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#APOPFNF Profile: Melody Bowen

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IMG_3879 Name: Melody Bowen

Age: 22

Subject: Weight Loss

Mel's Story: "Growing up I always knew I was overweight. Looking at the number on the dreaded scale, I would constantly push the thought to the back of my mind. I said to myself, "Oh well when I hit 190 I'll do something, or I'll never let myself get over 200." I absolutely HATED to exercise--it just wasn't my thing. I continued procrastinating and leading an unhealthy lifestyle  until one distinct moment. You know, everyone has that moment at some point in their lives-- well mine was when I visited the doctor in September 2014. I had hit 210 pounds. I was absolutely mortified.

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About three months before my moment, my mom joined Weight Watchers. She had found great success and had already lost 30 pounds. My mom was finding such great success--she was looking happier and healthier than ever. What she was doing was working and I wanted to be a part of it. After that mortifying doctors visit, I joined weight watchers. Thus I begin the start of what I now know was a life changing journey. I began running with the "Couch to 5K" app--and this time I stuck with it! That had been my 3rd time trying, but I knew that this time was the time I was going to stick with it. This time I wanted to improve my life for the better and I didn't care how hard I was going to have to fight for it--and believe me I FOUGHT FOR IT. The scale started dropping immediately. I was getting the confidence boost I needed to stay on track.  During the last nine months, I have run three 5ks and I have a 10K planned for November 2015.

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Just to give you some perspective--in under one year I lost 60 pounds! My current weight is 148 and I feel AMAZING in a bathing suit. I rock it because I earned it and I worked hard for it. I still have about 10 pounds to lose but I am so proud of how far I have come. Not to mention, I love seeing the face that people make when they haven’t seen me in a few months--they don’t even recognize me!"

Do you have an inspiring health or fitness story? Comment below or share on social media using the hashtag #APOPFNF (APOP Fitness Nerd Family) with a reason you should be featured in our next #APOPFNF profile! I will be adding a new profile every other Sunday so get your entries in now :)

Wednesday Walk

As you I'm sure you all know, until I see a foot specialist I'm no longer allowed to run, but, hey, I walked today during my lunch break so that has to count for something. 👌 Thanks, Michele for keeping me motivated. ☺ I walked with MapMyFitness! Distance: 2.05mi, time: 35:14, pace: 17:12min/mi, speed: 3.49mi/h. http://mapmyfitness.com/workout/1023225061

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