I don’t know about you but I think I have been on a diet most of my life. My first memory of my dieting was when I was eight. I went to “fat” camp in Massachusetts. Well, the camp organizers didn’t call it fat camp, it was a “sports camp.” I was a chubby eight years old, the second biggest kid in my ballet class. My parents felt like it was time to act. I was scared at first. I was going to camp at least eight hours from my house. Plus it was four weeks long. I had never been away from home and my mom for more than one week. But, I went because I knew I was chubby and needed to lose some weight.

The camp turned out to be great. We did lots of fun activities and ate healthy. I went canoeing. I had never been on a canoe before. We jumped off 10 feet high rocks into the lake. We sang songs by the camp fire. It was so much fun. In fact, I didn’t call home during the first week because I was having so much fun and my mom made the camp counselor find me and bring me to the phone. When my mom asked why I hadn’t called I just said, “mom I’m having fun. What do you want?” I’m sure my mom wasn’t happy about my response but I think she was relieved that I was having fun. It wasn’t easy for her to send me off to Massachusetts for four weeks.

I lost 15 lbs during this first diet and I thought that was it. I thought I would never need to go on a diet again. Here I am over 25 years after this experience and I long for the days when all I had to lose was 15 lbs.

Since that camp, I’ve tried Jenny Craig, Nutri-System, Weight Watchers, and Physicians’ Weight Loss. I’ve taken Dexatrim, Hydroxycut, and any weight loss supplement out there. I’ve gone on the cabbage soup diet, the Zone, Atkins, and the Grapefruit Diet. I’ve done it all and I’ve lost weight and gained it back every time.

Now I’m just trying to eat healthy and exercise. Exercise is the key to my healthy living plan!!! I started working out with a trainer, Perfectly Kathleen, over a year ago. I have lost about 15 lbs in that time. I know it doesn’t sound like much but I’m doing it slow this time. I’ve lost it fast before and gained it right back. I figure maybe I will take it slow and actually keep it off.

I want to be healthy. I don’t need to be skinny. I don’t necessarily think I am supposed to be skinny. I just want to be happy and able to do every activity that I want to do. I want to be able to buy every outfit that I like. So I am shaping up! I am shaping up for my Perfectly Me self years from now. I don’t want her to be mad at me for not taking care of myself. :-)

About Perfectly Kathleen

Kathleen Moxey, BS, CSCS*d

Born and raised in Baltimore, I graduated in 1987 from the University of Maryland, College Park with my BS in Kinesiological Sciences. (Layman's terms, analyzing muscular movement of the body) The traveling bug got the better of me and since the cruise ships were not hiring trainers at the time, I became a merchant seaman for a while. I kept my mind in the fitness realm while working plus had time to study for my Personal Training exam and train some of my
shipmates.

After traveling around the world by plane, ship and/or car, I settled in the San Francisco area for a few years training clients at a YMCA and a private club. At the club, we had 28 highly educated and certified trainers who were all enthusiastic about the fitness industry and willing to share their knowledge. I learned so much by "playing" at the gym with them. My manager encouraged me to continue my education and I became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) --more sports oriented. I also added a Lifestyle and Weight Management Certification.

After moving back home to Baltimore, I sat for my Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) Certification -- fun stuff about posture and proper alignment.

Presently, I work for a large local chain of health clubs as a trainer with private clients and get to travel to CareFirst buildings working with the office associates. I also do some at-home training with a few clients. I live upstairs from my 90-year-old grandfather and have just recently started him on a fitness program at home to keep him moving through the winter.

I really enjoy helping others with their fitness/health goals at all levels. The changes both physical and mentally are amazing and inspiring to me!