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Name: Krista Guerrero
Age: 39
Height: 5'5"
Before Weight: 330 pounds
How I Gained It: Over the past 37 years I have tried to eat healthy (at times) and have been on every fad diet that has been invented. Some diets worked, but then I would get bored and fall off the wagon. After junior high school, exercise was not regularly in my life unless I was dieting.
I was a binge eater as well, hiding food and eating almost everything in site at times. I felt like I was born without an "off switch" for my hunger. I worked in radio for over a decade, going from event to event in the station's van. I lived on fast food. I could easily go to Burger King and order a Double Whopper with cheese, another small cheeseburger, fries, onion rings and a large soft drink or milk shake.
Breaking Point: When I turned 38, it hit me that I would be 40 in just a couple of years. I knew that once I hit 40, health issues might arise. I finally had enough one day when I was trying on clothes that had once fit and now they were too tight.
How I Lost It: I had seen a friend on Facebook who dropped over 100 pounds with a local personal trainer. I really liked the trainer's method, so I called to schedule a meeting. We discussed my issues and goals, and then I went home to discuss it over with my family. Everyone was very supportive of the investment.
In December 2011, I started working out with my trainer three days a week in person. He created meal plans for me, which consisted of real food. No fads, no frozen entrees, just healthy, balanced meals, as well as a cardio workout plan for my off days. I got one cheat meal a week. I also started a blog to share my story and to help keep myself accountable. In the first month I dropped close to 30 pounds. That was very motivating for me.
I created challenges for myself, things I never thought I would ever be able to do. I did a rock wall climb after dropping about 50 pounds. I am deathly afraid of heights, but I wanted so badly to see how far I had come physically. I climbed up two three-story high walls without a problem. I also signed up for a few runs throughout the year. My first big challenge was a mud run. I trained for close to two hours every Saturday for two months -- it was brutal! About halfway through the run, I injured my hand, but that didn't stop me. I wasn't going to give up after I had trained for months, so I held my hand close to my body. It turned out it was broken and the ER doctors were shocked that I had finished the race.
I did a few other small runs, and then I started training for a half-marathon. I signed up for the Disney Half Marathon, as I knew there would be a lot to keep me distracted, and I wouldn't get bored and give up. I finished the entire race with help from my trainer who ran with me. One year later, I ran my final Disney race with my mom. We chose to do the inaugural 10K race together, so I have now completed all three of the Labor Day Run Disney races.
During my journey I found a love for cooking. Eating the same thing every day got very boring, so I started experimenting with recipes, creating healthier versions of some of my favorite foods.
I have donated 25 bags of clothes that no longer fit. It was an emotional roller coaster but I learned so much during that time. I am human, and I did fall off the wagon, life does happen. But I always jumped back in without giving any excuses. Currently, I am trying to get to 180 pounds before I have surgery to remove my excess skin.
I no longer work out with my trainer, but I find things that I enjoy that are actually fun, like kayaking, kickball and soccer. You don't always need to go to the gym for a great workout.
I take progress pictures every couple of months to keep me motivated and I find ways to reward myself when I lose weight. I couldn’t have done it without the support from my family and friends.
Current Weight: 194 pounds
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