In February of 2005, I injured my lower back while playing with my two children because I had become severely out of shape and overweight. This was the big turning point for me. I had gained over 70 lbs during each one of my pregnancies (both of them ending with C-Sections); my second child had just turned 1, and I was getting fatter every day! I stepped on the scale after my back had healed; I weighed 255 lbs! I was fat n' happy, but not healthy (weight-wise). After hearing about some cruel things being said behind my back AND to my face by several, mentally-ill monsters about the weight I had put on, I realized then that I needed to get back in shape and quit putting myself last.
I joined a gym a few weeks later and began with an hour of cardio on an elliptical/treadmill, first thing in the morning (early afternoon was MY first thing in the morning...LUCKY ME), on an empty stomach. I did this 7 days a week from the end of February until the end of July.
In August of 2005 after noticing the weight I had lost, a personal trainer (who just happened to be an ex-convicted-armed-bank robber, who ended up stealing financial information from me when he signed me up) encouraged me to add in some strength training! Once I picked up those weights, I was instantly addicted! I continued on my own with an hour mix of cardio and strength training; by the end of November 2005 (9 months later), I had lost a total of 85 lbs!
I craved a more defined, muscular appearance after stumbling across bodybuilding.com's forums AND BuffMother's (Michelle Berger) bodyspace in October/November of 2006. So, I cleaned up my diet, focused more on lifting, and cut back on the cardio. During the next 2 years, I lost another 25 lbs for a total of a 110-lb weight loss! I experienced an incredible mind and body transformation. I found my passion!
I love being able to sculpt my body like a piece of art; it fascinates me! Working out keeps me calm, centered and confident. This lifestyle gives me an outlet for the enormous amount of energy that I have!