My Journey

The Early Years

Throughout high school and college, I maintained my weight by being active. I had always participated in sports (soccer, tennis, and track) and enjoyed exercise (running, skiing, and dance). While exercise kept my weight down, my eating habits were terrible (beer, nachos, few veggies) and my weight stayed steady at 140-145 lbs.

Putting on the Pounds

After graduating college, I took a job at a marketing and promotions agency, where the atmosphere was young, fun, and social. Happy Hour and late nights were regulars in my life, and all of the cocktails and bar food pushed my weight over the 150 mark.

Turning Point

For New Years 2004, a bunch of friends and I took a ski trip to Killington, Vermont. The vacation was such a blast; I still have great memories from it! However, I remember looking at photos of myself after the trip, and was embarrassed by how much weight I had gained, especially in comparison to my college friends, who had actually lost weight since graduation. Around the same time, I started graduate school and a part-time job at a health club. While my position as a “Front Desk Associate” was boring at times, I was able to do my homework and use the Club’s facilities for free.

Before:

 

A New Life

Prior to beginning graduate school, I left my marketing job, where I was constantly tempted by an unhealthy lifestyle. With a free gym membership and new outlook on life, I was finally able to take control of my weight. I started exercising at the Club most mornings, taking Body Pump (an amazing workout!) and spinning classes on a regular basis. I also made some new friends, who were avid runners, and began running and participating in road races with them.

In the summer of 2006, after a lot of hard work, I finally had lost a little over 20 pounds, from my highest weight of 153 to around 130. Since then, I have maintained my weight (even lost a little), which ranges from 126 – 129, but realize my eating habits still need some improvement, specifically increasing my intake of fresh produce. Today, my focus is on healthy eating, wellness, fitness, and happiness.

After:

Read about how I found my Feel Great Weight on Health.com.