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View the original article at: http://www.origin.shape.com/weight_loss/dara_chadwicks_bio

Meet Dara Chadwick

Dara's Background
Age: 38
Goal weight: 125 pounds

Month 1
Height: 5'0"
Weight: 147 lbs.
Body fat: 34%
VO2 max*: 33.4 ml/kg/min
Aerobic fitness: average
Resting blood pressure: 122/84 (normal)
Cholesterol: 215(borderline high)

What's VO2 max?

Month 12
Weight: 121 lbs.
Pounds lost: 26
Body fat: 26.5%
Body fat lost: 7.5%
VO2 max*: 41.2 ml/kg/min
Aerobic fitness: average
Resting blood pressure: 122/80 (normal)
Cholesterol: 198(normal)

 
I was a cheerleader in high school and an aerobics instructor in my 20s. Today, I still walk 30-45 minutes every day and play co-ed indoor soccer once a week, but my eating habits are horrible. Like many working moms (I have two kids, ages 8 and 10), I rely on a lot of frozen foods and sometimes skip meals when my schedule gets hectic. As a result, I've packed on the pounds—and I've made it clear that I don't like what I see in the mirror. That's hard because my daughter, who's built a lot like me, watches my every move. I don't want her to internalize my poor body image and wind up disliking her body, too. I want to take off this weight and feel comfortable with myself—so I can teach my daughter to do the same.