'I actually became a better mother'

Shannon Romera, 38, Lutz

Height: 5-foot-6

Starting weight: 201 pounds

Current weight: 149 pounds

Why I did it: I grew up in a family where the majority of the women were obese. I thought, "That will never happen to me," but it did. So I thought I couldn't fight genetics and I was destined to be obese. Plus, I loved food. I could eat an entire bag of chips by myself. Once I ate an entire cheesecake in two days. Did I mention I loved to eat?

I was 35, with two children, a wonderful husband and a great job as a paralegal, but I was overweight and unhealthy. A trio of events happened in one week to wake me up. I could no longer fit into my favorite pants, and I was once again looking at shopping for bigger clothes. I stepped on the scale and was heavier than I had been at nine months pregnant. Finally, and most concerning, I could not lightly jog three houses down the street. I knew I was "a little overweight," but it was then that I realized just how unhealthy I was.

I knew I needed to make a complete change in my lifestyle and diet. I wanted to learn how to eat right and be able to run. At church one Sunday morning, I decided to approach Ashley Poptodorov, co-owner of AAP Fitness, to ask for help. She looked at me and said that she would help me only if I was ready to fully commit. Little did she know that was exactly what I was ready to do!

AAP Fitness took my measurements as part of the assessment. I started out at 43.6 percent body fat.

How I did it: Ashley and I got started with a full-body weight-training workout. It was great but probably one of the hardest things I had ever done. I remember thinking "you want me to do what?!" It was hard, but I knew that if I stuck with it, I would be successful. Every day, I would wake up at 5 a.m. and spend 30 to 45 minutes on my elliptical before heading off to work. I continued to lift weights twice a week.

I adopted a healthier diet of "clean eating," which involves eating five or six small meals a day. I eliminated all processed foods and sugars, white breads and pastas from my diet. Instead, I ate plenty of lean meats, brown rice, sweet potatoes and vegetables. I never felt hungry because I was eating healthy foods all the time.

In the first month, I lost 11 pounds! In the next few months, I had similar results, and after six months, I had lost 45 pounds! I continued with both the cardio workouts and lifting weights, and after nine months, I was down to 145 pounds. I really enjoyed the effect that lifting weights had on my body. I not only lost weight, but I lost fat and gained muscle for a nice, lean, healthy look.

I was also very pleased with my cardiovascular improvement. One day, my son needed to go the gym for summer football practice, and he wanted to run the mile there. Because I had to sign him in, I decided to run with him. When we got to the gym, he smiled and told me he was proud of me - he hadn't thought I would make it. I smiled back, told him to enjoy his workout and then ran the mile back home.

Hurdles: I think the hardest part is well-meaning friends and family who think you need food to be happy. I remember about two weeks into my lifestyle change, we were having our monthly birthday cake at work. Oh, yeah, it was my birthday. I decided to forgo the cake. I wanted to cry. Back at my desk, I did cry - but this time for joy. I said no to food. I was strong and in control of my life! It was that day I knew I would make it.

One thing I did not expect was the emotional and mental baggage. Even though I lost the weight, I still saw myself as overweight. I was afraid to go shopping for new clothes. One day, my husband took me shopping. I went right for clothes in size 16. I knew they wouldn't fit, so I selected something a few sizes smaller. They were too big, as well. I stood there with a size 6 pair of pants in my hand and could not bring myself to try them on because I just knew they would not fit, so I left without buying a thing. The next weekend I tried again, only this time I just grabbed the size 6 pants and walked into the dressing room. I stared at them for awhile but I finally tried them on. Not only did they fit, they were not the least bit snug!

Going the distance: I wanted to help others make the same lifestyle change I did. I decided to become a personal trainer. I have been a trainer with AAP Fitness for two years.

Best advice: Mothers sometimes forget to do something for themselves. I learned that by taking that time for myself, I actually became a better mother. I am healthier, which is better for my whole family. I also got to be a role model for my children, showing them that sometimes you have to work hard for something you want. They both learned how to work hard and push hard for their goals.