MY LIFE STORY
Hi My name is Andrea Benudiz, I am 36 years old with a pretty awesome journey I wanted to share with you. Over 7 years ago I was an unhappy very young divorcee struggling to provide for me and my 6 year old son. Fighting with Type 2 diabetes, PCOS (Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome), battling with mental mayhem from bulimia as a teenager, depression and anxiety. Doctors kept telling me that I was one step away from heart problems and a long road of infertility issues. Not that I wanted any more kids at that time in my life but I wanted to know that it could be a possibility in my future.
At almost 290lbs and a size 24 I couldn’t believe I had let myself get to this point. Where did I go wrong? What kind of example am I setting for my son? It was then I realized I needed to start loving myself enough to put the effort into changing my lifestyle for me and for my son.
I found the truth about a LIFESTYLE change and not this word “DIETING” that has everyone so obsessed with! I found that for me DIETS DON’T WORK. They are quick fixes and tend to come back once I stopped doing them. I tried pretty much everything to lose this very unwanted unhealthy weight. From quick fixes to pills to diet regiments, limiting my caloric intake leaving me weak, tired and angry. This all became frustrating and discouraging, but with the love and support of my mother always encouraging me to stay strong, using visualization tactics to help me see the end result, it became clearer to me that I had to believe in myself and find the strength to push forward.
After much research, I learned that my body is connected physically and emotionally. Once I was able to relate that to my lifestyle I started to incorporate exercise to my daily routine which helped me fight off my daily stresses. I also started a healthy eating lifestyle of whole grains, fresh vegetables and fruits, cutting my sugar intake by more than half, eating higher fiber foods and eating every 2-3 hours. I was amazed that eating so much good nutritious foods was starting to show results on the scale!
Now after many years, my lifestyle has changed completely and so have I! I am currently married to my number one supporter, best friend and soul mate for the last 4 years, we were blessed with two little girls, 3 and 1 years old, let me remind you doctors told me I would have a hard time conceiving. I am 189lbs and a size 12. Over 100lbs lost and many dresses sizes later, I finally found my true happiness!
All this was because I made a choice to embrace the opportunity to change my life for the better. My regiment consists of exercising 4-5 days a week. Jog every other day, weight training intervals, and eating healthy. I am now able to give back to other women that have similar struggles by being their life coach and trainer.
I still have a few pounds I want to lose but for me this is a lifestyle I am so passionate about and enjoy. I found my passion for life and self love through this amazing journey I call MY LIFE.
Andrea Benudiz
abenudiz@rogers.com
