I always felt like I was overweight my entire life and that I had no control over it. I felt like I was just destined to be heavy or chubby and that was my body type- and I had started to accept this. I had always wanted to lose weight like many others but had always failed miserably… 5-10 here or there. I did lose some weight after my college sweetheart broke up with me, but that was not recorded… I didnt own a scale but I can guesstimate that I was above 200. Being 5’2, 200lbs is a lot of weight to carry around. I remember finally being at about 190-195lbs when I moved into the city after college.

Being a serious biology student in college and having a long term boyfriend at the time, my free time was spent studying or seeing him. Fresh out of college, living in the city, and single- I found myself going out more. Going out to eat or going out drinking. I was known as the party girl in my group- the girl that would always say yes to hanging out.

It wasn’t until I met Andrew that everything changed. Before Andrew I had plenty short term boyfriends and heart breakers… but not anyone who was ready for a serious relationship. Andrew and I started dating and things moved quickly. We shortly after dating a few months moved in together.

I always felt like I was “fit" even though I was over weight. I could run a mile or so with no problem and liked lifting weights when I went to the gym. Andrew and I did P90x for a few weeks and I lost 10 lbs and kept it off… but stopped the program and didn’t lose anymore. Time went by and I felt sad/unhappy with my health and body.

I had started to transition Andrew and I over to a more “whole" foods/clean eating diet. I slowly got rid of all of our processed food and replaced it healthy, whole foods. Once that was transitioned before you know it, he and I were staring his first deployment in the face. Weeks were going by quickly and his leave date came fast. During those weeks we had several late night talks about what we wanted to accomplish while he was away. Though he wouldn’t be here, I didn’t want to be sitting on the couch becoming BFF’s with betty crocker. I told him that I was 185lbs and wanted to be down to 140lbs (some random number I pulled out of my head) by the time he came home. And no- I am not losing weight for him- for ME! I just wanted a time sensitive deadline, Ive always worked better under pressure. Plus he met me when I was heavy and started dating me then. Anyways… I was nervous telling him my goals because I didn’t have much self confidence that I could achieve them. He told me he had a “hunch" that I could do it and look amazing. So- March 10th 2013 I dropped him off at Ft. Meade and cried the entire way home….

Days later… I decide wow- I have a lot of free time on my hands in the evenings (by saying it was a lot- it wasnt much, I was coaching gymnastics part time, taking a class and working my full time job)… but without him it seemed like the nights were endless. I started going to the gym for an hour or two. I started with about 45 minutes of cardio and then lifted weights.

Fast forward to August 2013. I am now down to 155lbs! Thats about 45 lbs from my heaviest at 200lbs in 2010. I go to the gym anywhere from 5-6 times a week. I love to run. I completed my first 10k race in May and hopefully plan to train for my first half marathon in October. I also love lifting! I LOVE TO LIFT HEAVY! I have a crazy woman crush on Dana Linn Bailey and she is my lifting inspiration! I am 15 lbs away from my original goal and will re-evaluate once I get there what my new goal will be. I have about 6 months until Andrew comes home, so that’s plenty of time.

This weight loss journey has forever changed my life. I couldn’t have done this without Andrew’s love, support, encouragement and the occasional “kick in the ass". He believes in me when I don’t believe in myself. He is my rock and I love him to death.

My journey continues and changes as time goes on. Currently I have a 4-5 day muscle split (depending if I decide to do two leg days or chest) and I do cardio about 5 days out of the week. I live by the 80/20 clean eating rule. I have changed my lifestyle completely. I eat healthy about 80% of the time and indulge 20% of the time. I don’t see it as a diet but my way of life. I still enjoy those cheeseburgers, cake and fries, but in moderation. I hope to inspire those who don’t think they have the power to change because I was that person once and I was able to change my whole life. I am so much happier now than I thought I was drinking and going out all the time- don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy the occasional beer every now and then, but it is no longer an every week situation.

--