When I was 500lbs, I wanted to become a bodybuilder.  I really can not explain why at first other than the fact that their bodies were on the opposite side of the spectrum that mine was on.  I soon realized the discipline to a lifestyle, (i.e. dieting), training, self motivation and commitment were the keys to bodybuilders success.   

  
I was often asked how I ended up at 500lbs.  The only way I can explain this…Food was my addiction, just as alcohol is to an alcoholic.  I found myself in an abusive relationship that threatened my very life. I felt that the only thing I had control over in my life was the food.  I had lost complete control over my life  If I really concentrate, I can not remember a time in my life that I was trying the new diet or pill on the market. Nothing worked because I was not identifying the root cause of my addiction to food.  Society today has made it so that we believe that there are quick fixes out there to help you lose weight, without changing what you eat or without exercise and hard work.  This is NOT true! .  There are days that you will have a road block in front of you.. I really feel like those road blocks that are put there, are there to show how bad you want it.

So I lost my first 250lbs, through diet and exercise.  I then started doing more research about what fitness athletes ate and what their diets consisted of. So I started eating egg whites. Taking the time to separate the yolks from the eggs. Monica Brant is my biggest fitness role model and saw that she used Lana’s Egg Whites. Lana’s Egg whites really takes the guess work out of it, and the convenience of them being a mom and business owner made my life SO much easier! I lost my last 100lbs by incorporating Lana's Egg Whites into my diet.  It became more than just eating like a bodybuilder, they became part of my everyday meal plan as well as my families.  Open my fridge…were you looking for soda?  Sorry, all you will find is chicken, gallons of Lana's Egg Whites, broccoli, and some steak for that special occasion.

I never called it a diet because I guess in the past, all of the other “fad diets” NEVER worked for me.  After going on a “diet,” I gained all the weight back I had lost, and usually more.  I found out through changing how I ate, when I ate, and how often I ate, that I could still eat the foods I liked without feeling deprived.  When I finally stopped letting food control me and my life, and I was able to take control over food and how I felt about it; the weight dropped off  - and all without calling it a diet. My typical diet:

Meal 1: 1/2c Lana’s Egg Whites, 1/4c oatmeal, 1sm banana, coffee, 1ltr water
Meal 2: 1/2c Lana’s Egg Whites- 5T salsa, 1ltr water
Meal 3: 3 oz Chicken/turkey breast, 4oz sweet potato, broccoli, coffee, 1ltr water
Meal 4:  Protein shake before heading to gym
Meal 5: Large green salad, 4oz chicken/turkey breast, homemade vinaigrette dressing, 1ltr water
Meal 6: 1/2c Lana’s Egg Whites, raw almonds

I did it.  I am a female athlete. My life is consumed by my passion to teach others the lessons I have learned.  I spend my days eating six or seven times day. I train for 2+ hours per day and along with my purse, I carry around a gallon of water wherever I go.  I make sure I get my eight hours of sleep.  Because of the sport of bodybuilding and eating Lana's Egg Whites, I have LOST 350lbs!

I am now the owner of  Inside & O.U.T Fitness.  We want to create an environment where individuals can achieve their dreams to live and love being healthy.  Enable people and organizations to start moving, so that healthy living becomes a way of life to be celebrated and shared with likeminded people.  We want to inspire those who have struggled with healthy living so that losing weight, being fit, and exceeding goals becomes part of everyone’s story.  IO Fitness manages the expectations of our clients by identifying the root cause behind their addiction to food.  We provide people with the tools, skills, and resources to change the way they eat and exercise.  We are very BUSY..but being busy is great, as a small business owner.  What we do every day is so much bigger than us. For the first time in my life, I have found my purpose, what an amazing feeling!!

My life since losing weight has been a little surreal actually.  I was featured on the cover of Oxygen Magazine, I was selected as Stiletto Woman Magazine’s Top Amazing Women of 2010, won the 2010 RADIAL Woman award, awarded Bodybuilding.com’s Transformation of the Week and now part of TEAM LANA!!.  I am honored and humbled each day.  I think my transformation has really affected my children. They have a healthy and fit mom, both physically and mentally!  I share my story of survival, both in domestic violence and a survivor of obesity to all of those who will listen.  I tell my story in hopes of inspiring people to persevere through life’s challenges and that ANYTHING is possible. Every time I share my story, it is also a healing process for me! My goal everyday is to inspire one person to change their life.  I believe my purpose is to inspire, motive and give others hope. That if I can overcome my circumstances, that they too can write their story.  I hope to inspire those to show that you can do anything you set your mind to. 

I learned a lot about who I am, and how the love of the sport of bodybuilding saved my life.  I have determined the iron, the treadmill, cold chicken breasts and Lana's Egg Whites have made me who I am and taught me why I love my sport.  

I learned that I definitely do not give up easily! And hell, if I can lose those 350lbs, I sure will have no problem dealing with just about anything else life throws my way!  When I told family and friends my goal…. They all laughed.  The Haters, you know the kind. The ones who want to watch you fail, or don’t think you could ever do it.  They motivate to better.  So thank you HATERS…for the motivation!
A human body is a machine, controlled by the mind. If the mind believes it, the body will achieve it. At least that's how MY mind works. You know — the mind of a female athlete...
I have continued to live my life through F.A.I.T.H.

F- Fear is inevitable, but it is NOT a stop sign to my goals.
A- Action is required to achieve my goals. I am in control of this not anyone else.
I- Integrity is all I have, I will ALWAYS lead my life this way.
T- Timing is God’s hands.
H-Happiness is in my hands, I control my happiness,  no one, or nothing else!!

Thank you Lana for being a part of my journey and making eating healthy easier and more convenient!! People are looking down upon you...saying “WAY TO GO!!”