Full Blog:
After moving from Indiana to Los Angeles and struggling to break into the world of acting for several years, the stress was getting to me. I found comfort in food. I had finally started to work in film and TV mostly as the chubby girl, but struggled to get auditions for other roles. I auditioned for Fit to Live in hopes of getting in shape and losing weight.
 I was feeling my weight and it didnt feel good. For example I was getting winded from simply going up a flight of stairs. The thought of going to the gym made me eat. I was thrilled when I got the call that I had been chosen for the boot camp style fitness show. I met the others when I went to meet Dr. Peeke for the first time, but not for a typical check-up. Nope. Dr. Peeke told us the building was on fire and we had to get to the stairs to get out in order to save our own lives. I did my best, but it wasnt good enough. Dr. Peeke told me I would NOT have made it out of the building in time. However, we would get a second chance. On the ride home from that challenge I sat unusually quite in the truck as my boyfriend drove home. When he inquired about the silence I nearly broke down when I explained to him that I was not fit enough to save myself from a dangerous situation. I was terrified and devastated. The training boot camp was tough. Our trainers didnt cut us any slack. At the beginning of the process my asthma really gave me trouble. Then it was my knee. I had an old injury that caused me quite a bit of pain. I felt like I was going to fall apart right in front of everyone at trainings, both physically and emotionally at times. I especially had a hard time with stair laps, which we had to do to prepare for the challenge. I was thankful for the support of the others going through the training and Dr. Peeke. It was important to my success to have them to help hold me accountable for my eating and exercise outside of the group activities. We would email one another often. My boyfriend is vegan, so he was very supportive of me changing my eating habits. I went from two liters of soda and fast food daily to eating six healthy small meals or snacks. I had no idea what all of the sugar and caffeine I was consuming was doing to my body. At first it was very difficult to go without my soda, but soon I felt better than ever because of my new lifestyle. I still wasnt a fan of the stairs, or even the gym, but I looked forward to our group trainings. Then stress in my personal life started to weigh on me. My boyfriends mother got ill with cancer. Also, the writers had gone on strike, so there really wasnt any acting work available. Our training sessions got more difficult and so did sticking to eating healthy. I wanted to stuff my face with cheesecake and cookies, but with the support of the others and my boyfriend I stayed on track. Before I knew it, the challenge was upon me. The terrifying thoughts of not being able to save myself filled my mind. I had to face that building again. This time I was going to beat it. Down the stairs, up the stairs, dragging a 100 pound dummy down the hall, down more stairs, up more stairs, carry gallons of water, crawl through rubble, hoist myself over rubble and up more stairs to victory. I did it, this time fast enough to save my life. I felt exhausted, overwhelmed, excited and proud all in the same moment. Then Fit to Live was over. I had accomplished my goal of getting fit and losing weight. I even booked a commercial right away. I kept in touch with Dr. Peeke and the rest of the group, but we werent meeting to exercise or turning in food diaries anymore. I had the responsibility on my own shoulders. My boyfriend was very helpful in keeping me on track. However, as the holidays approached his mothers condition worsened. Near New Years she passed away. I decided that I wanted to do something in her memory that would help others as well as keep me fit. I found Team in Training and began training for my first marathon while fundraising for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
 My first day of training was only three miles, but I have never been much of a runner so it felt longer. Every Sunday we added more miles to our long runs working up to the marathon. During the week I would train on my own either on the sidewalk or the treadmill. The Sunday that my team ran eight miles, my good knee acted up. I had never heard of runners knee or tight IT bands, but for the rest of my training I would deal with it. I took time off to rest, I trained on the elliptical in place of running, and I even saw a specialist. According to the doctor I wasnt causing injuries to my knee, but as far as the swelling and the pain went I could either stop running or become best friends with ice and ibuprofen. I choose the new friends. The marathon was soon upon me. My boyfriend and I drove to San Diego for the Rock n Roll Marathon. It was still dark the morning of the race when my team and I gathered near the starting line. I had my number pinned to my jersey, new socks, my fancy running shoes, and a mixture of fear and excitement that I had never felt before. The race began. I started out strong with my practiced run/walk technique. I saw a few friends on the course and even made new ones. I was doing alright until about mile 13 when that aching and tightness in my knee started creeping up. I had to make my walk breaks longer and longer, but I kept going. There were difficult moments and some pleasant surprises. For example the wonderful people passing out ice pops near mile 20 before the hill. By the time I finished my treat, I was at the top of the dreaded hill with a smile on my face. As I neared mile 25 one of my coaches showed up along side of me to keep me inspired. As I crossed mile 26 I saw my boyfriend cheering me on. Complete strangers yelled my name and stuck their hands out for high fives as I struggled happily though the last segment of the 26.2 miles. Then I heard my name called out as a finisher. I did it. I raised over $3000 for the organization and I finished the marathon. I am so thankful that I submitted to that little ad on the internet for people that wanted to get in shape. Fit to Live got me on the path to a healthy lifestyle and Im staying on it.
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