My Long Fitness Journey

by Cheryl Ingram
(Las Cruces, NM)

My name is Cheryl Ingram and I am interested in sharing my weight loss story with you and hopefully getting it published to inspire women all over the world to lead healthier happier lifestyles! So here it goes!

In 2004 I had just finished my Bachelor of Arts degree this was one of my many life goals. I began the pursuit of my MA in 2005 and I was determined to finish this degree, during this transition in my life I would overcome many mental and physical obstacles. I can remember the day like it was yesterday. My mother called me one early Saturday morning as usual but her tone did not sound the same. She informed me that her and my step father had just come from the doctor's office and their health was not looking too good. She was diagnosed with high blood pressure and my step dad type II diabetes. They were on immediate medication and were in danger health wise.

Heart attack and high blood pressure as well as sickle cell anemia are no stranger to my family. She insisted that I go to the doctor for a check up immediately so I went the following week. I got on the scale at the doctor's office and it read 351 lbs! I was mortified, when I entered college my freshman year I weighed 296 lbs and within 5 years I had gained almost 60 lbs, (so much for the freshman 15) I remember crying the entire ride home after the meeting with the doctor who recommended I go see a dietician as soon as possible. I was hell bent on losing weight, I did not have money to pay for a dietician or personal trainer so I started with the basics.

I began to explore the internet looking for diets and workout plans. I came across a 1500 calorie diet and I immediately went on a diet plan and started walking a mile a day. My first initial weight drop after 4 months was 55 lbs! I was hell bent on losing 100 within a year, then I plateaued! I was stuck at 295 and I new I had to increase my workout so I started going to the University fitness center and doing 1 hr of cardio 6 days a week and walking 2 miles twice a week. Within a year I had lost 100 lbs. For the next two years I dropped an average of about 15-20 lbs a year and had finally gotten down to the 220 lb range.

This past summer I joined a fitness challenge at a local gym owned by some friends and I lost 28 lbs in 12 weeks. To date I have lost a total of 156 lbs and I am still going. I am also a Zumba instructor. I do have excess skin on my body that I am informed I have to get surgically removed but hopefully that will come in time. Please share my fitness story with women all across the world and hopefully I can inspire them to live healthier happier lifestyles!

Please see my attached photos as proof of my weight loss journey.

Always Fit,

Cheryl Ingram

Zumba Fitness Total Body Transformation System DVD Set

Zumba Beginners DVD