Transformation essay!!!

[jylfkanney]

I need some help ladies.  I'm in a contest where my transformation story could win me as much as $250,000.  I need to make sure that I've covered each of the points they've asked for in my final essay.  If you've got the time, please look it over and give some suggestions to help it be the best essay.  Thanks in advance.  Here are the points they want covered.

1. Please tell us about your entire transformation, including what has happened in your life since winning the contest. (Please include information such as how the transformation has changed your life, how your transformation changed the lives of people around you, and what has changed since you won the contest.)

2. Please tell us about any health issues you have faced in the past, how you overcame those during your journey, and how your health is today.  (Please discuss the emotional and physical health issues you overcame, as well as how your friends and family may have affected your decision to change your life.)

3. What additional fitness/Beachbody programs have you used since winning the contest? (Please include information like what kind of stuff you are able to do today that you couldn't do before your transformation, what you are able to do now that you couldn't do when you won the contest, etc.)

4. What obstacles did you overcome during your journey, and what obstacles have you faced since you won the contest?

5. How has your diet changed since you began your transformation, as well as since you won the monthly contest?

 

I was overweight since childhood.  I'd even gotten into a fight in first grade because someone had called me fat.  I had childhood asthma and was even excused from PE classes in high school for medical reasons (exercise induced asthma).  Once I hit adulthood it didn't get any better.  I was 230 lbs at my highest non-pregnant weight.  My portions were out of control and second helpings were not uncommon.  I spent most of my time at home sitting in front of the television with many nights consisting of a pint of ice cream before bed.  Whenever a group picture was to be taken I did my absolute best to hide.

 My turning point was when I was 6 ½ months pregnant with my second child.  I went to visit my dad and he told me "You don't even look pregnant."  That was a big wakeup call.  When I got home I started adding vegetable to my menu.  After my son's birth I began walking during my lunch hour three days a week.  I did this for 6 months and saw a 15 lb reduction.  My husband had seen the commercial for Power 90 and finally decided to order it.  We received it in the mail on Thursday and began the following Monday.  I figured out my caloric deficit and began following the eating plan immediately (i.e. smaller meals more often, lean meats, whole grains, Michi's ladder.)  Since winning I've tightened up even more on my food intake and even bought myself a food scale to help me ensure my portion sizes were accurate.

The great thing was that my husband and I were doing the program together.  After a while though he got busy and got out of the habit of the workouts.  Neither one of us finished that first round of Power 90, but I'd been on the message boards and saw that the couple that started the same day as us were finishing.  I knew that if we'd stuck with it I would be so much healthier.  I couldn't even do the jumping moves because of a bladder issue.  So I got my calendar back out, did the alternative low impact moves and set myself a new 90 days.  This time I dedicated myself to getting up in the morning before the kids got up, because I found that evening workouts could easily get skipped because I was "too tired" or I'd had a "rough day".  After I finished a full round of Power 90 I moved on to the master series, and loved the variety it gave me.  It helped me to Keep Pushing Play.  Since then I've completed Slim in 6, Turbo Jam, 8 weeks of P90X, and am now in the middle of ChaLEAN extreme.

 2008 for me was a roller coaster of a year, especially the first 6 months.  Let's recap.  My marriage was headed for divorce, my husband left me right before the new year, I was selected as a monthly winner in January as well.  God, Tony, P90X, and my online friends got me through the stress that January brought.  Our marriage was reconciled in February, but my workouts started to slide with trying to fix our marriage.  It was hit and miss for several months with my workouts, and that brought depression.  I knew what I needed to do but wasn't doing it.  Then I had a hysterectomy and bladder tack in April, and was limited to walking only for a month of recovery.  In May my son was diagnosed as having a sensory processing disorder.  God used my fathers statement to get me healthy so that I would be able to keep up with the activity level that my son needs.

 At my highest I was in a size 22 and am wearing a size 4 as I type.  I have confidence I never had before.  At 130 lbs, I've lost 100 lbs and over 50".  I've now got a workout group with some ladies from church, I can do the jumping moves of the workouts without worrying, I can do a pull up and "big boy" pushups.  The best part though is that I'm showing my children at an early age how to take care of themselves (with both exercise and eating).  My son even asks regularly if what he's about to eat is good for his body. 

 Eat right and Exercise, until winning I always thought of that as the hard way, but now I have come to realize that in all reality it's the easy way.  It's easy because all you have to do is follow the plan and you will get results.

[Smrtgrl96x]

Jan. 10, 2009 at 2:06 PM

Holy cow.  You've got a lot to be proud of.  I think this is a lovely essay.

[jylfkanney]

Jan. 10, 2009 at 2:33 PM

Thanks.  I'm a bit nervous about sending it in though.  I've got 11 other people in my age category that will be sending in their entries as well.  1 in 12 shot of at least being a finalist and winning $50,000, plus if I'm a finalist I have a 1 in 4 shot at the Grand Prize of $250,000.  It's just a lot at stake.

(Original Poster)

[ServinGsus]

Jan. 10, 2009 at 3:05 PM

I think it's pretty good =)  it's the first time I've heard your whole story at once, too, so WOW!

[ratchetlee]

Jan. 10, 2009 at 9:26 PM

I think it's wonderful.  Do you still have asthma?  If not then you should add that in there.  Other than that - pretty good.

Congrats.  I started over on Jan 1 - I have lost 10.5 lbs.  I am so excited.  I can't wait to have the story you do.

[jylfkanney]

Jan. 10, 2009 at 9:30 PM

Lisa, thanks for the WOW.  I appreciate it.

I don't have asthma anymore, thanks for helping.  I appreciate it.  You'll get there girl.  You're already well on your way Rach.

(Original Poster)