Name: Cherie
(Cherie Runs This)
Age: 35
Where she lives: North Carolina
Height: 5’3″
Weight: 148
Pounds Lost: 85
How long it took to lose the weight: About 2 years
How long she has kept it off: About a year
Cherie’s weight loss journey began after an embarrassing comment from a teacher and a promise she made to her recently deceased mother. But dropping 85 pounds was just the beginning. Cherie has since run two half marathons and is now a Certified Personal Trainer, helping others reach their goals. And they’re learning from someone who’s been there and came out amazing! Here’s a Weight Loss WooHoo! to you, Cherie – just FatFighterTV’s fun way of celebrating healthy weight. 
Turning point: An embarrassingly hurtful comment from a teacher was the catalyst. He called me “Precious” (as in the fat, black girl from the movie of the same name) in front of my classmates. I also promised my mother while she was on her deathbed in June 2009. But the teacher’s comment sparked me into action that January of 2010.
How Cherie shed the pounds: Worked out and ate healthy. That’s it–no tricks, pills, potions, wraps. Just exercising and eating healthy and healthy portions. I started out by walking on the treadmill four times a week for 30 minutes. I eventually progressed to running and have run several races including two half marathons. I now, predominately lift weights with only a little bit of cardio mixed in. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn at rest!
Tips from Cherie:
- YOU have to make the decision that getting healthy, losing the weight and making this a life change is MORE IMPORTANT to you than being unhealthy, continuing to be overweight and staying the same. I wish I could do it for you, but I can’t. No one could do it for me either. Until there was something that sparked within me that said, “Okay, I’m ready now–let’s do this. I’m all in,” nothing was going to change. You’ll know when you’re ready because nothing will get in your way. Not chocolate cake, a buffet, laziness, sleepiness, a holiday, chores–nothing.
- If it helps you to make a vision board of quotes, mantras, pictures of clothes you want to wear, the body you want to have, go for it. Do it. I personally had to keep staring at the “Before” picture of myself and look at it often–it helped! But along with this vision board, set clear, specific goals on there and work toward them. Don’t just say, I want to wear a size 10 again someday. Make it attainable, but set a time/date to work toward.
- Get moving–find an exercise you like and stick to it. Do it at least 4-5 times a week. And eat CLEAN. The food you can make or break this process. Food is a big part of this journey!!
Cherie’s Weight Loss WooHoo!
The most exciting thing is feeling comfortable now. Whether it’s comfortable in my own skin or in an outfit or in public situations, I just feel good now. I don’t feel like someone is staring at me and thinking, “Wow, she looks like Precious.” I’m just seen as Cherie, no more, no less, and that’s a big WooHoo!
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Connect with Cherie:
Blog: Cherie Runs This
Twitter: @cherielianne
Facebook: facebook.com/cherierunsthisblog
See more weight loss success stories here… on the Weight Loss WooHoo! Wall of Fame.
If you know someone who deserves this honor, just let me know here.