I have struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. I have tried every diet and weight loss plan imaginable, usually doing very well, but then slipping back into old habits. The last time I attempted a huge weight loss was for my wedding in 2014. I have always been able to drop a lot of weight quickly, but this time was different. I was running a business that caused me a lot of stress and I believe that to be the cause. I ordered my dream dress 2 sizes smaller, confident that I would be able to get into it when the time came. I worked out religiously, trained with a trainer, and kept a strict diet. Unfortunately, three weeks before my wedding, I had to buy a sample dress because I did not fit into my original dress. After the wedding, I felt so disappointed in myself that I gained back the weight I lost plus an extra 15. A few months later, I was forced to shut down my business of 4 years. It was so devastating. I felt like someone died. I didn’t leave the house for a week. My business was something that I worked so hard for and built from nothing. Immediately after that, I became pregnant with my son, who is now 2 years old.  For the past 2 years, I have been going on and off of diets, never succeeding, but knowing that I need to be healthy to keep up with my son and to be a good role model for him.

In May, I walked out of a job, drove to Life Time and handed my resume to the Lifespa. I started working as a massage therapist there, and it became even more clear to me that I needed to be healthy for myself, as well. Massage is my passion and is what I was born to do. Every day I strive to heal everyone else, but I forget to take care of myself. Being in an environment with so many fit people is intimidating. I didn’t want to go out in the club to promote myself because I didn’t want people to see me. I felt so out of place. When I heard that the next 60-Day Challenge was coming up, I could not wait to start. I completely changed my eating habits. I cut out gluten, grains, sugar and dairy. I started doing the TEAM classes. I had my first TEAM Burn class with Brent and immediately knew it was a perfect fit! I do not think I would have made it this far without him, and I am so grateful for that. I knew that I was going to do this and lose a ton of weight, and on top of it I was going to get into my original wedding dress that I never could wear (I know it’s weird, but I have a wedding dress obsession). I was sure that I would drop this weight fast and be in that dress by the end. As it got closer to the end, it became clear to me that I wasn’t going to lose enough to get into the dress, but I was starting to feel amazing, becoming stronger and more fit, and gaining some confidence back. I started to change my thinking that this is a journey and a lifestyle change, and it is going to take time. I am older than I used to be when I could lose 40 pounds in 2 months, but I am doing it the healthy way, and I will get there eventually. I will continue to do the 60-Day Challenges until I am in that wedding dress and until I am at the goal weight that I want to be. I want to be healthy for my son and be the best mom that I can be. I want to be healthy for my clients and continue to do my best work. This is not the last you will see of me.