Losin’ It with Melody Harrison “If I can do it, you can do it!” If you would have told Melody Harrison one year ago that she would be 70 pounds


lighter and love to exercise today, she would have said, “No way, not me!” Over the past 25 years Melody’s life has revolved around her busy job and taking care of her family. Her weight slowly crept up to 310 pounds. Her arthritis began bothering her severely, and she did not want to turn 50 feeling the way she did. Her breaking point was the day she went shopping for clothes and realized if she went up one more size, she would have to special order her clothing. In June 2011, Melody decided it was time to take charge of her health and set a goal to lose 125 pounds in 2 years. She quit drinking soda, joined Hendrick Health Club, and the rest has been history. Soon aſter joining HHC, she began working out with her current personal trainer Reagan and ventured into some of the exercise classes offered. Melody works out 6 days a week and has an exercise class schedule that she never misses. She also meets with Reagan once a week to keep her on track. She says, “Te atmosphere of HHC is like a second home. I never feel judged and always feel comfortable when I am there. Te variety of classes and training keep me motivated, and I never get bored.” Melody keeps herself accountable by taking a week worth of workout clothes to the


gym every Monday so she never has an excuse not to go. Her coworkers have been a huge support and encouragement to her, and her father has also lost 50 pounds. She has learned to enjoy the foods she loves in moderation. Before, she would eat all the pizza and mexican food she wanted and never worry about the effects of her overeat- ing. “If you are willing to compromise on unhealthy habits, you CAN be healthy.” Melody averages 1-4 pounds of weight loss every week. She says, “It is hard to


wrap your head around going down clothing sizes when you are use to looking for the next size up.” She laughs that her checkbook has lost more weight than she has because she loves to go shopping now, and she gladly gives her clothes away when she shrinks a size. Little changes have made all the difference for Melody. She takes the stairs at


work instead of the elevator, limits her TV watching each day, and has incorporated healthy snacks into her diet. Her nutritional success is attributed to easing into a healthy diet and not falling into quick fixes. When asked what biggest piece of advise she would give to someone in her shoes, she simply states, “If I can do it, you can do it!” Melody will be competing in her first 5K this April.


July 2011 9


HEALTHY WOMAN ANNIVERSARY EVENT Get your ticket today!


Abby


Thursday, April 19 at the Abilene Civic Center Expo 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. / Dinner 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. For tickets call 325-428-4950 or visit AbileneRegional.com/HealthyWoman


FEATURING FORMER BIGGEST LOSER CONTESTANT ABBY RIKE “EMPOWER YOUR LIFE WITH PURPOSE” Admission to expo is free. Dinner tickets cost $15.00. Melody today with trainer, Raegan JULY 2010


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