In 2005 I decided to do a marathon with my friend for health & weight loss and also wanted to know more about it. And so, I joined a running club for local runners (Loma Linda Lopers). Sometime after joining, I saw one of Karla’s ads and I thought, why not? Though I had never done anything like that before, so I took a chance. I saw this woman in Karla’s ad, she was older than I and she had transformed her body and was wearing a bikini! And I thought “I want that! “so, I called Karla. My primary goal was to get into a bikini!

The first 8 months, I resisted what Karla suggested. And then one day I decided to just do what she says. So, I did what she said for the nine following months and lost 24 more pounds and got into that bikini!! After that, I was hooked! I loved the way it made me feel after I worked out and I loved the way I looked in clothes. Karla later said to me “why don’t you compete”, so… I did two figure competitions.

Okay, first, I was a marathoner, then a competitor. People don’t realize how hard your first show is. You’re not just a woman in a bikini! It’s 80% diet and then 20% exercise to even get to be a competitor. On the day of competition, you have to pose on stage and you have to come to terms with yourself. You have to beat the stage fright. It was quite a challenge but I did it!

Right after the competition, I was in the best shape of my life, and then in 2009 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Here’s where the story of the lifestyle really begins….

When I was diagnosed with cancer it was pretty hard. But I was bound and determined that I was going to use that lifestyle and I was going to use that determination that was inside of me. I knew what it took to work hard. I was not going to let that cancer “get me down” and I didn’t! I kept at it. I went to the gym and I decided that I was going to keep my lifestyle. So, what did working out mean? I got on that treadmill with my do rag and no hair (thanks to the cancer treatments). I wanted people to see that even if you’re sick, you could still go on and meet your goals. I trusted my new lifestyle and stayed true to the food and exercise!

Yes, it’s true there was some major depression, and it can really mess with your head! But because of all that, I got through it. I’m telling you with my heart that if it had not been for Karla and the education, the lifestyle tools and constant motivation, I might be telling a different story. She gave me the tools I needed, and I did the work. The clean eating and exercise worked for me and I’m telling you, it can work for you also…

I’m lucky I am a survivor by six years. I also could not have done it without the support of my fitness friends and my best friend. I had great support. Use this to your advantage. Within this program, you push yourself and it’s all about you and you can use it for whatever you need. It doesn’t matter what age you are. And it really doesn’t even matter if you have cancer or not.
I mean, this is my story. Yeah, I would love to just not even tell you about my cancer, but it my story. Remember, I already had a transformation before I was diagnosed with cancer. The lifestyle helped me get through the cancer and I’m still here today, doing the lifestyle and I’m still eating clean, and I’m cancer free. Yes, I’m still working out and the reason why you need a coach is so you are held accountable. Because let me tell you when I do it alone, I notice I can get really lazy!

So final words…give yourself permission and the opportunity to be involved in a program like this. It’s a lot different than the usual fitness places. Karla cares and I’ve known this lady for a long time. She was there for me and can be there for you!