May 2019: I was tired. I wanted to sleep all the time. I had no energy to do anything for more than a short period of time. I was trying to redo our bathroom ceiling and had to take several breaks because I just couldn’t do it. I had back problems. It got so bad I would cry in pain to even walk. And my knees just ached. I knew I was unhealthy, but I was in denial.

You see, when I was younger, I was always the heavier kid. My siblings used to tease me and kids at school would tease me. But, I made up for it. I would prove them wrong by being active. I could do a lot of things skinnier kids couldn’t.

So, here I was, in my 40s thinking the same thing. If I really wanted to, I could. I was just lying to myself.

My father died at the age of 59 of a massive heart attack. That was almost 10 years ago. My mother, now 69, has had a heart attack. I just figured it was in my genes, that I, too, would have heart problems. So, after my blood pressure wouldn’t come down after my last pregnancy, 7 years ago, and they had to change me taking one blood pressure pill to two, it was no surprise to me. It wasn’t even my wake up call.

It was May 2019, that I decided I needed to do something because I just generally did not feel well. I had tried dieting on my own, I had tried turning on some YouTube workout videos, and we own a treadmill and elliptical (both of which sat collecting dust). So, I reached out to a friend who seemed to have found an answer for herself. And so began my journey.

I remember those first days. They were awful. I started an exercise program and it made my entire body ache. I went to bed and would wake up through the night because it hurt to move. But, I knew I had to give it a chance.

What really hit home for me: my daughter, who was 9 at the time, said to me, “Mom, how long are you going to do this one for? Seems like you start exercising for like a week or two and then stop.” It was an innocent question. And the truth.  That was my turning point.

Since then, I showed up every day. Sure, I have taken a rest day here or there, but my life, as I knew it, was completely changed.

I first made the commitment to 3 months. I gave it a fair shot. It was transforming. After those first couple of weeks, I didn’t hurt as much any more. When I started, I was limited because I just could not do the moves, but I knew if I did my best, no matter how small it seemed to me, it would be better than what I had been doing, which was nothing.

After the 3 months, I made a full year commitment. My back problems were completely gone. Those problems are a thing of the past.

And the best news ever: in November (6 months after I started my journey), l had my annual doctor appointment. He was so impressed with my progress and how my blood pressure was, he wanted to monitor it for a month. So, in December, it stayed excellent, so he took away one of my blood pressure meds! And he continued to monitor it. So, at the beginning of January, it had remained so good, he discontinued my other med. So, I have been med free for almost a month and my last blood pressure check a few days ago was 114/72!

I began this journey weighing in at over 250 pounds. As of yesterday, I was at 219 pounds and have lost 25 inches! I still have a long way to go. This journey has just begun, but I am living proof that getting healthy after 40 is possible!