All my life, I was never “skinny” girl.  I wasn’t overweight either, so I guess I was just “normal”.  I was a baton twirler from the age of 6, competitively from the age of 15 or so.

10 years old - 1986

HS Senior Picture - 1995

We traveled around the country competing in competitions.  I moved on to college and twirled my freshman year at the University of Toledo.  However, even with my active lifestyle, I also gained the Freshman 15, and then some.  When it came time to start practice for Sophomore year I was embarrassed.  I knew I could never wear the outfits that were expected, without embarrassing myself, or the team.  So instead of working at it, I quit.  I convinced myself it was because I was too old to be twirling baton anymore.

I graduated college, got a real job, and moved out of my parent’s house.  This is where the real downfall occurred.  I was working out, but still gaining weight due to the excessive eating and drinking every weekend.  I didn’t understand why I was gaining weight (in my head I knew, but was in denial).

2000

I got married to my high school boyfriend in 2000, and had my son in 2002.  I was at my highest weight ever, and, besides for my son, I was miserable.

Cleveland Zoo - 2003

It was at this time that my husband at the time and I split.  I started running to take out my aggression and signed up for my first race!  It was hard, and I still remember the chaffing I experienced from my thighs rubbing together so badly, but I finished and was so proud.  I was immediately hooked.  I joined a gym and never looked back.

I lost about 35 pounds on my own, but then met my now hubby, and relaxed my eating habits drastically.  You know how it is when you first starting dating, you’re eating out a lot, having drinks, and just enjoying getting to know each other.  Well, that relaxing added up to me gaining just enough weight to feel uncomfortable again.  And, it just so happened that my best friend was getting married that year and she wanted to lose some weight before the wedding, so we joined Weight Watchers together.  We were both so successful, and at our lowest weights ever!

NYE 12/31/2007

This weight was really hard for me to maintain, though.  It was a very strict lifestyle, and not very fun.  I ended up gaining back about 5 pounds or so and was at a very happy, healthy weight.  I got married at this weight, and was SO happy with my wedding pictures!

Wedding - 10/25/2008

Honeymoon - Turks & Caicos

My life has been a journey of ups and downs in terms of weight.  Since my wedding I have gained about 10 lbs or so.  I know a few pounds of that is muscle because I teach Group Power at the gym, and my upper body is the strongest it has ever been.  But not all of it is muscle!  I’m working now to get back down to my happy weight, all the while training for another marathon that is coming up on October 17th.  It’s all about balance, right? Exactly what this blog is about.

I want to be at a weight that I can maintain easily, and also be happy with myself.  It’s a constant struggle, but something that I am learning to handle better every day.  I always try to remind myself that I am the strongest and fittest I have ever been in my life, and that is something to be proud of.

Thanks for reading my blog, and following my story.  It’s not over yet!

Cleveland Marathon - 05/16/2010