Congrats to our Region 2 winner, Bridget Molnar, for dedicating 12 weeks towards self-improvement both externally and internally and won $442! Region two is led by Vanessa Campos and comprises of New Jersey and New York. Find a local No Excuse Mom meetup near you by entering your city/state or zipcode HERE.
I began my journey September 29, 2014. I stumbled upon a Facebook group of women all working on being healthy role models for their children. This being something I longed to be. I reluctantly went to a NEM Meet up where I was greeted by an incredible specimen of a human-muscular, lean, beautiful and strong (Vanessa Campos). I was terrified! But, nearly 10 minutes into my grueling workout I realized I was in the right place with the right people. I had a goal. I would become the skinny girl I once was! Nothing more-nothing less! Little did I know I wouldn't only lose inches, body fat and pounds; but I would lose the self-hatred, torment of carrying burdens and trauma I had endured my entire life. I WOULD TRANSCEND ALL EXPECTATIONS OF MYSELF!
You see I am far more than that fat woman in the picture above who appears to lack physical strength and confidence. I am a PTSD survivor, sufferer of major depressive mood disorder since I was 13, the daughter of a 15 year mother, a girl who's never met her schizophrenic father, was raised by grandparents alongside my own child mother, graduated the top ten in my high school class, was sexually molested nearly daily by a family member to whom I love and trusted starting at the age of 4 to which my family never knew or could protect from his grips. I put myself into therapy as well as college where I graduated a Dean scholar. I've been committed to a psychiatric ward for 7 days for a psychotic break and attempted suicide 5 years ago. I have 2 beautiful healthy confident and mentally stable children, and a challenging yet loving and supportive husband. And I've always hung my head in shame of it all. Embarrassed by my imperfections and dysfunctional life. Then, being a people pleaser, I perfected the art of the fake smile seeing the effect that it had on everyone I met. I was the master of disguise wearing the mask of elation only to be broken and very alone with my secrets and shame.
Until now! More than 35 years after my torture I am saved by this transformation challenge! I no longer fear challenges-I EMBRACE THEM!!! I have made the realization that I have always been strong, resilient and consistently a fighter! I do wear this smile of true elation and pride. I am a survivor, a mother, an example of strength and hope! I've learned that I no longer need to pretend I am happy when I'm sad-LIFE ISN'T PERFECT! And, I don't need to pretend to be or hide in embarrassment of my experiences!
My transformation isn't over…I will always be a work in progress. No I'm not that skinny girl I set my goal of being and I'm not sure I'll ever be and that's ok. But I no longer carry my burdens or pain. I have transformed into a woman I love! Maria Kang, you're creation of NEM and your fitness leader Vanessa Campos have saved my life! I thank you from the bottom of my heart.