Late in 2003 I wasn’t feeling well.  I was only 34 years old, but I was tired all the time.   I thought it was seasonal affective related, and my health care provider agreed—but made one comment: “It wouldn’t hurt to get off the couch and get some exercise.”

I wanted to feel better and took his words to heart. 

At the time, I weighed 235 pounds.  At just under six feet tall, I was way overweight.

I began walking on the treadmill.  I put in 20 minutes, then 30 minutes faithfully every day.  I began drinking lots of water each day…within weeks I began to feel lots better. 

By February (a few months later) I began lifting weights after work.  I was up to 45 minutes a day on the treadmill, walking hard enough to sweat.  By March I had students at school asking if I had lost a lot of weight.  The big “double x” sweaters and shirts began hanging on me.  I had lost 20-25 pounds within 3 months.

By the end of the school year, I was down to 190 pounds and feeling good.  But I wasn’t done yet.

I kept walking, 6 to 7 days a week—3 to 4 miles a day…hard enough to work up a good sweat.  But by late summer walking just wouldn’t do it any more.  I began running.  I couldn’t run very far to start-but eventually was able to run 30 minutes at a time. 

By the end of the year, I was down to 175 pounds.

The following summer, I began running local 5 and 10k’s. 

In May of 2006 I ran the first of what has turned into 5 full marathons and one “ultra” marathon of 34 miles..

I currently weigh 175 pounds.  I lost 60 pounds and have kept it off for almost six years.

My current students see pictures of what I “used to look like” and can’t believe it.

I used to wear XX and XXXL shirts and size 40 pants.  I currently wear L shirts and 32-33 pants..

It can be done.  What worked for me:  Exercise to the point of sweating, 4 to 6 days a week.  Drink plenty of water to “wake up” your body’s metabolism.  Lift weights 2 to 3 times a week to help tone your body and stimulate metabolism…And I tried to limit white flour, sugar, and pop…that’s it!  I still eat pretty much what I want—just reasonable portions…and in moderation.

Good luck everyone!