Juli-Anne

Age: 39

Lost: 43 pounds

Completed Program: July 2007

I will just start off by saying that being a mom of four is a full-time job. It is so easy to place all of your focus on the kids and their health, yet lose sight of your own. Prior to having children I had been accustomed to being very athletic and active; I had achieved a 3rd degree black belt and taught karate for eight years. However, I had spent the last ten years pregnant, nursing, or trying to get pregnant (and additionally had gestational diabetes with all of my pregnancies). It was incredibly frustrating - I didn't work out because I felt guilty about putting the kids in daycare and I didn't eat well because I was only choosing "convenience" foods.

Finally, I just decided it was now time for me. This was hard to accept, but I knew that I needed to address all of my issues - nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle - a program to hold me accountable and get me focused on how to be healthy all-around. I am the type of person who really needs to be held accountable for my actions, so this was ideal. The time commitment was the biggest challenge initially, but since most gyms offer childcare nowadays, this turned out to not to be an issue.

I really feel that now I am a better wife, mother, and friend… a better me. It wasn't only my weight that changed, but my whole body composition is different. I lost 17% of my body fat! I am more active with my kids, have taken up new sports, and revived some of my old recreation activities. All of my focus previously went to my husband and children; now that picture includes me as well. We make healthier food and activity choices as a family. Even a supermom needs a break now and again, and my workouts provide that decompression and stress relief. By the end of the 20/20 program, I am even categorized as "athletic". That's right, me, athletic.