Happy 6th Birthday to ME! WHAT?!?!

I am so excited to be writing this entry in my blog!

This week, I celebrated my 6th Birthday!

I know some of you are like Happy 6th Birthday???  WHAT???

On September 16th 2008, I took the first step on my journey from obese and unhealthy to healthy and fit.  I’ll be honest, at that time, my main objective was to  NOT inherit all of the health problems of my family.  My Mom passed away in March 2003, 6 weeks before my wedding, after a life full of diabetes, heart issues, kidney failure, and spending the last 8 months of her life on dialysis.  She was my best friend.  But after her death, instead of immediately learning from it, I actually went from obese to morbidly obese.  I started drinking more heavily.  Smoking more and more.  And moving less and less.  I was letting my depression and negative outlook on the world take over my life.  At that point, I had had 3 major back surgeries including a lumbar spinal fusion in 1999.  I had found out that I was NEVER going to be a Mom, and I was crushed!  I had struggled with depression all of my life, but that blow set me into a downward spiral that I did not think I could recover from.  But in 2008, I had experienced my first REAL health scare when I started experiencing more and more colon problems.  I have endometriosis, and have always had issues since the outside of my large intestines are where my extra tissue resides.  But this was different.  And I was told that a colonoscopy to look for colon cancer was my next step.  I was terrified!  When it came back 100% negative for cancer, I felt this was me being handed a wake up call!

Over the next few months, I tried to figure out my next step.  My FIRST real step to health and wellness.  I continued to start diet after diet EVERY Monday, but nothing seemed to work.  But on September 16th, I decided to reach out for support and took my first steps to health and fitness.  That was the day I started to REALLY live!

The last 6 years has been an interesting ride to say the least.  I lost 125#, ran a marathon and several half marathons, started weight lifting, got certified as a Zumba instructor, dappled in MMA and BJJ, and have even done a National television spot that aired during the Biggest Loser on April 19, 2011.  Along with starting this blog, training others, entering a contest in Muscle and Fitness Hers, being featured on Polar USA and fitbie.com, and becoming a Beachbody Coach, which is helping me make fitness not only a hobby and passion, but it will soon be my career and my LIFE!

My life has not been, and never will be, the same as it was 6 years ago.

So, as I said….HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! 🙂

MAKE today GREAT!!!!