I was back at my hometown gym the summer following my junior year of college. One of the guys who worked at the local gym approached me… (I had known him for years as I had worked as a lifeguard for the gym for 6 years, starting in high school). He inquired, “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“Shoot”, I said, assuming he might comment on how often I was at the gym. I was used to comments regarding the frequency of my workouts. However, I was not prepared for his question.

He bluntly asked, “Every day you seem to kill yourself working out, yet you gain weight each time I see you…why do you think that is?”

Since the 7th grade I had swam laps in the morning for over an hour, and whenever I did not have basketball and volleyball after school I had gone straight to the gym for a 6 mile run. I did this 2 a-day workout routine religiously, rain or shine, from 7th grade to 12th grade. My freshman year of college through my Junior year I had done 2 if not 3 workouts a day. One in the morning, one at night, and whenever feasible I would fit one in during class breaks in the afternoon.

Surprisingly, I had been overweight since I was about 12 years old and just as this guy pointed out…my weight had just gotten consecutively worse. My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I was put on the spot. I wanted to tell him how hard I worked, how little I ate…but feared he would call me a liar as many doctors had in the past. I had a fear of hospitals because I was always lectured on my weight and called a liar when I informed them of my exercise regime.

I was asked if I knew what a calorie was in a condescending manner. In fact, I had been counting calories obsessively since I was in the 6th grade. I remember leaving the doctor’s office in tears on several occasions.

I grew up in a house that did not have sugar, didn’t eat real cheese, didn’t eat red meat, basically living off fruit, vegetables, and lean poultry. I started to explain. He cut me off…he said frankly, “If that is true, then you are not eating enough. Your body believes it is starving, and therefore holds onto everything/anything you put in your mouth. For two weeks, try eating when you are hungry(stomach grumbles) and add more protein and eat healthy fats. Do not weigh yourself during this time to avoid discouragement.

In addition, take 3 healthy meals, but break it up into 6 snacks, no matter what…try to eat a minimum of 6 times a day”.

At this time I had grown from about 130 pounds when I was 12 years old, to a whopping 189 pounds as a 20 year old although I had increased my workout time year after year. I have a 5’ 4” frame and I knew I was not healthy. As much as I was a “fit” fat person, I knew I was not healthy. So I gave it a shot…

And that is when my transformation began…. When I think back to every yo-yo diet I tried: - Celery, carrots, and V8 only - Only apples and dry salads I once only had 2 protein shakes a day for 3 weeks straight (lowest weight ever but weaker than weak) I stI starved myself, I binged, I purged. All these years or torturing myself and putting my life on hold when all I needed to do was feed my body the fuel it needed to jump start my metabolism and supplement my activities. I realized I could eat more frequently, work out less, and was shedding all the weight I had packed on over years of self-torture.

This man freed me and I hope with my story, I can inspire anyone ready to take the voyage to obtain healthy eating habits and a healthy lifestyle. I am not someone who grew up “never having to work out” or “eating fast food” that had success when starting to exercise or eat healthy foods.

I am someone that learned that exercise alone doesn’t work. Healthy foods alone do not work. The key is finding something you can maintain for a lifetime. This means incorporating a mix of healthy foods, not ignoring hunger pains, giving your body carbs, fruits, veggies, protein and yes, even the fat it needs. Eat small amounts to fuel your body whenever necessary, rather than gorging on huge portions.

There is no magic pill that works for everyone, or no one would be overweight. It is a personal commitment to always be vigilant about keeping your health a number one priority. To this day, I wake up in the morning to ensure I have my morning workout (before anything else can get in the way). To this day I still prepare my snacks for the week every Sunday and to this day I still fight temptation everyday. For more information on Healthy Eating and Exercise visit us at www.myeatinghabits.com