Hello, my name is Ally. When I was 15, my knee surgeon told me (jokingly) not to get fat. Looking at the rest of my adult life, you might think I treated that order as a dare!

Early in my adult life, I didn't understand why I had trouble with weight since everything I cooked was low-fat; it didn't occur to me until years later that I also needed to monitor portions!

About 10 years ago, I bought my son tae kwon do classes for his 4th birthday. After a few months ...

Hello, my name is Ally. When I was 15, my knee surgeon told me (jokingly) not to get fat. Looking at the rest of my adult life, you might think I treated that order as a dare!

Early in my adult life, I didn't understand why I had trouble with weight since everything I cooked was low-fat; it didn't occur to me until years later that I also needed to monitor portions!

About 10 years ago, I bought my son tae kwon do classes for his 4th birthday. After a few months watching him have a good time, I signed up for classes myself, thinking it would be a good way to get in shape. The first six months or so, my weight didn't budge, but then I started cutting my portions in roughly half and the weight started to melt off. I didn't get down to my goal weight back then, but I got into the healthy BMI range and stayed there for about two years - until I changed jobs and started working in a bakery! Working nights, I wasn't working out as much and with temptation literally all around me, I gained 30 pounds in a year. The weight continued to pile on even after I quit at the bakery due to my mostly sedentary lifestyle and laissez-faire attitude with food.

Almost two years ago, I was coerced by my husband to join him at Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping. I didn't want to go. I kept saying that I already knew what I needed to do and could do it on my own if I just buckled down and made myself do it. Clint said he'd be able to stick to it better if I went with him, so I did...for him.

But the planets must have been in alignment or something. That initial coersion mutated into wanting to do this for myself. After awhile, I found myself thinking strange things like: "I hope we do lunges today."

I was surprised to find myself looking forward to workouts, enjoying my healthier diet, and being disgusted by some of the things I used to eat.

While these inward changes are less expected than the outward changes I've experienced, they give me confidence that when I do get to my goal weight, maintenance will be totally doable!

I used to be the kid who faked illness to get out of P.E. Now, I'm bike commuting, participating in races up 40-story buildings, getting back into volleyball and softball, and trying Zumba and belly dancing.

I didn't get into this to inspire others, but now that I hear it regularly from friends, family, co-workers, and SparkFriends, it's sure feels good to know I'm motivating people by my example.

Read More About ALLYTHEATHLETE (Updated July 28)

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