'If you take it day by day, your body will change'

Mindy Socher, 40, Tampa

Goal: To be a fit mom

Why I did it: I was getting ready to turn 40 with a body showing the wear of having five babies in a very short period of time. I had always exercised (aerobics, walking, chasing kids, etc.) but just never felt really fit or that I had gotten my body back to where it was before having the kids: Sydney, 13; William, 11; Mallary, 9; Megan, 6; and Grace, who's almost 3.

When I went out with my husband for "date night," I never felt comfortable with the way I looked and felt. My clothes were tight and not very stylish. My husband constantly reassured me of his love no matter how I looked, but I just didn't feel right. I wanted to look hot, confident and healthy.

Also, I've owned Baby Boomerang, a children's consignment store, for 18 years. From the minute my feet hit the floor at 7 a.m., I am constantly on the go: taking kids to school, grocery runs, volunteering at school and working. Life couldn't be any busier. In the afternoons, I turn into "Mom's taxi service," chauffeuring kids all across town. This didn't leave much time for exercise, but I figured since I was active all day long I must be keeping in shape. Wrong!

How I did it: I finally decided I needed two things: an hour a day to myself and a workout I would enjoy.

I found Body Bash Boot Camp. It's held weekdays at Ballast Point Park at 6 a.m. I get up and head out at 5:30 a.m., when the house is quiet with no phones ringing, no children asking questions, no nothing. I fell in love with the class right away. The trainer, John Hannon, is motivational, encouraging and really creative. Every day is different. He constantly mixes up the workout from day to day so we have no idea what we'll be doing ... but everyday includes a healthy dose of cardio, core work, plyometrics and toning and tightening through resistance training.

I started attending two days a week and eventually built enough strength and stamina where I'm now attending boot camp five days a week. I love the way it makes me feel, and I never want to miss a session.

When I started more than two years ago, I really watched what I ate. I stayed away from the "whites": white bread, pastas and rice, fried food and sweets. I ate five small meals a day including a clean protein source like grilled chicken, fish, ground turkey and lean ground beef. I coupled that with a good complex carb source (for energy) like oatmeal, brown rice or sweet potatoes and lots of veggies for lunch and dinner. I had a piece of fruit for breakfast and mid-morning snack. But I did allow myself one day, Sunday, to eat what I wanted.

Once I reached my weight-loss goal of 35 pounds, I found I could eat what I like, within reason, and not feel too guilty. The key is consistent exercise. In the past, I would sabotage myself. If I overindulged, I would just give up and feel defeated.

Once I reached my weight-loss goal and understood exercise was not just a short-term project, it took away the anxiety and allowed me to feel fit. And I could reward myself when I wanted to. It's okay to waiver just make sure to keep exercising consistently, while eating clean the majority of the time.

Hurdles: There were a few plateaus along the way, mostly with the losing of the last 10 pounds of baby weight. My trainer asked me to increase my intensity level and to focus on what I really wanted. During class, I would focus on not letting that last 10 pounds stand in the way of how I wanted to look and feel. It was Mindy versus 10 pounds of baby fat. Sure enough, in four or five weeks I had worn out that extra weight and arrived victoriously at my target total weight in a little more than a year.

Going the distance: My success was achieved with consistency and patience: consistency in my approach to exercise, and patience knowing that eventually the results would follow through. Diet and exercise should not be considered short-term or even long-term goals, but more of a lifestyle goal. I chose to go the distance and have never felt or looked better!

Best advice: If you take it day by day, your body will eventually change. The scale changes slower, but the way you look and feel and how your clothes fit is what keeps you going. Like John says, "There's no magic pill. It takes hard work, discipline and a desire to make a difference in the way you look and feel!"