April 02, 2014

Weight Loss Success Story: How Bonnie Lost 140 Pounds!

Eeek! I leave for San Diego really early tomorrow morning to meet up with my Ragnar SoCal team, Strangers to Sole Mates. I am ridiculously excited! I've introduced nine of my teammates so far--Thomas, John, Caitlin, Hilary, Paige, Dean, Martha, Cat, and Colleen. Runner #8 is Shauntay, but she was feeling a little shy about posting anything about herself, so I won't embarrass her ;)  So today, in the eleventh hour, I'd like to introduce the final member of our team: Bonnie, Runner #10.

Bonnie is very energetic, has a fantastic sense of humor, and a very laid back attitude--all are awesome qualities for a Ragnar runner. The more I get to know Bonnie, the more I like her. I'm excited to meet her in person tomorrow morning! 



I'm not sure how much time I'm going to be able to/want to spend blogging while I'm in San Diego, but I'm sure I'll be posting to InstagramTwitter, and a little bit on Facebook. I'd like to try and keep up on blogging while I'm out there, so I'll do my best! I'll be home on Tuesday :)

Anyway... I will hand it off to Bonnie to share her story:


I grew up a skinny and active kid, and was considered a tomboy.  I didn’t play sports, but I was always moving, riding my bike, roller skating, playing hide and seek etc...  I was never diagnosed with ADHD but it wasn’t really a hot topic when I was a kid.  All I knew was I came home from school most days with notes pinned to my shirt telling my Mom I would not sit still and I talked too much. Really, nothing has changed. ;)


I didn’t really struggle with my weight until high school. I dealt with insecurities like most teenagers, but the majority of my friends were petite, so I felt enormous at 5’9” and a size 10-12. Beginning my sophomore year, I suffered from various forms of eating disorders in order to feel “normal”.  My diet mostly consisted of diet soda and cigarettes.  
Fast forward several years, and I gave birth to my beautiful daughter one month before I turned 22.  The day I found out I was pregnant, I put down the cigarettes and picked up a fork. I was 160 pounds when I got pregnant, and roughly 270 when I gave birth. I spent the next 17 years devoting my life to my family and forgot all about Bonnie.
I tried every diet known to man and gained and lost weight so many times.  It was discouraging, and every failure caused such self-loathing. My weight cost me so many opportunities and I was furious with myself for all that I missed out on.
My teenage daughter and I were going on a two-week tour of France the summer of 2011. We have a modest income and this was a huge sacrifice to save and pay for this trip. I wanted to enjoy it to the fullest and not be the “typical fat, lazy American” (my thoughts). I kept picturing myself sitting in those little bistro chairs and collapsing onto the sidewalk.
In January 2010 I learned about SparkPeople through a wellness program at my office.  (This site is how I met both Katie and John). I used the site to log my food and workouts and went from 302 pounds to 160 pounds in 18 months. The trip to France was cancelled by the trip organizer and we were devastated, but I achieved my healthy weight goal.

This June will be three years at maintenance. Maintenance is challenging, and I have to be diligent.  My weight does fluctuate and I just have to remember to be kind to myself and get back on track.  When I slack on the exercise or eat processed foods, I feel like crap. That’s usually all the reminder I need.
Throughout my journey, I went from someone who ate 100% processed foods to someone who eats a plant-based diet.  This former couch potato is now a runner.  To date, I have participated in over 19 races (including 2 half-marathons) with 7 more on the schedule.  This formerly-shy lady is flying to California to spend a weekend running 200 miles with 11 strangers (soon to be my BFF’s). Getting healthy has changed my life and provided opportunities that I never thought possible. 

Everyone’s journey will be different and you have to find what works for you. I have the support of my family, although they don’t eat like me, nor do they run. I’m not a fast runner, and I don’t have exceptional willpower.  What I do have is love for myself that I had lost a long time ago. Now I understand I am worth it and by taking care of ME I am better able to take care of others.

16 comments:

  1. What an awesome story! Hope you all have a blast at Ragnar! I'll be cheering you on from over here on the east cost :)

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  2. Good for you Bonnie! Have a great time at the Ragnar!

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  3. Great story Bonnie and the beginning part sounds so much like mine...though I haven't found my "happily ever after" yet, your story is very inspirational. Congrats and good luck this weekend!!
    Bridgette

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    1. Bridgette you can do this. It takes time but it helps to break it down into smaller goals. I focused on 10 pounds at a time and eventually I got to goal. You can do it!

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  4. I learned a few more things about you, Bonnie - like that you are about the same height as me and we are going to be fighting each other for leg room in Van #2 :) This time tomorrow night we will all be together! CANNOT wait to meet you, Katie, and the rest of our awesome team!

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  5. Thanks for sharing Bonnie's story! Wow such a determined woman and she looks absolutely happy and healthy! I'm soooo very excited for you and have SERIOUS FOMO! (fear of missing out) Have a ton of fun! And oh by the way did you know you can post on instagram and have it automatically post to twitter and facebook? YUP

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  6. Thank you for sharing this! Great story. Bonnie, you look amazing and healthy--wishing you the very best with your race!

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  7. Love Bonnie's story! Hope you all have a great time!!!!

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  8. Congrats on your success Bonnie! You look fantastic, but most importantly, happy and healthy. Have a blast at Ragnar!

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  9. AWESOME!! What a rock star!

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  10. Awesome and inspiring Bonnie!! Thanks for sharing your story! I will be running my first relay/ragnar at the end of April. Love a new challenge!!

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  11. Your story is such an inspiration, Bonnie. Also, SparkPeople is AMAZING, right? Love it. Anyway, thanks for the little bit of encouragement I need for today.

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  12. Bonnie - I love your story. You are very inspiring, as I can really relate to your story. Bonnie and Katie - have fun this weekend. You are going to make a lot of fun memories.

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  13. Have a great race and enjoy every moment of the healthy new you!! You deserve much applause!

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  14. I want to thank everyone for their sweet comments and encouragement. Ragnar changed my life and I love each and every one of my teammates. Katie is just as awesome as she seems on her blog. What I love the most about her is that she is totally real and genuine. She's kind of a big deal. :-)

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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