Eight years ago when our daughter was born my world changed—completely and forever. While outwardly it was obvious that our family life changed, nobody knew her birth would be the catalyst for the most important personal transformation of my life—taking control of my health. When she was 3 months old, I became ardently determined and I made a decision… Today is the day I take full control of my health. Once I adopted this mindset, I never looked back. That was the day I started living my better self.

As an older mom, I knew I needed all the help I could give myself. Early on I could tell my daughter would be an active child, and I was not wrong! I needed all the energy and strength to keep up with that energetic toddler. Most importantly, though, I wanted to become the role model she needed—a confident, compassionate, strong, and healthy role model—one that she could be proud of. So I tackled the most urgent (and daunting!) task first—lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. At that point exercise was not on my radar, only my weight. So I started there. I was determined that success was my only option. I decided I to push hard until I regained control of my weight. I was determined like never before. Turns out, that was the key.

Nine months later I had done just that! I lost 30 pounds and was feeling great! Goal achieved! Now that I was feeling proud and accomplished, I was curious to see how much further I could push myself. If I came this far in 9 months, how much further could I go?! My competitive streak re-emerged. I took on fitness next. I started with dance fitness classes once a week and loved it! With a one year old who didn’t sleep through the night, waking every 2 hours, this was all I could handle at the time. I was delighted to have the energy for one class per week. It was one more step toward my goal of better fitness.

One thing led to another and eight years later I’m down 50 pounds from my original weight, a lifestyle fitness coach, exercising 7 days a week, at the low end of my healthy weight range, feeling great, have tons of energy, 45 and in the best shape of my life!

When I started this journey toward better health all I knew was that I needed to be healthier, whatever that was. Little did I know that each little step, each little push, would take me so far. Pushing for goals that were challenging but achievable at the time is how I got here—one goal at a time. If you had told me eight years ago that at 45 I would be 50 pounds lighter and in the best shape of my life, I would have laughed, because I’d never have thought that possible.

Taking control of my health has empowered me like I never imagined. It’s changed my life, and it’s changed the course of our family life. Now health and fitness have become one of my greatest passions. I feel so energized by this life-changing experience that I want to help others do the same. I want to help you start living your better, too!