Kelly Mathew

In high school, the cheerleading coach assured me I would need to lose some weight to keep up with the other girls. In retaliation, I quit cheering and joined the cross-country team. I started watching how much I ate and lost some weight.

Soon, my parents got divorced, I started a double major in college (where I also ran cross country), my boyfriend of three years broke up with me, and I was struggling for enough money to put gas in my car. The stress overwhelmed me and I unconsciously reached for food to comfort my aching soul. Sometimes, I would sneak out of my dorm room in the wee hours of the night to get Ben & Jerry's or some chips-ahoy. Needless to say, I gained 40 lbs in one year and could hardly run two miles without gasping for air.

Finally, I met the love of my life (Joshua) and decided to make a change. I wanted to feel confident about myself instead of jealous of other girls. I eat clean. I started working out consistently. I drink water nonstop. I read Oxygen magazine every month. And I remind myself of beautiful women like Tosca Reno who have changed their lives too.

Currently, I am finishing up my last year at college (double majoring in Business and Wellness) and still work at the YMCA. Joshua proposed and we are getting married May 10, 2008. I am back down to a healthy weight (128 lbs at 5'2") but still have a little weight to lose (my goal is 125 lbs). I want to take the next step and dedicate myself to eating clean. I love working at the YMCA and want to continue helping others in their quest for a healthy life. I am very interested in fitness modeling. My ultimate dream is to write for Oxygen magazine and to be as dedicated to health and fitness as Tosca is. She is such an inspiration and reminds me every day that all of the work it takes to live healthy makes each moment of my life worthwhile.