My Story:                                  

When people ask me how long it has taken me to lose over 160 pounds, I tell them “all my life”.   I weighed 322 at my heaviest.  Now I weigh about 160 pounds.  I had tried many times to lose weight.  I remember going to Weight Watchers when I was in junior high.  I tried Nutri-System in college but I didn’t like the food.  I went back to Weight Watchers and lost but gained it back.  I moved to Florida and tried a hospital-supervised liquid diet and lost.  I then moved to Atlanta where I began traveling and eating out.  The pounds crept back on, plus more.

In 1999, I was going through a difficult period in my life and was being very judgmental of others’ lifestyles.  It occurred to me that I needed to look in the mirror.  I weighed 322 pounds, smoked and never exercised.  At that point, I joined Weight Watchers and made my final commitment.  Soon after that, I met my current husband and my life instantly changed.  I was truly happy for the first time in my life.  With the support of my husband, I quit smoking and started exercising.

I started out doing triathlons in 2004 at an Indoor Triathlon at the Spears Family YMCA.  That next year, I entered my first outdoor triathlon.  There was a sign at the bike transition area that said “Athletes Only”.  I had to stop for just a second before I realized that I was an athlete.  It is quite an amazing thing to think about.  I never thought that I would consider myself an athlete.  Now I'm hooked.

This year, I finished my first Ironman race at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho!

My Qualifications:

USA Triathlon Certified Coach

Level 3 USA Cycling Coach

Registered Yoga Teacher

Yoga Steps™ Certified Yoga Instructor

AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor

YMCA Certified Get Real Weight Management Instructor

YMCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach

FitTour Certified Cycling Instructor

Ironman Finisher!!!