Healthies Member Spotlight: Monique D.

 
Before                           After

It all started with one little pedometer. . . .

I first joined Virgin HealthMiles in July 2008. I weighed just over 250 lbs and thought I could use a little motivation to help me start exercising. I hated being obese and always feeling bad. I was ashamed of how I looked, how much space I took up in the world and how little I could do.  After about a month in the program, I made a commitment to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

I changed my eating habits by eating healthy, nutritious foods at mealtimes, stopped "snacking" on junk food and candy, and eventually added in mid-morning and mid-afternoon protein meals. I am constantly amazed at how much I love the taste of fruits and vegetables that I would never have eaten before I changed my eating habits.

I started walking as much as I was able to every day. I would walk during my breaks at work, during my lunch hour and in the evenings. At first I couldn't walk very far, less than a 1/4 of a mile, but eventually that increased to a mile or two at a time and I started doing other forms of exercise. I joined Anytime Fitness and started working out at least 2-3 times a week on their cardio machines. In February 2009, I started learning Hwa Rang Do, which is a traditional Korean martial art. By August 2009, I had lost over 100 lbs. I now do at least some form of exercise seven days a week. I even started weight lifting last year to help me gain strength for my martial art.

Now people who haven't seen me for a while never recognize me now. I am in a constant state of redefining my body and improving my life physically, mentally and spiritually.

 

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Comments

[Betsy]

CONGRATULATIONS Monique!! What a great story!

[Alison]

Awesome Monique!! You make me want to do more! Inspriring!!

[Susan]

Monique, you inspire me!