Health + Beauty
Michele is familiar with the pressure that comes with wanting to lose weight. In her late 30s, she was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and a low lung function of 64%, all of which made daily tasks challenging. “My biggest motivation is that 3 years ago, I couldn’t stand for more than 2 to 3 minutes or walk more than about 100 yards without being in severe pain and gasping for air,” she explained. Since then, Michele has lost 150 pounds, and she isn’t stopping there! Having competed in cheerleading, track and swimming in high school, Michele understands the importance of consistency and working towards an end goal. “I think fitness has been key to helping me lose my weight. It helps my stress levels, gives me energy, and gives me goals to work toward.” Michele’s motivation to work out daily is fueled by her encouraging trainer, who challenges her with HIIT (high intensity interval training) and Crossfit. “I work out like it’s a job I get paid for. It is something that I have made my top priority– no excuses,” she said. “Excuses got me where I was: I don’t use them anymore!” Today, having increased her lung function back to 98%, Michele celebrates her health by competing in 5ks and participating in events such as the Lexington Fireman Memorial Stair Climb. Her biggest accomplishment to date is summiting a mountain in Alaska in 2016. When Michele reached the top, she thought to herself, “3 years ago, you couldn’t walk to your mailbox, but today you climbed a mountain.” To anyone having doubts about getting started on their weight loss journey, Michele encourages them to start slow but stay steady, make fitness a priority, and find what works for them.
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January 2018 | TopsInLex.com