<-- This girl is on FIRE

Good morning everyone! I think that it is my turn to share my story. I should warn that I can be long winded so I will try to include lots of pictures to make it easier to get through :P

So back in 2009, when I began logging my food occasionally, I had been diagnosed with an "inflammatory disease" that my Dr was trying to diagnose. I was also on a multitude of anti-inflammatory meds and due to limited mobility the weight was creeping up quickly. I was seeking counsel from my favorite foods and moving less and less. I moved when I could but it was always with trepidation because I knew that I would suffer as a result.



To make a very LONG story very short... I was eventually diagnosed with Lupus and we needed to control the flare ups that were relentless. No matter the amount of Prednizone they gave me I couldn't control the swelling. I was taking a cocktail of 20+ pills in the morning and still suffering... I was losing control of my body and my mind and I had concluded that amputation might be the best alternative... and I requested that of my Dr. That is the day my life would begin to change... he decided to try me on an IV medication called Remicade and regardless of the side effects I was willing to try it! At this point I was not living anyway... and so my journey began:



The medication began to work within the first six weeks and when it did I vowed that I would move as much as I could WHILE I could... So I was kayaking, hiking, doing C25K and biking. I was doing what I could everyday but still nervous about putting in too much effort. The flareups continued but were less aggressive and I was feeling stronger! Finally in January of this year I decided that 2012 was going to be my year to get my body back... I took the dreaded BEFORE pics:S



I lasted one month and then a flare-up pushed me off the wagon and I did not regain the mental strength to continue until I saw a picture of myself from a company social event. I had started cycling again in May and was feeling stronger and thought that I looked great because I felt great... but this picture proved otherwise and I found a renewed strength and passion to carry on. I started cycling to work two to three days a week (52 kms return) and began to improve my time and felt stronger every day. I was inspiring others to do the same... I was making strides but the scale wasn't moving much.

Then I decided to do something drastic, I decided to cut out carbs and lower my sugar intake. I began a protein-rich diet and the weight started to melt off. Ok, not melt but my exercise and diet were finally producing results! Since July 11th, I have lost 36.6 pounds and went from a size 14 pants to a size 8!



In August there was a period where the weather was not cooperating with me to cycle so I decided to start a round of P90x and on December 2nd I finished it. I am down 21 pounds from P90x and I am getting stronger every day. I am leaving you with a series of before and afters from this round... thank you for reading my story!









I clean up ok too



For those of you who have honored me with your support you now understand why I always say, "MAKE it a great day and MAKE IT COUNT"... it is on us to make today what we want it I am gonna kick *kitten* today, whatchu gonna do?