Last year at this time, things were VERY different for me

I had lost about 45 pounds and was feeling pretty great about my accomplishment. I had been working out 5 days a week, religiously, for almost 2 years and really had my diet under control. Or, so I thought. Winter was out to prove me wrong. I woke up one dreary, cold, gray morning and thought

'One day off from the gym will be a good thing for me. I can drop the kids off at school and then come home to a hot bubble bath. I'll get back to it tomorrow.'

So that is what I did. Then the next day came. The darkness and gloominess of winter was closing in all around me. I was sure that my time was much more needed at home. After all, there was SO much laundry to be done!!!

'It will be fine. I can go back next week.'

Oh yeah, and I also decided that a Pepsi sounded really great. I had not drank soda for a year or so. Again,

'It will be fine. I can go back to drinking my water tomorrow.'

Day after day came and I found more and more excuses and reasons as to why I really didn't need to go to the gym, and why it was alright to TREAT myself to the goodies that I hadn't had in so long. (Soda, candy bars, donuts ...)  After all ...

I HAD LOST 45 POUNDS!! I DESERVED A BREAK!

Before I knew it, I had traded my fitted jeans for my draw string cozy pants and slippers. The crazy thing is that I didn't even acknowledge it! I was in serious denial as to what I was doing to my body. It's quite amazing how 1 day turned into a week, a week into 2, then into a month and on and on. In March of 2007,

 4 MONTHS LATER WITH 32 POUNDS GAINED,

and with Spring on the horizon, I finally took a long look in the mirror and wasn't at all happy with what I saw. Where did the ambitious, vibrant woman who could accomplish anything disappear to?! I had totally sabotaged myself. Fortunately, at that very same time, some women from the church I go to were organizing a BIGGEST LOSER competition and invited me to join in. This was EXACTLY what I needed. I am absolutely one who loves a challenge. I asked my sweet husband,Greg, to take some BEFORE shots and I decided that it was time to take back the control.

APRIL, 2007 ... 177 POUNDS!!!

I headed back to the gym and was so thrilled to be greeted by so many familiar faces welcoming me back. And no one even said

'DAMN GIRL! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU?!!!'

Even though they were probably thinking it. I began hitting my workouts hard and really keeping my nutrition in line. I understand that a proper food plan accounts for 80% of results, so I take it very seriously. After all, I want the best results I can possibly get. So, I use ISAGENIX supplements and nutritional cleansing products (www.createyourmiracle.isagenix.com) and I follow

CLEAN EATING guidelines (http://www.eatcleandiet.com/) both of which have made a world of difference for me. By August, 5 months later, I had already been able to achieve some pretty great progress and I actually won the BIGGEST LOSER contest!!

August 2007

This is where MyBodySite and the amazing people on here really came into play. I had met my initial goal of getting back to where I had been before my WINTER BLUES and now I wanted to see just how far I could take this body of mine. I get such great advice from all of the experienced bodybuilders and trainers on here and then combine that with the loving support, encouraging words and motivation from everyone else; how can a person go wrong?! Seriously, you all have no idea how much you helped me then, and continue to help me now.

 THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

February 2008

LIFE IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION.

None of us have ARRIVED. We continue to learn, continue to grow and continue to need each other. I look forward to learning more from each of you.

Your new friend ~Button