Stephanie Strahl

My weight loss journey began in January of 2013. My mother-in-law, Karen Strahl, asked me to join the Biggest Loser. I knew I was overweight and needed to do something about it. I couldn't stand to look at myself in the mirror. I never went anywhere because I was ashamed of the weight I had put on, but the thought of exercising in front of people terrified me! I tried to put her off for awhile, but she kept at me and said she was going to pay for it. I was out of excuses, so I reluctantly agreed to give it a try.
We ended up on the red team coached by Emily Miller. I didn't want to waste Karen's money or let my team down, so I thought I'd give it my best shot. I went to all the team workouts and all of the last chance workouts. I soaked up all the information I could and worked out every chance I could get. I tried Zumba and spinning. I thought I would die and never sit down again after that first spinning class. My thoughts during the class were, "My a$$ is killing me. This is hard and I'm never doing this again!". I was embarrassed because I couldn't do half the things everyone else could. Class was finished & people were signing up for the next one. I almost walked out and never came back, but Breanne and everyone were so nice. They told me I was doing just fine that it does get easier and they encouraged me to come back. I found out they were right. I started going every week and I enjoyed it! Your a$$ does actually get used to that seat! From the first moment I walked into Everbody's I felt welcomed. Everyone was so nice and helpful! I actually enjoyed going. It wasn't just for the exercise, but it was also for the social aspect. I had been sitting at home on the couch with no social life for the past year, so being around people that were working toward the same goals was quite refreshing. I started making friends and feeling like I belonged to something. This was something that had been lacking in my life. I worked hard and the weight slowly started to come off. I even ran my first 5k!
Many of you may not know that I have type 1 Diabetes. I wear an insulin pump to control it. This was a bit of a struggle for me because my blood sugar would drop while exercising. I would get frustrated because I was trying to burn calories, my blood sugar would drop and I would have to eat again to get it back up. Not to mention, it was embarrassing to have to go sit down in the middle of a workout and feed my face with candy. As much as it perturbed me, I didn't let it stop me. I got over the embarrassment and moved on. It wasn't easy, but nothing worth fighting for in life is easy! I was fighting for my life back and I got it!
I ended up winning the Biggest Loser and my red team also took first place! I did the next Biggest Loser and then coached my own team in the Corporate Challenge. I ended up losing a total of 60 pounds! Have I kept all of that weight off? The honest answer is no, but I've leveled off at a healthy weight and am living a healthier lifestyle. I've done things I'd have never thought possible. I've ran 3 mini marathons and I did the Rugged Maniac! I'm now coaching the maintenance team with one of the great friends I met at the gym and I'm trying to pay it forward.
If you are struggling with your weight, health, depression or if you just want to belong to something amazing, I encourage you to join Everbody's Fun and Fitness or sign up for the Biggest Loser or do both! It will change your life if you let it! Everyone has to start somewhere! I started here and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made for myself. The gym and all of the people in it are incredible! It's a family that I'm honored to be a part of! So come join us, you won't regret it! –Stephanie Strahl