A New Beginning

Colleen McCarthy is starting over. Growing up in St. Louis the 47-year-old was always active, but now finds herself winded trying to push her 278-pound body up a flight of stairs. She’s tried everything, from liquid diets to Jenny Craig, but has never succeeded in long-term weight loss.

Over the years McCarthy turned into a drive-thru fanatic - she knew all the quickest drive-thru restaurants in town.

“Here’s a news flash: fast food and no exercise makes you fat,” McCarthy said.

Determined to become healthy again, McCarthy quit her job, packed-up and moved herself across the country to Ahwatukee Foothills in August.

On Oct. 21 she submitted a letter to the Ahwatukee Foothills News in response to the Get Fit for the Holiday’s contest and was selected to participate in an eight-week program with Desert Foothills Boot Camp and Am I Hungry? Non-Diet Weight Management Program.

“When I saw the article about winning a boot camp session and nutritional guidance I knew that contest was calling my name,” McCarthy said. “I no longer consider the drive-thru my personal kitchen and I’ve been trying to keep up with my exercise. So far I’ve lost 10 pounds but I have a long way to go.”

McCarthy met with Desert Foothills Boot Camp trainer Rebecca Parent Nov. 15 for an initial consultation. At 5 feet, 4 inches, she weighed 278 pounds, had a body fat percentage of 40 percent and a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 47.6.

A BMI, calculated from a person’s weight and height, over 30 categorizes a person as obese.

“This is not about what everyone else is doing in the class, it’s about you,” Parent told McCarthy. “Don’t worry about the string beans that will be running up the hill, focus on yourself. I don’t expect you to sprint a mile the first day.”

McCarthy will attend boot camp for eight weeks, five days a week at 6 a.m., beginning Nov. 26. She will learn a combination of core, cardio, plyometrics and strengthening exercises for a total body workout each week.

McCarthy will also attend an Am I Hungry? 90-minute workshop once a week with Michelle May, author of Am I Hungry? What to Do When Diets Don’t Work.

Through the workshops, McCarthy will learn to manage her weight forever without dieting, drugs or deprivation. She will also be motivated by the interaction, motivation and support of a group.

The Ahwatukee Foothills News will follow McCarthy’s progress with a report every two weeks in the health section.

“I always thought I could just go back to working out seven days a week like I used to, but now I know I just can’t,” McCarthy said. “I need a lifestyle change and not just a diet. This contest will enhance my new journey and add to the abundance of blessings in my life - I have to buy a bigger container to hold all my gratitude.”

Colleen McCarthy

Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.

Age: 47

Weight: 278 pounds

BMI: 47.6

Body fat percentage: 40 percent

Waste: 49 inches

Hips: 49.5 inches

Left arm: 14 inches

Right arc: 15 inches

Left thigh: 24 inches

Right thigh: 23 inches

Corinne Frayer can be reached at (480) 898-7917 or cfrayer@aztrib.com.