Many of my clients and friends know that I used to weigh 242 pounds. I am very thankful that I have been able to maintain my goal weight for the past three years. I spent many years unhappy, frustrated, and trapped in an obese frame, and I can clearly remember the moment when I decided enough was enough.
I poured all of my energy into getting the weight off of me.
Before~at my Heaviest
After~at my goal weight (with my friend Angie at her wedding!)
There was a particular moment after a workout that I will never forget. I weighed around 220 pounds at this time; I had finally found an exercise and eating program that I was comfortable with and one that I was confident that I could continue with for the rest of my life. I sat back in my worn and tattered workout clothes, red-faced and out of breathe with a huge smile on my face as I realized that I couldn’t wait until my friends and family could see the changes on the outside that had already happened on the inside. I had no doubt that I was going to reach my goal weight, it was a matter of time, a lot of sweat, and a few smart food choices away.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a passion for photography and an ability to see beauty in a fleeting moment. I have been taking pictures on the side for a few years now, but this past year my hobby has turned into what I can only describe as an obsession. These past few months feels like it did when I was losing my weight. I have felt the passion for photography for so long, and now I have the opportunity and most importantly the confidence and belief in my dream to make it a reality.
This winter I wrote down on slips of paper a few goals that I wanted to work towards. One was to learn more about photography, another goal was to help someone in my life move forward, and another was to meet new people and make new friendships as I haven’t lived in Leduc for very long. One month after writing my goals on paper, I found a link to photography workshops put on by an amazing photographer named Hope and through these workshops, I have met fellow shutterbugs who share a passion for photography.
Soon after that, an acquaintance I met through my son’s playschool called me asking about photography, and I forwarded the workshop info on to her as well. She is no longer an acquaintance and is now a friend who is just as happy to spend an hour talking about aperture, f-stops, and ISO settings as I am. I have been in awe at the huge growth in Amy’s work over a few short months.
My Mom’s group in Leduc has also been a source of inspiration and new friendships as well. I’ve had the opportunity to photograph a few families through the group and because they are friends I feel fortunate that I can really connect with who they are and translate this in their pictures. I can’t begin to tell you how amazing these past few months have been and how excited I am to continue in this career. I have met so many amazing people along the way!
Because I started my family when I was only 20 years old and wasn’t able to go to University for a degree, I never thought I would be one of those lucky people that would find a career that I truly loved. What I have also learned is that you never have to settle for mediocrity and the only person that can hold you back from your dreams is YOU. Thank-you to my friends and family for your continued support!
[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=MKfDwChOoHI]
by Christine Hopaluk
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