cassie been--earth, tx

I began my journey to healthy eating and working out in February 2012. I had never been a healthy eater or one to workout. I struggled with my weight my whole life and tried every yo-yo diet imaginable. Until now, I had never been successful at losing weight and keeping it off.

Before I started working out with Foundations 6:19, I weighed in at 254 pounds. I was a very unhappy person and very negative about everything in my life. One day, while I was taking a nap, my chest started to hurt so bad that I couldn’t move. My left arm went numb and my left leg wouldn’t move at all. I was almost sure I was having a heart attack. Two hours later, I woke up with no chest pain and scared to death. I went to the doctor and explained what had happened to me, and she also believed I had had a heart attack at the young age of 28. She gave me two choices: keep living like I was and die, or get up off my rump, start eating right, working out and live. I chose life. And so my journey began…

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At first, I did it alone. Then Deanna Mendoza invited me to workout with F619. Many times during those first workouts, I would pray, “Lord, get me through this. I can’t do this and my body can’t take it.” Every time, the Lord got me through. I’ve been doing it for over a year now! It hasn’t been easy for me, but the workouts combined with new insight from a Bible Study called Made to Crave, helped give me a new perspective on life & food.
Currently, I weigh 198 pounds. That is a total weight loss of 56 pounds! I am still dumb-founded by how much I have lost and how much my body has changed. I have gained strength in my legs, arms and back. I have more muscle than I ever had before. I never thought that in my lifetime I would enjoy to workout! And yes, there are days that I don’t want to put in the work or the time. I just make myself go and do it anyway. I am now the healthiest I have ever been in my life!

If you are just starting your own journey, YOU CAN DO IT! It won’t be easy, and no one can do it for you. Set small goals. Don’t give up on yourself. If you have a bad day, bad week or a bad month, just start over the very next chance you get. Those of you already on your journey—YOU GOT THIS! Find a friend that can encourage you and keep you accountable. I have relied on support from God, Iris, Ida, Colleen and my sister during good and hard times. Then keep moving forward, one day—one meal—one workout at a time!