"Fat Girls Don't Shop at the Mall"

My daughter, Courtney, and I finished the second 8-week Body Back class last night. With Courtney's permission, I'm going to tell her "Body Back" story, but first...

Super woman and instructor, Codi Howell, starts her next 8-week Body Back Puyallup class on Tuesday, June 26th, 7:15 - 8:15 at Bradley Lake Park in Puyallup. The classes are Tuesday and Thursday. Call her for details: 253-495-4151.  Another amazing woman and classmate, Amber Warren, is now a certified instructor as well and will be offering an 8-week Body Back Auburn, Tuesday/Thursday class from 7-8 pm, starting July 10th. Call Amber at 253-293-2244.

Courtney has struggled with her weight issues, since she was a teenager. In early 2008, she made great progress losing pounds, but in August 2008, she was in a car accident which resulted in spinal surgery two months later. Because of the accident and the two-month wait for surgery, she was left with nerve damage to her left leg. She had no feeling in her foot for a long time and she couldn't trust her body to do what she wanted.

In the years which followed with recovery from surgery, falling in love, getting married, dealing with her husband Ron's medical issues, and having a baby - Courtney's life became one of caring for everyone else (and she's a nurse) besides herself. The result, in terms of her health, was an added 75 pounds. In early March, she ended up in the hospital with undiagnosed chest pain. This was the motivation for her to listen to her sister, Kendall, about joining the first 8-week Body Back class which started on March 6th. At Kendall's urging, I joined as well and all three of us sweated together twice a week in the downtown Puyallup studio under Codi's watchful eye. And it was fun. There were other grandmas in the class. We became a community of friends, encouraging and supporting one another. Courtney and I decided to continue for another 8 weeks. Last night, when asked what was most impacting about the class and with tears streaming down her face, this is what Courtney shared:

I was scared at first. I didn't trust my body to be able to exercise, much less run! Sixteen weeks ago, I would not have gone shopping at the mall for clothes. I always bought my clothes on-line using the excuse that I couldn't get long enough pants. The truth was, I believed fat girls don't shop at the mall. I was embarrassed and didn't want to look at myself in full length mirrors.

At the age of 18, I chose an adoption plan for my baby girl. The same week I started the Body Back class, she came back into my life via Facebook. She's now 19-1/2 years old. I've always imagined what that would be like and wanted my daughter to be proud of me. Sixteen weeks ago, I wasn't sure if I was ready for her to meet me. In these past two months, I've also been promoted to a supervising nurse management position at Children's Hospital, another step out of my comfort zone.

This has truly been life changing for me. I just went shopping at the mall - even Victoria's Secret! I feel confident and good about myself. I know I'm a capable, empowered woman, and that this new life style of exercise and nutritious eating is well worth the investment of time and money. I'm worth it! I know I still have a long way to go, but I'm also now ready to meet Karina, who'll be coming to visit in eight weeks. Thanks, Codi.

God works in wonderful ways. Courtney lost a total of 40 pounds and 18.25 inches overall in sixteen weeks. She gained strength and endurance and was able to reduce her time running the half-mile from 8:14 to 6:20. More importantly, she has a new outlook on life and excitement about the future. It all shows!
(Scanned photo copies courtesy of Codi Howell)