Member Spotlight: Sara

Hi, I’m Sara, and I’m February’s winner with 12 lbs lost last month (23 total since January 1)!

I joined this group in January with very little hesitation. I know where I am physically; my mirror and scale don’t lie. I am extremely blessed to have a man in my life that loves my body the way it is… but I don’t. And I haven’t in a long time.

I have joined “loser” competitions before, on a smaller scale, and for shorter time frames. They worked, but I always gained the weight back. I think the reason for that was the short time periods: crash diets and crazy exercise doesn’t work long term.

But I keep joining because I crave competition. It is one of the only things that drives me… even to the point where I have been accused of being “too competitive.” But it’s what I need, and I know it! Thank goodness I have good friends that are willing to be friendly competitors with me!

I have struggled with my weight on and off all of my life, from being bulimic as a teenager, to just giving up the “purging” part as an adult (an unfortunate side effect of bulimia). Binging has always been my downfall. I have also always had a problem with boredom eating and obsessing over food. I still do. But now I’m trying to keep things like frozen grapes and plain popcorn around, so when I do eat out of boredom, I’m not adding an extra 1000 calories a night.

Every single day is a struggle. Getting up in the morning early to go to the gym is easier when I know that people are waiting for me and will be upset if I’m not there, but I won’t lie, there are days when it’s easier to sleep in. I’m just praying that I have more days that I want to get up and go.

Winning is great, but that isn’t my ultimate goal. My ultimate goal is permanent weight loss, and looking good in a wedding dress in September. Better than good! With 23 pounds lost so far I’m off to a good start…45 to go.