Natalie OCCUPATION: Engineer and Employee Engagement DATE STARTED: Nov 7, 10 "OLD" PHYSICAL GOALS: Lose 50 lbs, do 1 pull up, feel healthier, wear skinny pants "NEW" PHYSICAL GOALS: Driver's license weight, six pack, fitness category for BMI, 10 pull ups at one time, hold a handstand on the rings PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES: Road biking, Canyoneering, Ballroom, lindy, and salsa dancing, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Boogie Boarding, Snowboarding, Wakeboarding, Backpacking, Yoga RACES: Terrain Mud Run 2012 Oakland Relay Marathon 2012 Roseville Turkey Trot 2011 TESTIMONY: I use to look at my pictures and wonder who the fat person was staring back at me. The first time I went canyoneering was in 2010 and I was ~50 lbs heavier. I remember feeling exhausted, frustrated, and lacking confidence in my strength. I was so mad at myself for getting to a place where my favorite activities were extremely hard for me to do. With the help of my AWESOME trainer, Eddie Sumpter, I have been able to meet many physical goals and have created new ones to challenge myself even more! First I wanted to be able to do just one pull up, but now I can do 4 sets of 4 pull ups. My next goal is to do 1 set of 10. : Working out with Eddie keeps me motivated and he is ALWAYS entertaining. I spend my workouts laughing as much as I sweat! He is a truly amazing person and an inspirational friend and coach. I am never bored with our workouts and that is KEY for my survival! The hardest part for me has, and will always be, my food intake. I have to be very careful about what I eat because everything sticks to these bones! Eddie reminds me that sometimes we fall off the horse and hit plateaus in our eating habits but we just have to get back to it. He supports me and understands when I need to give a confessional of the bad things I've eaten lately. My biggest accomplishments so far have been biking up Mt. Hamilton and canyoneering in Zion National Park. This time canyoneering I kept saying, "I'm so glad I lost weight… I wouldn't have been able to do this before!" I fit through small cracks, was able to lower myself by repel with ease, and could brace myself between canyon walls like a champ. Now I am so PROUD of myself and am stronger and leaner than I have ever been. The most important thing is that I am able to do the activities that I love again. Thank you, Eddie. I couldn't have done it without you!