The hardest part of being overweight for me, was that I
never had the problem as a child or teenager. For most of my life, I
never weighed over 150lbs, and at 5'11", I was pretty thin. I played
soccer, ran and was very active throughout college. My family had a strong
attachment to food, you were happy- you ate, sad- you ate. Socializing and
any event must relate to eating. It was just a part of our life. My senior
year in college, my mom was diagnosed with brain cancer. For eight months
we battled it though chemo and radiation. During her second surgery she
hemorrhaged and went brain dead. I picked up many bad habits during that
time, when my family pretty much fell apart: eating, drinking, smoking and
spending way too much money.
When I look back, I see a cycle of over eating behavior. In the mean time,
I met my husband. Who loves me while I'm skinny and overweight. It took me
several years to bulk up to 225. I tried so many diets and would fall off
them. The year we got married, I had to have been on 10 different diets
and pills to loose weight before the wedding. In a year, I lost 20lbs. and
immediately put it back once we were married. At that point, I resigned
myself to the fact that I was obese and would always be that way. The
crushing blow came from my ob/gyn, when she said that we should not try to
start a family. The risks were to high with my health, which directly
related to my weight. Then, I got mad that my weight was making decisions
for me.
Initially, I was too embarrassed to go to a gym. I had ballooned so big,
that I couldn't imagine working out in front of people. I kept hearing
what a great place Roxanne's was and Rose's reputation preceded her. I put
off coming to the Studio numerous times, quite intimated by the Boot Camp
sign in the front window. I kept picturing someone meeting me at the door
repeating the slogan "We want you!!!". I finally went to my first yoga
class with Rose. From then on I was hooked, yoga was to me a combination
of a workout and a massage. I felt the next day in my abs that I had done
something. But yet, my back-which always hurt didn't, my knees were
okay. And, most importantly I felt good. I liked it so much, that I signed
up for a year. I just felt that yoga was something for me and I moved some
of my work schedule around. I started off slowly once a week and then
built on it. (My first goal was just to make it through a full
class). Then, I tried one new class and then another. Until, I tried them
all. I started to get to know some people, so when I fell off the step or
tried something different I had people to laugh with. It became
comfortable to work out and I saw myself changing.
I have lost 16lbs and two sizes, since joining in August. I don't really
consider myself an after, just a during. My before pictures remind me to
take small steps and not be discouraged. If life gets to crazy, I give
myself time off from the gym. But, the important step is too make sure I
go back. I actually miss it when I'm gone for a few days. I enjoy when
people make comments that I have lost weight, but the main focus is on me-
being healthy, feeling better and having success. My short term goal is to
lose ten more pounds by January, this will be when I get the yes or no to
try for a family. My long term goal is to loose thirty five pounds by next
Spring.
Thank you for having a place that gives such a variety of classes and in
such a supportive atmosphere. I always know that I can ask questions and
be sure of an educated answer. You tailor your place to meet everyone's
needs and that is why I am successful.
- Sue
Roxanne's Studio 630-978-1149
630-978-7008 (fax)
Academy of
Dance
3450 Montgomery Rd - Suite 19
Aurora IL 60504
The hardest part of being overweight for me, was that I
never had the problem as a child or teenager. For most of my life, I
never weighed over 150lbs, and at 5'11", I was pretty thin. I played
soccer, ran and was very active throughout college. My family had a strong
attachment to food, you were happy- you ate, sad- you ate. Socializing and
any event must relate to eating. It was just a part of our life. My senior
year in college, my mom was diagnosed with brain cancer. For eight months
we battled it though chemo and radiation. During her second surgery she
hemorrhaged and went brain dead. I picked up many bad habits during that
time, when my family pretty much fell apart: eating, drinking, smoking and
spending way too much money. 
