'I couldn't do this on my own'

Veronica Perkins, 37, Lithia (Fish Hawk Ranch)

HEIGHT: 5-foot-5

STARTING WEIGHT: 153.5

CURRENT WEIGHT: 127

WHY I DID IT: I was very active growing up. Out of all my siblings (there are five of us), I was known as the "athletic" one. I ran track and cross-country, played volleyball, and I was a cheerleader. In high school, even though my parents owned a bakery and I ate what I wanted, I stayed in great shape.

Off to college I went and, like most, I gained the "freshman 15." But I wasn't worried about it. I started to run and watched what I ate a little, and the weight came right off. Of course, I was always warned, "Wait until your 30s, your body will change and it won't be as easy." But I thought, "I've got this under control."

Thirty came along and I had my son. Losing the baby weight wasn't too bad, but I still could not get back to my pre-baby, pre-30 weight. I got to a point where I thought this was as good as it was going to get.

A few years later, I had my gall bladder removed and I was gaining weight faster. I started to panic and took up running more seriously. I coupled that with Weight Watchers and thought for sure it would work.

But with all the effort I was putting into it, I wasn't getting nearly the results I wanted or knew I could achieve. I was very frustrated that I couldn't do this on my own. I am not one who likes to ask for help, so this was a very hard pill for me to swallow. I quickly realized that the rules of the game had changed, and I had no idea how to play anymore. I needed help, and I decided that if I was going to do it, I would do it right.

So I summoned help from the professionals at RobZ Fitness. And on March 28, my journey began.

HOW I DID IT: I chose to go with RobZ Fitness because of the level of experience and background of the staff. Rob Zulkoski is the owner and a certified personal trainer with a background in exercise science and wellness. My personal trainers are Sam Kicak and Taylor Green. Sam graduated from the University of Tampa with a degree in Exercise Science Adult Fitness. Taylor graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Exercise Science and Fitness Programming. I knew my determination coupled with their experience and expertise would make a winning combination.

I set up my appointment with Rob, and he did a screening to assess my endurance and flexibility. I could barely do a push-up and hardly any sit-ups. He also took my measurements and completed a body fat analysis. I started off at 153.5 pounds with body fat of 35.1 percent.

Rob explained that although I had the cardio down (being an avid runner), that was only a small piece of the equation. Nutrition (which is the biggest piece) and weight training were very important, and that was what I was lacking. I had a goal to lose 30 pounds and get to size 2 in three months. Rob set me up with a nutritional eating plan designed to help me reach my goal.

My training sessions were three days a week and consisted of endurance and strength training. Initially, we worked on my core strength, which helped me build up overall strength. On my non-weight training days, at least three days a week, I ran an average of 20 miles per week. The strength that I was gaining from weight training helped me increase my running distance and improve my pace. And the cardio strength I was gaining from running was allowing me to push through the intensive weight-training sessions.

In the first month, I dropped 8.5 percent body fat and lost 13 pounds. The next month, I was down another 3 percent in body fat and another 7 pounds. And after three months, I was down to 18.6 percent body fat -- a drop of 16.5 percent over three months. I lost a total of 30 pounds and went from size 8 to a 2. I reached my goal, and at 37 years old I am in the best shape of my life!

HURDLES: I am a "sweets" person and, as I mentioned, my parents own a bakery. Lucky for me, they are two hours south, so I don't have easy access. I thought my first visit there after I started on my program would be tough. But the body really adapts well to healthy eating, and I had no problem resisting temptation.

GOING THE DISTANCE: I may have reached my initial goal of losing 30 pounds and getting to a size 2, but my journey does not end there. It's become more than just weight loss; it's become a lifestyle and one that is so enjoyable. It is amazing how feeling good about yourself transcends into all aspects of your life, personally and professionally. I have adopted the eating plan into my life now and plan to stick to my regimen of weight training three days a week and cardio training three days a week. I have a half-marathon in November and one in December, I plan to complete "Tough Mudder", an extreme running/obstacle course event.

BEST ADVICE: Do it for yourself first … but know the special reward at the end is that you may become an inspiration to others, which is the highest form of flattery. The motto I live by now is "Nothing tastes as good as fit feels."