Former Fat Girl of the Week

Former Fat Girl of the Week is a place for us to come to celebrate and learn from the success and achievements of one another. Former Fat Girls of the Week are regular women like you and me, living normal lives, but are extraordinarily inspirational. This is their time to shine, and I hope you are as inspired by them as I am.

Name: Marlena Beck
Age: 31
Occupation: Quality Manager
Blog: www.freewebs.com/marlena78

What's your weight/fitness story?

My weight story begins 31 years ago when I was born. Being a chunky kid, fat teenager, an obese adult...it’s the story of my life. I’ve tried all sorts of diets & programs. Some of them resulted in a measure of success; others were complete failures. The ones that were somewhat successful didn’t last long. I mostly gave up because it wasn’t a lifestyle that I could sustain.


Marlena, Before
What was your turning point and/or "Ah-ha!" moment?

There were a couple "Ah-ha!" moments during this last attempt at weight-loss. The first one was reaching my 10% goal from Weight Watchers. For once, I was able to reach a goal that someone had set for me. For the next several months, I was on a weight-loss high. I lost weight almost every single week. But the BIGGEST turning point for me was seeing a picture of myself with 40 pounds gone.

Although I saw myself daily in the mirror, and although my weight booklet told me I was 40 pounds lighter, my brain still pictured myself at my starting weight. It wasn’t until I saw a picture of myself riding a bicycle that I realized that my body was changing. It nearly brought me to tears! After that, my weight-loss journey was unstoppable. I could do this! For the first time in my LIFE, I was doing something good for myself; this journey was real!


Marlena, Before
How has losing weight/being healthy & fit changed your life?

It’s changed it 180 degrees. I’m happier, more confident, energetic…the list goes on & on. There’s NO WAY I’m going back to the old me!!


Marlena, Now!
How often do you exercise?

Now that I’ve joined a gym I workout 5 days a week. On the weekends I take it light, maybe run a couple miles (run, HA!) or walk the dogs.

What is your favorite workout?

Right now it’s running, just because I can. I’m amazed that I can actually run, let alone the speed & distance. I also tried cycling/spinning for the first time. It’s awesome!!

What 5 food items are "must haves" in your kitchen?

• Bananas
• yogurt
• granola
• eggs
• Starbucks Lite Mocha Frappucinos (in a bottle)

What is your favorite motivational/inspirational quote?

“If you want something bad enough, you make it happen. If not, you make excuses.”

How do you find balance in your life?

I realize that this is a journey. So I have to be able to live like this for the rest of my life. Depravation isn’t an option because I love food so much. So I try to work it into my lifestyle without going off the deep end. I do have to be careful, though, and not allow my old habits creep in again.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

1.) Losing 65 pounds and maintaining that loss for over a year.
2.) Running for 30 minutes straight.

What do you love most about your body?

I love that it’s smaller, obviously. But I love that it works, it’s getting healthier, & that my heart is stronger than ever.

Are you working towards a particular goal we can support you in (upcoming races, events, etc)?

There are a couple 5Ks coming up in the next few months, which is something I’ve never done nor had I planned on doing even when I first started running. But now I’m seriously thinking about doing it. Just gotta sign up!

What are the last 5 songs played on your iPod?

• All American Rejects “Swing, Swing”
• Lisa Loeb “Stay”
• Weezer “Pork & Beans”
• Lost Prophets “Last Train”
• Mary J. Blige “Real Love”

What weight loss/fitness tools do you use that you rely on in your weight loss/fit life journey?

Food scale, food journal, stability ball, pedometer/HRM, reading blogs of others who are on a healthy journey


Marlena, now. What an inspiration!
Anything else you'd like to add?

To those of you reading this who are on a weight-loss/fitness journey, please realize there is no turning back. There isn’t another option. So whatever plan you choose, make sure it’s one you can live with. Because once you reach your goal, your journey continues; you don’t revert back to your old eating habits. So whatever changes you make, make sure they’re changes you can live with.

Marlena, it is such a pleasure to feature you as my Former Fat Girl of the Week! Marlena and I found each other through Twitter, and she has been a constant source of motivation and inspiration to me (and all of her followers!) Please be sure to visit Marlena's blog and follow her on Twitter!

xo,