Samantha's Story

"On December 19, 2012, my primary care provider told me that I was morbidly obese (not her first or even second time telling me that) and that at the rate I was going I would be on dialysis at 60. She told me you are 33, you can change this for good. At that point, I was facing a 8.1 a1c, elevated blood pressure, and high cholesterol. I got in my car and I called my mom (RN) and read her my test results and said I need to be held accountable. My mom said, "it's a choice." I changed how I eat that day. It was a turning point for me. 12 days later I prepared to go to New Year's Eve service and as I dressed I told the girl in the mirror that I loved her but that clearly she was suicidal (because self-neglect is slowly killing yourself) I was leaving her in 2012 and that when the year struck again I wouldn't be in that century of weight ever again. I made a goal that day that I would lose 55.1 lbs by the time the year struck 2014. Also that night, I got engaged, so some people think this was wedding weight loss, but this is me saving my life. A few weeks later I began my first weight loss challenge (after being referred by the best nurse practitioner on the planet) where I thought I’d get some accountability maybe win some money. I did win but not any money. The challenge was where I learned how to eat better, have confidence in my athletic ability and where I gained the support of some amazing men and women. Prior to that challenge I lost 14 lbs on my own. After that 1st challenge, my total was up to 38 lbs. Since then I have worked hard and my goal got closer faster. I began a second challenge where the weight loss was slower and I struggled to maintain my high because of less gratification but I pressed on and I had off scale victories like shopping in new stores, hiking and kinda jogging outside. As of today, I am 55.3 lbs lighter than I was just under 7 months ago. I was so proud that today at the final day of my second challenge I met what used to be my goal weight. See what I thought was insurmountable is now attainable so in a week I will start my third challenge lighter, wiser, healthier, and with a new goal. Also I will start it with an A1C of 5.9, steady blood pressure, and desirable cholesterol levels. Thank you to people I’ve watched and gained inspiration from the tenacity and weight loss even when they didn’t know I was looking.  Thank you to those who pushed me and even some who pissed me off and were so tough on me that I cried, but you knew I could do it when I didn’t.  You have helped save my life. Thank you to my amazing fiancé who cooks almost every meal for me on Sunday evenings so I have no reason to eat the wrong thing and who loves me so well that I couldn’t help but be better."

Challenge Party Part 2

MORE PICTURES from the Party!!!  Here's Tracy!  She really rocked it!  She not only hit her weight loss goals, but also found that she really loves running!  She's doing great, did her first 5K and has plans to do more!  Work it, mama!

  Christina and I take the best SELFIES!  ha ha ha!  She is such a fun girl!  I'm absolutely thrilled that we've gotten to know each other and I must say that this lovely works her ass off, literally! 

 

Here Leah, Michelle and Wendy ham and cheese it up!  I just love the connections people have made!  Such a fabulous group of ladies!

Here's Karen...such A DOLL!!!!  Karen brought her whole family into this challenge and I think what inspires me most about her is just how family oriented she is!  She does the challenge mostly with her daughter, Brittany, who is not here at the party, but she has brought her sisters, friends, family, father, patients, etc.  She is such a motivator and good person to have in your corner!  xoxo

 

What can I say about this woman?!?!?!  She's incredible!  Here's Michelle.  She's lost over 115lbs in the year she's been with me in my challenges!  She's working hard and is a true testament that anything can be achieved if you work hard and push yourself to the limits!  Way to go, chicky!  I'm so proud and honored to be part of your journey and thank you thank you thank you for being part of mine!  xoxo

Challenge Party

 

Such an amazing group of ladies!  We had a lovely time celebrating the friendships built over the last 12 weeks (some more, as we've been together through several challenges!)

This is Samantha, her story is amazing!  I'll share more about her later!

Here is Jennifer!  She's a peach!  I've loved getting to know her over the course of the last few challenges.  She works really hard and does the best to set an example for her family!

 

This is Stephanie!  This challenge was IT for her!  She really took it by the reigns and got to work!  Way to go!!!!

Here is Wendy!  She's really hanging in there and taking the opportunity to learn and better herself through the challenges!  I'm so proud of her!

 

Here is our HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST, Leah!  Leah came in 3rd place in over a 100 challengers!  She's lost over 30lbs and is kicking ass!  SOOOOO proud of her!  She put together this lovely party and I could not be more thankful!  She really did a great job!

 

Look at her hotness!!!!  Way to go Leah!

Here's Renee!  She's become a friend for life because of these challenges!  I'm so thankful for her and count my blessings that our paths have crossed!

 

Here is Sarah!  She came in 2nd place in the challenge, having lost 60lbs and still going!  WOW!  She's saving her life and I'm so honored to be part of that!  xoxo

Another friend for life!  I've known Ann for almost a decade, but through these challenges we've gotten so close and really seen our friendship blossom!  She's amazing, in all ways!  Thank you Ann for being such a special person to me!

 

These three lovely ladies are simply awesome!  There's no other way to put it!  Jennifer, Karen and Stephanie demonstrate true friendship and support!  Love their energy and enthusiasm!  Way to work it girls!

Another Challenge Complete!

Last week my Spring 2013 challenge ended.  I always get so emotional on final weigh in day! I just cannot say enough how proud I am of so many of them! For MANY this challenge was the ONE! I've seen people struggle through, yet continue to sign up for future challenges, and just keep plugging along. My heart leaps with joy when I see that magical moment in a challenge when it just... CLICKS and that person puts their guts into the challenge and really sees results!

 

I have some newbies too and they came in strong and really devoted themselves to their health and fitness! Also, seeing those that have focused on maintenance...it is MUCH harder than you think! When I see someone reach a goal, I feel like I hit it too!

 

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey!!!! If you're interested in joining my Fall 2013 challenge, let me know. I'll start the sign up soon! xoxo

Love Yourself First

I had a long conversation with one of my challengers the other day. She was feeling frustrated that even though she's done AMAZING in this past challenge, negative feelings still creep in. She feels she has so much farther to go. I'll share with you, what I shared with her. BE CONTENT WITH WHERE YOU ARE in your journey. Take pride in how far you've come and have faith in how far you can go. Love yourself, no matter what that damn scale says. It's just a number. Focus on your health, your happiness, your friendships, and your family and remember how much you love yourself and deserve to be the very BEST YOU!

I still get negative feelings. One day I feel fit and trim and the next I can feel like a busted can of biscuits. Its very normal to feel that way; we are our own worst critics. What I try and keep in my focus, just like I posted last week, is that I love my body for what it can do and I love my life because it is filled with health, strength, love and perseverance.

Some of you may feel really down today, because you didn't reach your goal, you didn't do as well as you hoped, you should've, would've, could've. Well, guess what? I do not judge you. I love you because you tried. You tried to make changes, you tried to put your heart into it and you tried to be in this challenge... KEEP TRYING. It will happen for you when you have that "ah ha" moment and I will be here to cheer you on!

Love yourself FIRST, don't wait for the weight to come off to give that to yourself. Love yourself FIRST and the rest will take care of itself! xoxo

Inspire

I was asked to do a write up for the Inspire piece of Girls on the Run about my weight loss and fitness journey.  I wasn't sure what they were really looking for me to say, but this is what I turned in...I'm sure they'll tweak it as they see necessary.  :)

Several years ago, I found myself out of shape, uncomfortable and unhappy. I was a heavy set wife, mother of 2 and business owner. After an unfortunate event with a salesclerk in a department store dressing room (she asked me when my baby was due...I was NOT pregnant) I decided to start a "friendly competition" with a few friends. We each put $25 in a cash pot and set a date 12 weeks out with the idea that whoever lost the most body weight % would get the cash pot. It was amazing how this little challenge pushed us. So we kept the 12 week challenges going.

As I progressed in the challenges, I saw myself getting stronger, leaner, happier and truly enjoying sharing the success with others. I took my journey to the next level and competed in a Women's Figure Competition. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life, but I learned a lot about myself and how important it is to have a strong support system. I didn't win the competition, but I was definitely a winner because I learned what I could do for myself, I found support and encouragement from those that I love, and I proved to myself that I could do anything I put my mind to! The more people saw what I was doing for myself, the more they wanted to learn from me. My friendly challenges got bigger and bigger; friends inviting their friends and family and it just spread like wild fire through word of mouth. Now, several years later, I have over 125 people in the 12 week challenges. So how do the challenges work? Well, it's pretty simple... There is a small buy in fee that goes into the cash pot. The first week, you send in your starting weight on a digital scale and a "before picture". I tell people to take the picture in shorts and sports bra (women) or just shorts (men) This first step is SO emotionally difficult. What's the purpose of the pictures? Well, it's one thing to look at yourself and say, "ugh, I'm so tired of this" and it's another thing to take the picture and send to someone else and say, "ugh...here I am. I'm ready to change!" It's amazing to see and hear how apologetic people are for their pictures. That first week is so hard. So I tell people, " Do not apologize to me or beat yourself up. Just take a look at that person, say good-bye to those negative feelings and make a commitment to yourself to put your health and happiness first!" Easier said than done, I know. So after the pics and weights are sent, I give daily check ins, weekly weigh ins and challenges; both nutritional and physical. The group is essentially a competition, as the top three "losers" split the cash pot, but for most it is a support group that offers motivation, inspiration and keeps the focus on the ultimate goal of weight loss and fitness.

For some, they may only participate in one challenge, for others they have been in the challenges from the very beginning and tell me all the time that they will continue to do the challenges as long as I run them. I have seen weight maintenance, weight loss (anywhere from 5 to 150lbs!), fitness goals set and exceeded, and friendships formed and sealed! These challenges have kept me focused, connected me with others and have given me an outlet to reach out and inspire, motivate and support others. It seems each challenge gets bigger than the one before, and I reach more and more people. It really has come full circle. I'm happier in my life and I see the happiness and confidence in others as they set out to achieve their fitness goals. Throughout my journey, I have nourished myself not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. I've become a better wife, better mother, better friend and just all around a better ME. I've gained strength in what it means to love yourself and to give to others; this is definitely a lesson I want to pass on to my children.

Today, feeling tired yet exhilarated, I looked around and thought, "I love my body! I'm not perfect, nor do I look like some super model; I have crepe paper skin in areas, cellulite, dimples (not on my face!) and my abs aren't so easily visible. BUT I am strong, healthy and happy. I can run- feeling the morning air in my lungs, I can lift weights- feeling the life in my muscles. I do more and go harder than I could yesterday; I won't always be able to do that, so for today, I love my body and I love what it can do!

July 2009

July 2010

2013 Zooma

So here we are Friday afternoon at the Loews Hotel in Annapolis picking up our race packets/bibs.  I loved that Michelle and I went together and that we saw so many of the lovely ladies we run with (we call ourselves the Running Biznitches)  Here I am with Michelle and Kelly!  The race shirts are actually pretty nice and as always, I love going to the Expo and seeing all the running vendors!