by Brenda G. Corbett

I am overweight and have a poor self-image.
I am a stereotypical “yo-yo” dieter.
I struggle with the urge to use extreme, unhealthy measures to lose weight.

These statements no longer apply to me.

Through concentrated effort, I am finally free of an unhealthy attitude and lifestyle.

About four years ago, I made a commitment to get fit. The first year, I used only the elliptical machine at my local health club.

A trainer approached me one day, convincing me to incorporate strength training into my routine. I was nervous about lifting weights in the “guy’s area,” so the trainer allowed me to work with him for several weeks, alongside one of his clients.

Another year went by and I grew comfortable in my cardio and strength training regimen. In a gym environment, ”comfortable” equates to hitting a major plateau. I was losing motivation and becoming depressed that the weight was still not off.

That would soon change.

I saw a fellow gym member and remember thinking, “I just want to look like her,” as she strolled by one day. Fortunately, she was open to chatting about fitness and nutrition when we would pass each other in the locker room. She always had inspiring words and helpful tips to offer.

When this new acquaintance of mine was hired as a trainer and created “Girl’s Night Out,” a boot-camp style of class for women, I was extremely excited. After a couple of weeks, I told her that I’d affectionately nicknamed her class “House of Pain.”

The group of women who met twice weekly for the class became a family, connected not by blood, but by our sweat, our struggles, and our accomplishments. Our trainer gave us the most important lesson a trainer can give – the ability to train ourselves. When “Girl’s Night Out” ended, each woman had gained the knowledge to plan and execute a total-body work out.

Most of my adult life has been spent as a size 14. There was a time when I truly thought, “This is the weight at which my body is comfortable.” All that changed as I found someone who pushed me to the limit and then pushed a little more.

Her instruction embodied more than just exercise. She demonstrated that a woman could be strong, yet feminine. She taught me how to maximize food for fuel, while still allowing myself to enjoy it. She encouraged me to simply eat healthily and not diet.

My life will never be the same.

This year I relocated to a different part of the city and changed gyms. As with anything one does for a long enough time, healthy living has become a habit for me. Instead of being afraid to continue training on my own, I have new pride in the fact that I am capable of creating a fitness and nutrition regimen for myself as my needs change.

I’m now down to a size 6 and actually wore a bathing suit in public (with no T-shirt covering it) for the first time this summer. Liberation!

The most rewarding aspect of it is that I did it the right way, without pills or harmful fad diets. I maintain my physique now with a structured fitness routine and nutrition plan. You will still see me eating the occasional cheat meal on the weekends… but what’s life without pizza?