For as long as I can remember, I felt fat.

 

My fondest memory of kindergarten was the orange juice & graham crackers at snack time. As I look at my school pictures I was always the chubby one in the class.

 

My mother and grandmother were wonderful seamstresses and made most of our clothes. I was the second of four girls and my patterns were the only ones labeled chubby. 

 

My three sisters all seemed to be normal size and weight. Size was not an issue in our family except for an older sister. When we would fight she consistently tormented me with “fatty fatty 2x4, can’t fit through the bathroom door.” I would come back with “I’d rather be fat than skinny like you,” but that was a lie.

 

When I was in 6th grade my mother must have been concerned as she took me to the doctor’s for a physical exam to make sure I was ok, as I was larger than most girls my age. I remember the doctor saying I needed to go on a diet. Within a few days I got caught sneaking cookies.

 

I remember plenty of snacks being easily accessible and I did love snacks, especially sweets.

 

In junior high I felt even heavier & more self-conscious; I was embarrassed by my inability to be thinner. I hated PE, was very self-conscious of my size, and did not like exercise.

 

I married my high school sweetheart. After our 2nd son was born at age 22, I remember being upset with my weight and going to a diet doctor, got pills & easily lost 20 pounds which I kept off for about 1 week. That was the beginning of my 50 year career as a yo-yo dieter. I lost 20 pounds more often than I can count, on every plan and diet imaginable, only to gain it right back with a few more pounds. I hit my high of 202 pounds a couple of times.

 

As soon as I would reach my goal I would return to my old habits including emotional eating with some binges included.

 

Things started to change for me when I got a Fitbit.

 

Walking became fun. I started to listen to podcasts, while I walked. I was motivated to change. The biggest change I made was my thinking. I got excited about wellness and taking care of me. In putting together all of the many things I had learned over the years and adding the right mind-set, I reached my goal weight.

​

I had more energy, loved exercise, and healthy eating. Enjoyed keeping with family activities including hiking and other sports.

 

I was so enthused about managing my thoughts and feelings that I wanted to share these life changing skills with others.

 

With a combination of nursing background, extensive studying, certification and an accumulation of life skills, I became a successful life/wellness coach.

 

I have confidence that I can teach you the skills I know, so you can reach any goal you desire!