“I want to inspire other women. If a woman can look at my photo and accept her own beauty and her flaws and come to terms with her body, I’d be so happy.”
"You know how tiny models and actresses look on television? They look even tinier in person, and they all live in Southern California, where I live. That’s a lot of pressure, especially in high school, where the skinnier girls were the most popular ones. As I got older and gained pounds with my pregnancy, I started to lose self-confidence. Even on a hot summer day, I’d be in jeans and a long-sleeve shirt. I’d always wear black—in sunny California."
"One day, when I looked at a photo of my son and myself, I couldn’t believe I was staring at my body. That’s when I decided to join Weight Watchers. As I started to lose weight, I felt like something inside of me began to change, too. Suddenly, I was seeing my relationship with my husband from a different perspective. I woke up one day and realized that my children and I deserved to be happy and that there was a different path for us and for our lives. Divorce wasn’t easy, but I feel empowered by my decision. I found the courage to create a life worth living instead of putting on a smile that wasn’t real. And that has carried over into other parts of my life. It’s easier to start my day with this courage, whether it’s deciding what to wear or making the right choices for my children."
"Now I’m going back to school to get my bachelor’s degree in psychology. My life is flowing together, and I feel really, really good about it. Changing how I see myself has impacted every aspect of my life. I feel good, and other people notice my energy—it’s a gift that keeps on giving. I radiate happiness now, and I know others around me feel it as well."
