CITYSunTimes Web Exclusives August 2009
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HEALTH & WELLNESS

SpotLite On Success
By Bronwyn Marmo

Starting Point:
My self-esteem was absolutely in the pits. I was not happy with myself at all. I had stopped caring and would just want to shovel food in my face. I didn’t realize how big I had gotten until people started asking me if I was pregnant.
My relationships were horrible and reckless at the time because I felt so bad about myself. I was engaged to a man who was going through some major troubles. All I could do was eat, drink and cry. I blew up like a big balloon. Then, I would stop eating and crash. It was a cyclical thing that went on and on.
I was thin growing up but once I went away to college, I started to gain weight. I then started starving myself by eating only an apple a day and drinking lots of Diet Pepsi. I lost weight but then I’d binge. I just wanted to sleep all the time. I hung out at home on the couch eating sweets and watching TV. The lower I sank the more I wanted to eat. I didn’t even know who the heck I was at that point.

Defining Moment:
Someone actually used the word “fat” to describe me. I pretended not to be hurt by it, but it got me thinking that I may need to lose a little weight. I joined a gym and at my free fitness assessment, I got a huge shock. I stepped on the scale and found out I weighed 197 lbs. My body fat percentage was 38 and my waist was 42 inches. I freaked out and had a panic attack. I went home and cried. I thought, “What have I done?” That was the point where I knew I had to fix it. I needed to get healthy and I was willing to do whatever it took.
The first night I worked out with my new personal trainer, she worked me so hard that I threw up in the parking lot. I also threw up when I got home. I laid down in bed and thought, “Oh my gosh, this is awful.” I didn’t want to go back, but I did.
I also had to make big changes in the way I ate. No more fast food. No more beer and French fries. I went through major withdrawals but it started clicking in for me about a month into it. I went full force for the first month and then I began to believe I could do it.
Even though I was still pretty heavy, my self-esteem shot through the roof. I was working out, eating well and feeling great. My trainer really kicked my butt into gear and kept me motivated.

Keeping It Going:
One of the ways I stay motivated is by carrying around my “fat” picture. I look at it and think to myself I will never be that person again. It’s not just the physical part of it – it’s also how I felt emotionally. I don’t ever want to go back.
It is harder than hard sometimes but I have to pick myself up and drag myself out. I don’t say anything specific in my head but all I can think about is remembering how low I felt when I was heavier.
I’m also doing this for my kids. I don’t want to be the mom who is huffing and puffing if I play sports or go on walks with them. Two years ago, I couldn’t have even gotten my bootie off the couch and walk around the block.

Biggest Obstacle to Overcome:
Finding the time to work out; that is hard as a single mother with three kids. I have very little time for myself. But I have to put myself as a priority. It’s not a choice for me anymore. I pencil it in on my calendar.

All the Right Moves:
I try to hit the gym at least four times a week at the very minimum. Three days I do a kick-boxing class. I love it. On the fourth day, I’ll do a group class with my trainer. We do some cardio, like spin for a half hour and then free weights. A few nights a week, I will also go back to the gym and do some cardio or weights.
I’m active at home too and I’ll fit in another workout or I’ll go running with my boys. I’ll take one day off a week.

Eating for Balance:
A sample breakfast is a four egg-white omelet with tomatoes, broccoli and a little bit of cheese. Then I’ll have a few grapes.
Snacks include two slices of turkey breast with string cheese or I’ll have yogurt with some almonds sprinkled on it. I pack my snacks and take them with me.
Lunch is a baked chicken breast on two cups of salad greens with cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli and a lot of celery.
For dinner, I am a big pasta fan so I’ll have some whole grain pasta with marinara sauce with really lean ground beef or some ground turkey. I eat lots of broccoli with it.
If I have a huge craving for sweets I will eat one or two squares of dark chocolate. I try to keep it light for the most part before bed.

Thrill of Victory:
There is no way that I would have ever thought in a million years that I could look and feel this good. It’s amazing to me. It’s a place I never thought I would be. I am so much more confident. I think I’m hot. There is no doubt about it.
My self-esteem and energy level are incredible. I can do so many more things with my kids. We are bouncing around all the time. I can now hike and bike. It’s a completely different place than I was. I am now making choices based on what’s best for me and my children. They’re no longer based on who is going to want me or who is going to need me.
I figure if I can lose the weight and overcome the obstacles that I did, I can do anything. There is nothing you can throw at me that I can’t deal with. Bring it on!

HEALTH & WELLNESS Web Exclusive | CITYSunTimes August 2009