On March 5, 2009, I donned my do-bak (martial arts uniform) and left my Lakeland, Florida, hotel room to stand before a dozen judges from the U.S. Chung Do Kwan Association. Three hours later, after completing a test that was both physically and mentally demanding, I received my black belt and associate instructor badge for Tae Kwon Do. I never thought I would get this far!

I, formerly a woman weighing 245 pounds, am now a muscular 165-pound woman happily reaping the benefits of a healthier way of life.

After the birth of my second daughter, I was at my heaviest weight. I was (and still am) a home-schooler, and I needed a physical education outlet for my older daughter. My husband, Rob, encouraged me to take a martial arts class with her, for both of our benefits.

At class, I didn’t fit in at all. I was clearly the biggest person there. When you weigh a lot, it is often daunting to walk into a gym or take a physical class because you are afraid of being clumsy and afraid of being out of shape. Well, guess what…you are! That is exactly why you need to be there. You have to get over your fear of looking stupid and of embarrassing yourself, and just do it. That was four years ago, and look at me now!

I met my teacher, Master Ray DeVito, after my husband took the senior pastor position at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Hyrum, Utah, in October 2005. Master DeVito ran a class for home-school students at a church in the neighboring town, to which I began taking my daughters. Currently, he runs a ministry-based school that is part of the U.S. Chung Do Kwan Association. The school is devoted to teaching the concepts of Tae Kwon Do while introducing people to Jesus Christ. The Friday class meets at my church building in Hyrum, and this is where I will get the opportunity to teach others what I have learned.

As a Christian, you want to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. When you make food your god and give your life over to it, you can’t do anything. Is that next bite or that second helping really worth giving up the incredible future that God has planned for you? That is what I had to come to terms with.

The Bible verse Mark 12:30 says to “…love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Many people think that God doesn’t care about your physical state, only your spiritual one, but I disagree. This verse plainly says that we are to love Him with not only our emotions (heart), spirit (soul), and intellect (mind), but also our bodies (strength).

In fact, in Romans 12:1, the scripture says we are to present our bodies as a “living sacrifice.” Fitness is a spiritual mandate! My faith and God’s plan for my life is what has made me be successful not only in weight loss, but also in Tae Kwon Do and many other avenues.

I joined TOPS in November 2005. My highest weight in TOPS was 183 pounds. I was Secretary of my chapter last February until I was voted Leader in March. I’ve lost 18 pounds as a TOPS member so far, and I have 25 pounds to lose before reaching my goal weight and KOPS status.

I will get there! It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

In the meantime, I am focusing on eating balanced meals, learning new martial arts techniques, and spending time with my TOPS friends—many of whom attend the Tae Kwon Do classes, including my beloved husband, who serves as chapter Co-Leader.

My next big challenge? Getting my mom to do the same!

As seen in TOPS News February 2010