Part One: Introduction

I am on this exciting adventure because I hate being fat and love being fit. My name is Esther Marie Sooter (my friends call me Marie) and when I allow a “fat coat” to cover my body it is another way of saying that I need to hide from my life. I was super fit in 2015 and within a few years my BFF and I of 50+ years stopped being friends ***, a boyfriend went from lawyer to crackhead, and my Dad died. Other situations came into play plus a history of broken hearts and failed ventures, I let the “fat coat” shield me from the world. I was so miserable and each and every New Years Eve I would sit there alone and wonder if this was the year that I would take action. 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 all came and went with more disastrous situations to confirm that being fat and alone was the right choice.

At the end of 2020 on Christmas night I fell down and broke a couple ribs. It was so painful and when I went to the emergency room it was mortifying having the doctors examining my nakedness!!! At that point I had a thought, “1. I can get fatter, less mobile, start on prescriptions and just nestle into my 60’s or 2. I can do something about it. I chose number 2.

Shortly after my ribs started to heal, which I did alone with no help, I got the opportunity to move out of a horrible scenario. I was renting a room and one of the tenants was mentally ill and very violent (the police were there constantly) and sharing a bathroom with 3 other guys. Let me tell you it was gross, hairy and disgusting. When the option opened for me to move to a granny flat on the bay, I jumped on it. This was Superbowl Sunday, February 7, 2021. (By the way, I love football)!! As I drove around my new neighborhood I spied a gym (Anytime Fitness Point Loma) and for some reason it was calling my name. One night after a few vodkas I had enough balls to call and make an appointment. That was March 20, 2021. I went in on March 22, 2021. I remember that date well as it is 2 months from my 60th birthday. This day, March 22, 2021 changed my life.

Not only did I change my life, 11 months later I went from 196 to 128 and am now training to be in a bikini competition in November 2022. Come with me to experience my journey to wellness as I fill in the details…….

**Since writing this blog my BFF and I re-connected, and I realized the joy and comfort that comes from our history and camaraderie. I truly love her!!!