Join us in our journey

Where we started

10 years ago and 120 lbs lighter than we currently are Karl and I (Danielle) were blissfully dating and engaged. The only real life stresses we had since we lived at each of our parent's homes were jobs, school and when we could see each other in between.

Once we got married both of us gained a little weight (me about 15 lbs and Karl about 20lbs), and we wrote this off as only being able to afford top ramen, hot dogs, and occasionally frozen veggies. Both of us maintained at that weight for 2 years until we had our first child (Nadine). I gained 20 lbs but lost all of it by the time Nadine was 2 years old. Karl however traded in his time playing basketball for daddy time and kept the athlete's eating habits with out the athlete's workout. Karl gained, 40 lbs and to this day has not lost it. We started eating better, and lived a relatively healthy lifestyle so I maintained my weight pretty well but my main food group was coffee. After we started trying to get pregnant with our second child was when I started packing on the pounds. Three miscarriages left me depressed, hormonal and 30 lbs heavier, I weighed the same amount as when I was FULL TERM with Nadine. After 2 years of trying we were blessed with our Son Noah. A bad car wreck had me on intermittent bed-rest through my pregnancy and after Noah was born I had 12 months of physical therapy for the back damage I had from the car wreck, leaving me literally in the worse shape of my life. Karl has had 2 reconstructive surgeries on his left hand and has been battling bulging discs in his back also as a result from not just one but TWO car wrecks that happened with in 17 days of each other.

So 2 years post car wrecks here we are.

In our Christmas photos this year we hid behind our kids, both embarrassed of our peak in weight. Karl at 282 lbs (6'4'') and me at 176 lbs (5'4'')

We are tired of excuses, we both have been cleared of physical therapy for several months and since Noah is turning 2 in a few short days I can no longer tell myself that "I just had a baby". It's time for a change, it can't just be about the weight loss because it will come back if that is the case. Our journey has to be about a healthier lifestyle; better food choices, nutrition habits, exercise, and listening to our doctor about our health risks from obesity. The truth is that we should have made this change a long time ago, but we were afraid of failing, and often times its hard to see progress on your own and it is easier to give up than to push forward.

This blog is for our own accountability, but its also to share our story. Share what works, what doesn't, the obstacles we face and how we over come them and on occasion we will be sharing other friend's stories as they start their own journeys as well. 

Karl Marshall 

Current weight: 285 lbs

Goal weight: 225lbs

Current BMI: 35.6

Goal BMI: 27

Danielle Marshall

Current weight 176 lbs

Goal weight 125 lbs

Current BMI: 28.5

Goal BMI: 21.5