Q: Why did you decide to commit yourself to a 12-week+ transformation?

A: When I signed up with BFL Tracker, my baby was 2 months old at the time, and I had gained 75 lbs during my pregnancy. But more than needing to lose weight, I needed to rebuild my muscles which became so soft and weak during 7 months of very strict bedrest!! I came accross the BFL Tracker, and was inspired by so many hard working and dedicated people.....

Q: What was the hardest thing to overcome during this time?

A: Disciplining myself to lift weights and exercise routinely.....

Q: What helped you get through this change in lifestyle the most?

A: To be honest, I'm still working on that part...

Q: Was there a particular area of your body you wanted to improve most (chest, arms, legs, etc)? If so, what did you find most beneficial in achieving that goal?

A: My main concern was to build strength in my legs. They were so terribly weak! Walking, stationary bicycling, stair stepper, lifting weights all helped build strength, muscle, and tone up my legs...

Q: What is/are your favorite new healthy meal(s) that you incorporated to achieve your goals? Please include recipes if necessary.

A: I have an EAS milkshake or protein bar for breakfast, a tuna sandwich in pita bread for lunch and a very healthy meat, vegetable, starch (potatoe/rice), and a big salad for dinner. My weakness is midnight snacks! I'm a bit of an insomniac, and I get bad hunger pangs late at night if I'm still awake....

Q: What is your favorite exercise that helped you lose weight and maintain that loss?

Walking, walking, walking!! Very fast and very far! Even when it was raining, cold, or I just plain didn't want to!!!

Q: What did you do when you felt the most temptation to either quit or cheat to get past it?

A: Well, I never thought about quitting. I just get back on track as soon as I'm ready... I allow myself some "indulgences" other than on my "free day", otherwise, I start thinking about whatever it is I'm craving until I finally give-in and gorge on it! If I permit myself to give in to my cravings, I only allow myself a small piece.... So, that craving is snuffed out!

Q: Now that you've achieved your goals, have you maintained the same workout and diet or have you modified them to keep the results you've gained. If so, what changes have you made?

A: I haven't ahcieved my ultimate goals yet... I like my current eating habits (except for the midnight snacks!), I think I'm eating pretty healthily for the most part... I still do a lot of cardio like walking, stationary bike, etc. I'd like to take it a step further and really start pushing myself! Maybe even go to aerobics! My downfall is that I lack discipline on weights. I'm considering hiring a personal trainer to get me more serious about weights and help teach me the discipline I need.....

Q: What have you done since achieving your goals that you were not able to do before?

A: I am now taking English style riding lessons!! I'm enjoying it so much! I think the past 7 months have helped me to not only lose weight, but strengthen my muscles and gave me balance so I can ride a horse without hurting afterwards! A friend is taking lessons with me, and her entire body hurts!! She's amazed at my stamina!!!!! I never thought I'd start riding horses at 38! I'm considering jumping as soon as I'm good enough!!!

Q: How has achieving your goals changed your life?

A: OH!! I am soooo much more confident! Happy!! Outgoing!! Active!! I feel sexy!! Pretty!! You name it!! This has been great for me!

Q: Do you have any advice for others currently working towards their goals or having troubles getting to them?

A: Don't give up or quit! Don't even consider it an option!!! If you are like me, and start obsessivly thinking about having a pizza or something, and it's NOT your "free day", go ahead and allow yourself 2 yummy slices (NOT 3, 4, or 1/2 the pizza!!), but eat them with a HUGE salad!! Don't consider it "cheating", that's negative and seems like you failed. No one wants to fail!! Think of it as a "naughty" little induldgence that you're going to walk off later by walking harder and longer!! Pretty soon, those cravings become less and less!! And know what motivates me the most? Trying on clothes! When I'm able to toss out the "big" one's and graduate down a size, it motivates me to try harder!