Written by Julie, GoodLife Member turned BODYJAM instructor

At over 320lbs, my doctor told me that if I didn’t do something about my weight, I wouldn’t likely live to see my 40th birthday and my little girl would be without a mother. I had been overweight my whole life and since the age of 8, had tried every kind of diet known to man, resulting in a devastating yo-yo effect that left me squeezing out of a plus size 28. I was terrified to go on yet another diet because I knew that it was the dieting itself that had contributed to my ballooning so I had to try something completely different. I had to drive to pick up my mail (only 3 blocks away) because it was too much for me to walk that distance without having to take breaks to catch my breath. So when my friend asked me if I wanted to join GoodLife with her, even though it seemed daunting, I decided to give it a try since I had tried everything else. The problem was that I HATED exercise because it was painful, boring, and exhausting. I forced myself to go twice a week and felt better that I was actually doing something active.

One day, I nervously skulked into a BODYJAM class and hid in the back corner of the room. I was terrified because I felt so out of place since I was twice the size of everyone else, but I quickly realized that I was the only one who was judging me. The instructor (Stephanie) was warm, genuine and inviting and she actually looked me in the eye, making me feel like any other person there and before I knew it, I felt comfortable and was swept away in the most fun and exciting hour I could ever imagine. I actually cried through much of the class because I realized that I had finally found something I truly enjoyed and could do at my own level. I had to have more! I found out where I could do more of these classes throughout the city and ended up hopping from one club to another to get to as many as possible because it satisfied something inside me that had been missing most of my life. I felt included. And this strange side effect started happening to me; since I felt so good I was eating better and the weight was falling off.

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We get asked a lot of questions about nutrition, so we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked ones here. Registered Dietitian Jennifer Bretton provides the answers.

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January always comes with a feeling of a clean slate — a fresh start and a new set of goals. Make trying something new one of your goals. Here are five ingredients you can try working into your recipes this year.

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We all want this year to be better than last year! There is no better place to start then with you own diet. Let’s not forget – getting RESULTS out of your exercise program is 80% nutrition. Your diet is your choice – start making the healthy choices now! Here are 5 ways to detox with healthy eating after indulging over the holidays– if you are not currently eating this way… now is the time to start!

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33 days to go

I love Hot Yoga. I started it about 3 years ago when I weighed a lot more than I do today and was not fit. I love it even though the heat was initially an adjustment. I always try and get a spot very close to the door so that tiny wisps of cool air can reach me from the tiny crack at the bottom of the door… and so that if I have to escape I will be able to do so easily without tripping over rows of sweaty (and I do mean sweaty) bodies in the dark.

I love it because it has such a detoxifying and relaxing effect and has dramatically increased my flexibility and built core strength. It also has a meditative aspect — lying there in the dark, quiet room trying to clear your mind of everything except what you are doing in that moment. I love the Warrior 2 position. It reminds us of our physical power and beauty. I go to moksha yoga where the teachers are amazing and giving and everyone works at their own pace and that is okay.

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