I reached my maximum weight of 405 lbs being in a violent relationship with my first husband and running to food for convenience.

I made up my mind to join F.A.T Gurl Fitness when I saw Jamie’s story on Facebook. After reading it, I told myself that the time had come for me to take control of my life.

I started a 5 week challenge with F.a.T Gurl Fitness at 317 pounds at the beginning of the competition and finished at 284 pounds.

My overall experience was great I will not lie and say it was not hard I'm dealing with a terminally ill husband, I had to first fix myself emotionally to keep going. While in the challenge the condition of my husband worsened and I found days where I wanted to eat my feeling away. That's when I heard Jamie's voice telling us we shouldn't give up. If I could say something to everyone, do not allow shame to prevent you from participating in the challenge.

I got to my heaviest weight because I deal with depression and tended to eat my way through my emotions. I joined a F.a.T Gurl Fitness Challenge. During the challenge I went through a lot of trials in tribulations. I won’t go into details but one thing that I found out about me is that I am stronger then I give myself credit for. Normally I would just give up and consequently I would have gained everything back plus some.. Everyday. I Refocus and Reboot because it’s a daily walk. What ever happened yesterday is over and done with so let it go. Focus on today and let tomorrow take care of itself.

Well for starters my heaviest weight overall was 243lbs and that was due to 2 divorces, 3 babies, the lost of my father, grandmother, work stress and not loving myself to the fullest. When I joined the challenge I was at 231lbs

that was contributed to not being consistent on eating healthy, not exercising, the stress of trying to have a long distance relationship, realizing that I was carrying a heavy load at work, running myself very thin and not taking the the ME TIME that I needed. I definitely needed structure from within and discipline.

I joined a F.a.T Gurl Fitness 5 week challenge because I needed to prove to myself that I can do it and that I needed too also push myself from within. I lost a total of 17.6 lbs and 6.5inches from my waist.

This experience has been a eye opener for me. I truly have a better mindset of how to focus on me and acknowledge myself for doing a great job. I learned to pat myself on the back

and for being commited to holding myself accountable for what I eat and drink. Knowing that there are so many women like me in this group I fed off of the inspiration of my other sisters who have joined the challenge