I am not 100% sure how to start my story...Like many of you I have always struggled with my weight, then at some point in my 30's I lost the struggle and things got out of control. I loved food and I loved eating, but I overindulged all the time. If I was happy, sad, stressed or bored I would find a reason to eat. I would stay up late and eat ice cream out of the container, pretending if no one saw me then it would be ok.

I am here to tell you that I was completely entangled in captivity to an unhealthy relationship with food. I am 24 years old. I would say that for the first 22 ½ years of my life, I never thought about the consequences of the food I was putting in my mouth. Now, I always was overweight and I loathed that aspect of myself, but I never understood the deeper bondage brought on by my addiction to food.

Wow. As I write this testimony the words nearly fail me. I cannot even begin to describe the transformation that God has worked in my life through the Grace and Strength Program and losing weight. It took me approximately 1 year to lose nearly half of my body size and go from a size 22/24 to a 4/6. Tears come to my eyes as I write 4/6.* I never thought I would be that girl, the one who could lose weight and be successful.

I had the pleasure of coaching a wonderful woman, dear friend and super mom, Lora! When Lora and I first met, we had many things in common. She was my daughters Occupational Therapist at the hospital. Since my daughter was a very frequent visitor at the hospital...it was like we were instant friends. Our daughters had very similar issues but with very different diagnosis'.

My journey with Grace and Strength begins with God. Eight months prior to being introduced to the program I buried my little brother due to heart disease and my mother was diagnosed with diabetes. The wake up call was loud and clear, and the flashing red lights were blinding- I NEEDED to change. Having a brother pass away at the age of 29 scared me to death! I didn't want to be next! I was asking myself, "Where do I even begin?" The task of weight loss seemed so daunting. It was paralyzing.