This Spotlight will definitely motivate and inspire you. This has been one spotlight, I knew was going to happen soon. Hitting under 200 lbs. from 296 lbs. is such a amazing accomplishment (1oo lbs.weight loss any day now). Christy, never gave up and doesn’t plan on stopping here. I so love that about her. I knew this day would come; she is on fire! She did it the healthy way AND has established new “healthy” habits which are now automatic for her. She had a transformation BOTH inside and out. This is truly a lifestyle for Christy, I am SUPER proud of her.

Here is her story…

In 2002 I moved from New York City to Tampa, Florida. I had survived 9/11 and needed a change desperately. I worked for a while but then opened a retail business.  After some tough years of owning and losing that retail business at age 40 I had to start over in my career. I downsized to an apartment and started over.  In December 2012 I was working at a retail store and we were having a private party.  A customer came over to congratulate me on my baby and asked when the baby was due. I was not pregnant.  I was devastated.

I went to my doctor and found out I weighed 296 pounds and had metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is borderline diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.  I already took pills for clinical depression which I have to take for the rest of my life which put on weight artificially so I had another major strike against me. My doctor offered to give me pills or refer me for weight loss surgery.  I was having severe joint pain and stomach issues.  My blood tests showed that my inflammations levels were super abnormal and high. As a result, I was tested for Celiac disease, Lupus, Arthritis, Thyroid disease. The medical tests came back negative but I knew it was just a matter of time before something happened.

I decided on that day to not take pills or have surgery but to get healthy on my own.  I applied for and won a free year membership to the Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Wellness center.  I was mainly doing water aerobics and some light weight lifting.  I started on my food journey by giving up diet soda which was very hard.  I also started my journey on gluten-free eating but was not really eating clean. I ate out a lot, mostly fast food, and ate frozen diet meals for lunch. My stress level was high due to my job and I was drinking wine on a regular basis.

After the year was over, I decided that I needed more of a challenge in my workouts.  My friend suggested the 21-day belly blast at Get a Grip. I started on December 1, 2013.  I was still very overweight and found the classes and the meal plan difficult.  My BMI was a 48 which is morbidly obese.  I struggled through the challenge, but loved it! I saw great results and was so proud of myself for getting through it.  My boyfriend Rob gave me a gift of a 3-month membership that Christmas to GAG. I became a full-time member after that and participated in most of the challenges for the next two years.

After every challenge, I went down in weight, inches, BMI and body fat.  I kept a record of each of my challenge results and have them on my refrigerator to this day.  I learned how to eat clean and cook healthy, delicious meals from participating in the GAG challenges.  I really learned how to go gluten-free and eventually gave up coffee and alcohol.  I learned the value of managing stress – so much so that I became an independent contractor and started working from home.  I went to boot camp class, yoga class, pub runs, and walked daily.

Now, I walk 3 miles a day and still get to boot camp class, yoga class, class and pub runs. I’ve had my share of set-backs along the way, some of them major. Now, January 2017, I’m weighing in at 199 pounds and my BMI is down to 32.  I have high goals for my future. In 2017, I want to reach my goal of getting my BMI down to 25 which is considered healthy. I could not have done this without the love and support of my GAG family especially Coach Carrie Kukuda.

I’m truly blessed and on my way to great victories this year!

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What an amazing transformation BOTH inside & out!

I am SO excited to see this year for Christy! Congratulations, Christy!