Hello all, welcome to my Sparkpage!

In January of 2006, with 5 months until my wedding (and 6 months until my 30th birthday), I decided to make over my life and try to get in shape for the big day.

I didn't have a ton to lose, maybe 20-25lbs., but it felt like a lot at the time. I have always been pretty active, and was always a tomboy as a kid. I loved sports and played lacrosse, soccer and softball in school.

However, after college, as life and work ...

Hello all, welcome to my Sparkpage!

In January of 2006, with 5 months until my wedding (and 6 months until my 30th birthday), I decided to make over my life and try to get in shape for the big day.

I didn't have a ton to lose, maybe 20-25lbs., but it felt like a lot at the time. I have always been pretty active, and was always a tomboy as a kid. I loved sports and played lacrosse, soccer and softball in school.

However, after college, as life and work got in the way, I slowed down with my activities, and started to eat more and more junk. I don't enjoy cooking, so fast, prepackaged, unhealthy meals became a way of life for me.

Over time, my weight crept up to around 140lbs, which, for my small 5'2" frame, was not flattering at all. The thought of lying on a beach in Hawaii on my honeymoon, with my current figure, did not excite me at all. So, with the help of a coworker, I vowed to get in shape.

I borrowed the book "The Abs Diet" by David Zinczenko (editor of Men's Health Magazine) from my coworker, and read it in about a day. It all made sense to me.

It explained the correct foods to eat, and why, and which ones to stay away from, and why. At the time, I had no clue what trans fat or high fructose corn syrup was. There was so much I needed to learn! The book also stressed eating smaller meals 5-6 times a day, which was great for me, b/c I love to eat! Any plan that wanted me to starve myself was not going to work for me. It also stressed the importance of exercise, especially strength training. There were workouts and recipes to follow, which made it easy for me.

I followed the program as best I could, and with the addition of tracking my calories here on Spark, I lost around 15lbs. by my wedding day. I contined to track and lose after the wedding and honeymoon, and at my lowest weight, had lost a total of around 25lbs. in all. I've since decided that that weight was a little too low, so I gained 5lbs. back and am now in a healthy weight range for me. I have kept the weight off for over 2 and a half years now.

Since that January day in 2006, I have accomplished so many things that I never thought possible. I learned to knit, snowboard and surf right before I turned 30. After turning 30, I took up running, and have since completed around 20 or so different 5K races, three 5 mile races, three 10k races, a 15k race, two half marathons and my first duathlon.

I have also completed my first sprint triathlon, which was a miracle to me, considering that two years ago I couldn't swim one length of the pool correctly.

At the age of 33, these last few years have been amazing, and truly the best of my life. I've done so many awesome things (including marrying my wonderful hubby) while taking control of my health and happiness.

I can honestly say that I've never been happier and more content with my life and in my own skin. I'm not perfect, but I accept that, and realize that overall, I'm very blessed and have a lot going for me.

I now look forward to overcoming challenges and obstacles, and am excited for the new things I'm going to accomplish. I know that I can do anything if I put enough effort into it. Sounds cheesy, but it is so true!

So good luck to everyone with your own personal journeys. Don't give up! Leading a healthy lifestyle is truly difficult, it takes effort every single day. But it is so worth it in the end!

Read More About SHORTY20 (Updated February 8)

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