Nearly 3 years ago, I woke up one day with one foot "asleep". Later that day my other foot fell asleep. Within a day or so I was numb from the waist down. I also felt very out-of-it and had problems with depth perception and dizziness. I was hoping it was just a pinched nerve or something. When I tried to go faster than walk I had a dull pain in the middle of my back. I also had a strange sensation when I bent my neck down. After a battery of tests at the prompting of my friends & family, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I had a hard time walking due to the above symptoms. I was very scared

Here is a picture of me shortly after having my 3rd baby. I was 155 pounds. I soon discovered "The Atkins Diet" and lost about 20#. I thought I could go off the diet and began eating the way I used to. Totally out of control. I felt like I was on a runaway train. I could not help myself. My husband would be gone at work and if there was half of a pan of brownies in the kitchen, it would be gone when he got home. I felt horrible about myself, had no energy, and did not know what to do about it. I gained back everything I lost in record time.

In April of 2002 a dear friend of mine challenged me to see who could lose more weight by Memorial Day Weekend. That was all I needed. Since low carb had worked so well for me before, I picked it back up again. I won that challenge and have not looked back since. By fall of 2002 I had lost 30 pounds, but I still felt quite flabby.

I had been a member at a local gym in the past. The thing is, I have a hard time leaving the house if I don't have to for some other reason. To pack up the 3 kids and go, with my neverending list of things to do here, did not find me at the gym as often as I'd like. I let my membership go way back in 2001. I've never been very athletic. I recall in school, doing everything that I could to get out of gym class. I never could keep up with the class.

This photo was taken right about the time the weight loss challenge started.

One day while surfing eBay, I decided to order a 4-pack of Tae Bo tapes. The Instructional, Basic, Advanced, and 8-minute. That was one of the best things I've ever done! At the end of January 2003 I put my first tape in the VCR. The instructional tape. That was not too bad. The Basic tape, I thought I was going to die. But I liked it! I could not get through it for a couple of months but eventually pushed myself through. I've been working out 4-6x each week, right here in my living room, since then.

I've gone from a snug size 14 and 155# to a size 5/7 and 123#. I feel strong now, and have lots more energy. I find Tae Bo to be a very fun exercise that I look forward to each day. It has become routine now, and I have added a library of Tae Bo tapes along with a freestanding bag to aim the kicks and punches at. I have some defined abs for the first time in my life. I can look at myself in the mirror without getting upset. I still have the post-baby stretched belly that I'm dealing with, but ever so slowly, even that is going away.

I don't believe I will ever go back to eating sugar or starchy foods. I don't think they are good for people. I eat a lot of meats, cheese, vegetables, some fruits, and nuts. Any "diet" that allows steak & salad for supper, followed by a Splenda-sweetened cheesecake, works for me! I can even bake a cake without sampling it. No food tastes as good as being thin feels.

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions! I hope that God blesses you today!

-- Andrea

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