By the age of six, I was overweight. 
 

Unlike today, there weren't many overweight children in the early 1970s.  I can recall only two girls in my school who I thought were obese.  I was one of them.

By twelve, I weighed more than 200 pounds and wore a size 16.  At age of 18 my weight climbed to 225 pounds.  When I reached 27 I reached 243 pounds.  I had spent nine years fluctuating between 180 and 242 pounds. 

I had already battled high blood pressure for years.  Now I faced a serious decision:  lower it with drugs or lose weight.  My blood sugar was also elevated.  If I didn't lose weight I would become diabetic.  I couldn't even walk up the stairs without feeling winded.

 

That was it; I knew I had to get healthy.

 

It took 2 1/2 years and lots of perseverance to lose and keep off 107 pounds.  I did not lose the weight in the healthiest of ways, however.  I often ate too few calories.  I wasn't pleasant to be around when I was dieting or trying to maintain.

Although I lost the weight, I was very flabby and tired all the time.  My body was so saggy and I was unhappy.  On vacation, I wore a bikini and my husband took a picture.  "Oh, my gosh!"  I was walking out of the ocean and looked bad.  My saddle bags and legs had so much cellulite and lumps, I couldn't look.

It took me four more years to join a gym and another ten months to hire a personal trainer.  Having a personal trainer helped me learn proper from and see results very quickly.  Personal trainers continually change things around so the body never gets used to the routine!

Finally feeling content, I plunged into learning everything I could about fitness and nutrition Program and passed with flying colors.

Then I studied for the A.C.E. (American Council on Exercise) certification exam and passed in November, 2007.