This wasn’t even my heaviest. Another 6 months from here was when I decided that was enough. I was hobbling around when I got out of bed in the morning, had two surgeries for problems created by my weight, had fatty liver, and more warning signs of being on a fast track to self imposed disability and early death. And I knew this time that one more diet wasn’t gonna get me anywhere. Doing an exercise program just to punish myself for what I ate wasn’t going to get me anywhere. I needed to look at why I had become addicted to food, and heal that addiction, and commit to a sacred, sustainable, and enjoyable relationship to food and exercise. So while I was trying on different ways of eating and moving to get my body in shape, I dedicated myself to healing from emotional and compulsive eating. The inside work makes the outside work, work. And then I discovered @jennifernicolelee and her workout group @jnlgymvip - and my workout life changed forever. Instead of being “middle aged woman trying to lose weight” I became an athlete for life. She and the women in the group inspire and motivate me with the loving support we give each other, so I can coach my clients in recovery from emotional eating. And now I’m coaching, teaching, writing, and have become a fit over 40 (soon to be 50! Yay!) model. I’m healthy and healed in every way, and I’m #proudtobeavip