In August of 2006 I was standing at my kitchen counter listening to the health segment on the TODAY Show. The entire month of July was the hottest on record for northern California and it was the first time that I had felt uncomfortable in my skin.  The extra weight that I had put on over a ten year period finally screamed out at me:  I WILL NOT GO THROUGH ANOTHER SUMMER FAT. I had also just been to the doctor for my yearly physical and she said that I was in perfect health except for the weight; but that if I continued to keep the weight it may not be the case next time around.

All that I remember from the health segment was that there was this gal with a strange armband on called a bodybugg that gave all kinds of feedback about how she was moving and burning calories. I had an aha moment; YES!  I logged on to my computer and ordered it that very day!

My journey since then has been profoundly humbling....Here I was, an educated health professional and thought that I knew it all and practiced what I preached. My excuses for the 40 plus pounds of weight gain over a ten year period, ranged from sport injuries, menopause ( that was a big one..... and got all kinds of support from my girlfriends) sedentary jobs, and  emotional issues with food just to name a few. I was really desperate when I tired to blame my mother for giving birth to such a large baby (I might have been eligible for the Guinness Book as I was almost 16 pounds when I popped out!) So of course over the years I blamed it on too many fat cells from birth!

There was a missing link somewhere and maybe a reason that I was not privy to, as I have exercised for the last quarter century and even taught exercise classes in the 80's during the big hair and shiny leotard era!  I have great nutrition and have taken many classes over the years and knew that probably the answer is that I just eat too much and anticipated that the biggest challenge with the program would be the food.

Boy was I wrong!  My mind/body connection was still in the 80's I thought that since I WORKED OUT every day at the gym, that box was checked.  After wearing the bodybugg for a couple of weeks I was shocked to see that the workout slot (an hour) was a small portion of the overall calorie expenditure for the day!  FINALLY the real missing link surfaced.

I had to do some serious evaluation of what I did (or really what I was not doing) during the rest of the day.  I found the daily goal of burning calories to be the most challenging, but at the same time empowering. I took a look at my lifestyle and was able to make small changes throughout the day to meet that goal.  It was challenging and creative at the same time.  I did not want to give up my core values of solitude and the rather quiet life that I have here in the mountains.  I have come to realize that I now put more energy and thought into all of my activities throughout the day, however menial they may appear,  and as a result of this, I have become a more mindful and spiritual person.  My mind now has a deeper connection with my physical self.  I celebrate the moments that I can physically work hard.  As a result, I now actually go to the gym less, work out for a shorter period of time but a whole lot smarter and more mindful.  Every moment of my workout has my full attention and I have been able to increase my calorie burn by about 20%!   I celebrate eating food, finding new recipes and enjoying an evening out with the girls or my family.  I have more flexibility to do things on the spur of the moment with my family and friends.  It is liberating!

My lifestyle has changed on a profound level that goes beyond counting calories and steps and logging food.  The education of the bodybugg program has empowered me.  The passion that I thought I had before is now authentic and the integrity has indeed humbled me. The journey continues to open up many new possibilities, friendships and changes.

A special thanks to Christine Hall [bodybugg coach] and all my friends and family who have supported me throughout this journey.

Staring weight: 171

Current weight: 128

Current Body fat:  23.5%