My journey began when I was getting my children ready for Christmas pictures and one of my daughters said she didn't want to take the picture this year unless I was in it. That was not going to happen the way that I looked. I was 70 pounds over weight and the camera was my enemy. I told her as much and she said "if you look around the house there are no pictures of us together”. It broke my heart.

But she was right.  If I was gone tomorrow there would be no evidence as to whom the mother of these four beautiful children was.  Nothing they could look back on when they were older and remember doing with their mother.  I promised her that next year I would be in the family Christmas picture.  I don't break my promises to my children, so I started walking on my treadmill that I had in my basement... after I dusted off 2 years of dust and  God knows what else.

Everything hurt - my feet, my knees, my back and walking up the stairs was difficult because I had gotten bursitis in my hip.  I felt like I was 90 instead of 42.  But I kept walking.  I also cut a alot of stuff out of my diet.  Sugar, alcohol, processed food and "bad" carbs: they were all gone.  I did pretty well on my own muddling through.  But then I read an article in the paper about a Boot Camp class and that's where I met Rachel.  After that everything changed.  I felt welcome and right at home during my first class.  Of course I couldn't walk the next day and my husband had to help me get into bed because my legs hurst so bad I wanted to cy.  But I went back and it got a little better.  The classes are amazing!!!  You get out of it what you put into it.  I am stronger than ever and have more confidence than I have had in the last six years.  

I also got a nutrition evaluation from Rachel.  I learned to have protein at every meal and that eating before bed is okay depending on what it is.  I always have cooked chicken, fish or turkey in my fridge portioned out and ready to grab at a moment's notice.  I eat more now than I ever did before it's just better food and actually helps my body rather than hurt it.

In November I could not fit into a size 14 and refused to buy the 16's,now I am in a loose-fitting 10 and I can hear the single digits calling my name!!!  I have lost 33 pounds, which is more than my youngest child weighs.  I know that I will hit my goal weight of 120 and my goal size of 4/6. When I hit the milestone of 30 pounds I bought myself a bracelet that says "it's not a spring, it's a marathon".  I know that I will eventually get to the finish line and that when I do it it will not end.  I have made changes that are sustainable and I LOVE working out. Those things will not change.  I could not have done it without Rachel.  She checks in with me all the time and encourages me to do my best in and out of class.  I will never forget that!!!

Dori