Heather Mahoney

My name is Heather Mahoney.  I am 38 years old, born in the great state of Alaska.  Growing up, I was the chubby kid.  I was teased on a the bus and last picked for gym class.  My mother put me on my first diet in the 5th grade.  I spent my entire life feeling like people wouldn't like or love me if I didn't look a certain way.  I couldn't tell you how many annoying fad diets that I've been on in my 38 years.  When you start dieting in the 5th grade, there tends to be a lot. I was never active growing up either and never played school sports. I did try sports, I normally quit.  I wasn't as good as the other girls.  Yet again, always compared to the OTHER GIRLS.

 

Now 26 years old, and my daughter is born.  My thinking began to change.  I didn't want to bring up an insecure little girl. I wanted her to be outgoing and to try things that perhaps were a little frightening but only because they're new.  Most importantly, to LOVE herself.  I found that I had started to get active.  I learned to wake board and ride a snow machine.  I got out and played with my family and began to have fun!  I still had bad eating habits and still doing the fad/crash diets.

 

About four years ago is when my life changed completely.  I was at my all-time heaviest.  I was depressed and didn't much like anyone or myself.  My quick fix this time was liposuction.  Oh yes!  I said liposuction.  I took out a loan and headed to the plastic surgeon.  Oh man, did she throw me for a loop!  I was turned down.  WHAT??? She looked at me and told me to go to the gym for six months and then come back.  She told me whatever I had going on was in my head.  She couldn't "fix" that.  Needless to say, I was pissed.  Who was she to turn me down?  I definitely needed a second opinion.

 

When I got home and told my husband what had happened, he was relieved.  He told me to go and get a trainer and to try to work out.  Well that was four years ago and since then I am still down 25 lbs.  I have run three marathon's and several other races.  I wake up every morning and get out of bed and go to the gym.

 

My next adventure has brought me to the Midnight Sun Muscle Club and I will be competing in my first bikini competition in May 2015.  I am super excited for this next chapter in my life.  As long as I get up on stage, I cannot fail. I can only grow and become stronger!!!