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Real Life Fitness Stories: Sarah

We Want to Hear From YOU!

April 8, 2016

We want to hear from you! If you've jumped on the bandwagon, you can inspire others to do the same. Whether you're a personal trainer or play Wii Fit with your kids, you're part of the family fitness revolution. If you've made fitness a priority for you and your family, we want to know about it. I want to feature your story, your successes, challenges, and tips.

All you have to do is answer these questions and email the answers to jennys@macaronikid.com. Please send a photo we can use, too.

Can't wait to hear from you and be inspired by YOUR story!


What is your name and what town are you from?  

Sarah Hancock, Harrisburg, PA

Who makes up your family?  

Myself, my husband and my 2.5-year-old daughter

Briefly, tell us your struggles.    

I was always overweight and grew up in a home with parents that were also overweight. After struggling for 19 years, at the end of my freshmen year in college, my best friend and I decided to join a gym. I was at my heaviest weight of 275 pounds and a size 24. I never thought that my personality matched my outside, like I was stuck in a suit. By the end of my senior year in college, I had lost over 80 pounds but that's when the yo-yoing started. I gained and lost the same 60 or so pounds more times than I can count. I began over exercising and restricting foods.  

After having my daughter in 2013, I was back up to over 200 pounds and a size 16-18. I had succumbed to the fact that this was my life. I was going to be an overweight mother, just like my mother.  

What was the turning point that made you change the way you care for yourself?  

The turning point for me was when I saw a friend of mine posting on Facebook about the workouts she was doing at home. After several months of reading her posts, I took a leap of faith, ordered a 21 Day Fix challenge pack and got started. After 1 week, I gave up because I didn't see instant results and felt discouraged. A few months later, and no closer towards my goals, I decided to try it again. This time I was ready. Ready to change my lifestyle, which included working out for 30 minutes a day (as a full-time working mother, I couldn't dedicate more than that to working out), bi-weekly therapy sessions to work on the "why" I ate and eating healthier.

Almost two years later, I have maintained a healthy weight and fitness routine. I focused on my "why?" Why did i want to make changes to my life. "Why" is my daughter. I knew what it felt like to have a mother always on a diet and other children teasing not only myself, but making fun of my parents and I don't want that for her. It is up to me to be the role model for her and that is by showing her a healthy lifestyle. 

What actions did you take to become healthier?

1. I ditched my gym membership because I no longer had the time to drive there, workout and drive home. I now workout in my basement, while my daughter is sleeping or with her next to me.  

2. I initially followed a meal-plan that came along with the DVDs I purchased and drank my superfoods shake.  

3. I made simple and healthy meals (I love the Skinnytaste blog).

4. I have surrounded myself with people who have similar goals and interests. They are my support system on days I don't feel like "pushing play."


How have you implemented (or plan to) your new habits with your family?

1. If my daughter is awake, i allow her to workout with me - even though that can be challenging.

2. I got my husband on board and he is now following a similar workout plan.

3. I make our meals, so I can control what we eat every night.  

4. I am now a coach and help others meet their goals and we hold each other accountable. 


Anything else you would like to share?

There is no magic pill or patch. You have to work for it and overcome the fear. My goal is to pay it forward and  walk with others on their journey. I know what it feels like to have to fight every single day and feel hopeless.


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Sarah Hancock is a Beachbody Coach who wants to help, inspire and motivate as many people as she can! Find her on Facebook here.