Annie

Female

31

Florida, United States

Certified Personal Trainer & Aerobics Instructor, and full time Mommy of 2 boys! :-)

Jul, 2007

My whole life I have battled with my weight. As a teenager or young adult, I had never owned, or worn a bikini or a miniskirt. I developed depression from being overweight, developed serious medical conditions, along with everyday stresses of life, I found comfort in food. After many years of this battle, I finally began my journey in July of 2007. I knew I needed to change, and it all had to start with me from the inside out. To find myself, and my path in life as a woman, & mother, I had to break free from my chains. I was being held prisoner by my obesity. So, I began my weight loss at a weight of 260lbs in July of 2007. I set goals, and my first goal was to lose 30lbs by my birthday only 4 months away. Instead, I lost 50lbs in 4 months! Then I decided for a much larger goal. I wished to lose 100lbs by my Anniversary date of July '08. Instead, one month shy of my Anniversary date, I lost 100lbs. Each goal, I exceeded my own expectations. Many asked how I did it. I didn't have surgery, or order weight loss meals. I didn't hire a trainer or nutritionist. But, took MY life into my OWN hands and designed my own diet, workouts and supplements. My low carb diet is now a lifestyle for me. I dont think I will ever go back to my ways of old ways of eating again. As of August 2009, I've lost 120 pounds! I'm still working on my goal, and I have another 20lbs to go!

Seeing the changes to my body. seeing the muscles develop and pop out, and seeing myself go from a size 24 to a size 8 in less than a year! I love the opportunity now to do exercises and things that I was never able to do while I was overweight!

I am my own motivation. I tell myself daily, that nothing can stop me. I have travled down a LONG, and bumpy path in my life. The battle with obesity is a tough one. And I know now I can do anything, for I have taken and overcome the HARDEST obstacle. For the hardest thing for me was to even begin. Now, I'm a new person. I have years back on my life that could have been taken away. Being able to see my clothes sizes change, buying sexy lingerie, and having the comments such as..."you look hot!!" That's encouragement! To have my children's two little arms wrap around my waist and hug me, has been the most rewarding. I look in the mirror everyday and know that I've added lost years back to my life. I've been given a second chance at a new life, with a new persona, and I plan on living it to the fullest!

I remember getting out of breath just by walking across the gym..now I sprint! I run 3-5 miles every other day,along with cycle 5-12 miles every other day and without getting exhausted! Weight Training is my life, and I fully design and execute my own personalized workout regimen, diet and cardio plan every 3.5 weeks.

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." -John Bingham, running speaker and writer