How Jennifer Marnell Lost 180 Pounds, and How You Can Too

For the last few decades, increasing numbers of Americans have been finding themselves overweight and even obese. Many of us need to drop 25, 50, even 100 pounds. But how about Jennifer Marnell? Marnell, who at age 27 and 5 feet tall weighed 300 pounds, decided it was time to lose weight when she feared the health risks she was facing. And it wasn't just poor health that worried Marnell---her size and lack of physical stamina got in the way of her life.

Jennifer Marnell's Story

Being mentally up to the challenge of losing weight--180 pounds over 2-1/2 years--was vital for Marnell. She reduced her fat and caloric intake, joined Gold's Gym, and approached her rigorous and healthy regime with enthusiasm. She enjoyed her classes, had helpful people at the gym, and had family support. Dropping more than 130 pounds, she soon shared her success and became a certified personal trainer. Her effort paid off--she is now a slim 120 pounds and in 2007 was a regional winner and international runner-up for the Gold's Gym "Change Your Body Change Your Life" award.

My Experience with Weight Gain---and Weight Loss

Like Marnell, I, too, faced obesity issues in my twenties. Though I was not 180 pounds over weight, I did find myself at the point that I knew without intervening on my increasing poundage I would one day face the consequences. I wanted to live a long, healthy life, and I knew that at 6 feet tall and nearly 265 pounds, I was pushing the envelope.

Maybe I was not morbidly obese like Marnell was at one point, but I knew that I as poised to easily get there. Once one begins plunking on the pounds, it can be difficult to stop the weight gain. I know that a lot of people don't even realize they are gaining weight until they are well above what is considered to be healthy. Unless one is grossly living an unhealthy life, knows it, and refuses to do---even try---anything to save themselves, it is hard to really "blame" anybody for their having gained weight. Life gets in the way.