1. I used to look like this. In 2006, I graduated from my BSW program (undergraduate) and realized I looked like THIS. Finally, something hit me, and I joined a gym. The first time I went to the gym (with best friend, Stacey, in tow) I got on an elliptical and COULD NOT FINISH 5 MINUTES. I went home and cried. A lot. This time, however, I went back the next day and it led to a weight loss journey of 114 lbs. Pretty much a whole person. Without Stacey working out and helping me cook, and my Mom giving me her advice (being that she also lost a significant amount of weight – I think in the 90-100lb range), I would not have been able to do it. Thankfully, I did have them – and I was able to get down to a healthy weight without a program, surgery, or any major health complications. This doesn’t stop me from having continuous body image issues to this day. When I look in the mirror, I pretty much still see this girl. I don’t know how to change that. 
2. On June 13, 2010 Casey and I completed our first Triathlon together! For those who don’t know, that is a swim, bike, and run. We completed a sprint triathlon – which was a 1/3 mile swim, 13 mile bike ride, and a 3 mile run. I vowed in my wedding vows to Casey that we would complete one, and we did! We plan on doing another one this year. In fact, we just entered training again. It’s good to have a goal to work toward, or I find I get very easily lazy in my work-outs!
3. My Dad and I danced to “Walk Like an Eygptian” at my wedding. It may not be your typical father-daughter dance, but it was important to us. Why? Because every time that came on in our living room when I was little, my Dad would dance around with me like a big dork. I always told him that someday he and I would dance to it at our wedding. I’m pretty sure he didn’t believe me. This was the look he gave me when my slow father-daughter dance broke into the Bangles! Then! The whole family got involved. It got a little dicey and ended up looking like this (see above)
4. Casey and I were on the TODAY show!!! On August 4, 2008 (I think) we were hosted by Joy Bauer, Kathy Lee Gifford, and Hoda (I’m not sure of her last name). I wrote into the show because I had lost over 100 pounds without surgery or a program. I was accepted onto the show and asked if Casey could join me, because he also had lost over 100 pounds!! It was a totally surreal, amazing experience. We were flown out to NY for one night, two days. We were then featured on our local station for their “Fit at Five” series. That story is here. The one on the TODAY show is no longer available by the web. It was nearly 3 years ago, I suppose! 🙂
5. I never thought I’d be working with kids. But I am. And most days, I really love it. Most of my adult life, and most of the time I’ve spent working, I’ve always worked with adults in the mental health field. When I graduated with my masters degree, I basically took the first (well, technically, the second) job that was offered to me, because I needed money. BAD. They took a chance on me, because I had never worked with kids. I guess I took a chance too. You never know where life’s road will lead you!
