Gardens teacher loses 180 pounds in one year - Fox29 WFLX TV, West Palm Beach, FL-news & weather

By Rachel Leigh - bio | email

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL (WFLX) - "At 334 pounds, I was not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel," said Jennifer Evans. "I don't like our wedding pictures."

Jennifer's battle against the bulge began in third grade. "I'd put on the kiddy pounds, and then I lost a little bit in high school when I got a little taller"

It was a vicious cycle of losing 20 and gaining back 50. That is until three years ago. "I didn't do any of the strange things. I'm just a normal mom, teacher that just kind of made a lifestyle change."

Rachel asks, "What's your weight today?"

"I usually hang somewhere between 155 and 160," Jennifer proudly responds.

She started with diet. "My favorite thing to say is, 'I've had a cookie before. I've had cake before. I know what that taste like. It's not a new experience for me'. So I could do without it at this point."

After losing 120 pounds, she turned into a gym rat. "My day doesn't feel complete until I've gotten some sweat on in the morning, and then I go out about the rest of my day."

Now, she's even competing.

"You've done a triathlon. You've done a half marathon," said Rachel. "What's your next goal?"

Jennifer replied, "Well, I did a sprint distance triathlon, and I'll do that again, but I'm thinking maybe an Olympic distance triathlon which is a little bit longer."

Jennifer gives a lot of credit to the support she received at home. "I couldn't have done it without my husband, without my family being there. It kind of makes me tear up because it's emotional for me. But I really do think that if I can make a change like that in my life, and I struggle my whole life, I feel like anyone can do it."

Here are some tips from Jennifer:

"Look for the hidden sugars. Just because it says 'low fat' or 'sugar free' doesn't mean it's best for you."

"As I've began exercising, I've learned to think about food is fuel for my body."

"I wrote down everything I ate. That was something that was helpful to me to know that I had four lines for vegetables, and when I reached that fourth line, I was done. I had three lines for fruit, and when I reached that third line, I was done. I kind of mapped out and planned what I was eating for the day."

Jenn now has plans of celebrating her 10^th anniversary by reshooting her wedding photos.

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