Three years ago I never thought I'd be writing my first blog as a Wellness Warrior for Dr. Oz's website. Three years ago I could barely run to the plane. I could barely do a push up. I was over 265 lbs and was in denial about my poor health. My cholesterol and blood pressure were all high and my doctor told me I had to loose weight or I would be on medicine the rest of my life.

Until one day I looked at myself long and hard in the mirror and said, "Who am I? I have got to take control. I have to get over the fear of the biggest, hardest project I could possibly think of...dropping down to a healthier weight."

I was in complete denial of who I had become. Yes, I'd been heavy my whole life. As a child, they used to call me "Big Bonnie Balloon Butt." But I had gained significantly more weight in my 40s when I reached menopause. I had been building my freelance illustration career and had a very sedentary lifestyle. And I was living outside of my body. I felt as if I had this big life with friends and my career was taking off; but I was trapped inside this big body with no clue how to get out.

I was scared. I didn't want to have a heart attack like my father. I had a lot of living I wanted to do. I decided I had to overcome the fear of this daunting task before me. I was stubborn. I didn't want to wear sneakers. I didn't feel comfortable in work out clothes; or any clothes for that matter. But I wanted to change. I wanted to gain control of this woman who I had become. I felt like I needed balance. I needed the inside of myself to match the outside of myself once and for all.

So I began. I turned myself on. I decided fear and fat were not going to be a part of my world any longer. I decided that I wanted to tread more lightly in this world. I talked to my therapist Amy about my fears and she gave me great advice. She said, "If you can do something for 18 days straight, then it becomes a pattern and you'll keep going. And so, I started walking, and walking and walking.... and 18 days later, I was still walking. In a few months, I had burned off 30 lbs! Simply by walking.

Now, I have continued to walk, exercise and eat better. I now weigh 143 lbs. I have overcome the fear of starting. Now I have walked proudly onto the stage of The Dr. Oz Show...and into the next chapter of a life that I have reclaimed.

It is my sincere hope and strong desire that my personal triumph will inspire others to take the first step on their own journey to a healthier and more fulfilled life. This is my mission to help others believe in themselves.