I’ve always liked to exercise and keep active – playing volleyball, softball, running, hiking, camping, canoeing, etc. I have had back issues for years, and had my first surgery for a herniated disc and degenerative discs in 2003, and then back again for two more disc levels in 2009. So I now have a metal plate and six screws in my neck. (yes, that makes me literally screwy 🙂 Because of this, I didn’t think I’d ever be upper body strong again! Every time I tried to do some upper body work, my symptoms would return. When you immobilize discs, the top and bottom ones have more pressure on them, which degenerates them faster. So I walked, ran and did step aerobics, but often things got in the way and I didn’t get exercise in. I joined the YMCA and loved the Zumba class, but that was about all I’d go to. I didn’t have a connection there. I tried to eat healthy, but didn’t really have any special plan. We have four kids, now 23-16, and I was home for 6 years and then half time for 10. In 2011, I went back to work full time, which was a shock for my family – mom wasn’t getting everything done, food on the table for supper, etc – and my physical fitness went way down on the list! I was diagnosed with Graves disease (hyperactive thyroid), was in a very stressful position at a place that was wearing me out physically and emotionally. I decided to change jobs for my mental health and workload, which really helped a lot, but I needed more. I was out of shape and always tired – and crabby quite often!