Fitness Friday: Guest Post, Dani Joy Contreres

This is one of my favorite things to do on Fitness Friday: feature a real live person who got sick and tired of being unhealthy and unfit and then

DID THE HARD WORK TO MAKE THE CHANGE.

I introduce you today to Dani Joy. She's a homeschooling mom and a missionary...as well as a loving wife and awesome woman of God. Dani Joy hangs out with us on Fridays, because she's a girl who likes to talk about fitness. I love that about her. (That and the awesome woman of God thing, too.)

I asked Dani Joy to guest post months ago when I saw her before and after photos on another blog. She politely declined, asking if she could wait until she reached her goal weight. I was so proud of her for sticking with it, I knew it would be worth the wait. And she didn't disappoint.

Take it away, my friend!

Have you gone through so many changes in your body that you wonder who you are? Well, that’s how I have felt for the first half of my life, but I have embarked on a journey to stop this cycle.

Who am I today, and what did I used to be?

A country girl? I grew up in upstate, hickville, NY. I was never a very heavy girl, but there were some who made fun of my big butt. I was a little self conscious about that. I played soccer and softball in high school and this helped me stay fit. I loved being active. I loved sports!

A Collegian? The best shape I was in, was during college. Weighing in at 117! Played soccer, softball, basketball and swam! Don’t think there was anything I didn’t try. Had to do it all! (That’s me in the front in the white.)

A Married Woman?
Mrs. Joseph Contreras!

Yes, I got married before I finished college but, I was the happiest graduate around!
Then we wanted babies!
I never thought about the changes it would bring to my body.

A Mommy? Well, this is what my first pregnancy did to me, or I did to me. I am not proud of this picture, but I have to face it. We were on deputation, (what missionaries do to raise support) traveling all over the place, eating badly, and not exercising.

Oh, we tried to exercise and eat better, but look at me! It didn’t work. It wasn’t enough. I did not stay fit. I was in denial, and for many years after, I would be in denial or down about my size.

Since my babies were born (the last one in 2001), I have tried to get all the baby fat and weight off.

Here are my babies! Yes, they are worth it! But I just knew I could feel better about myself.

I had a baby a year! It almost wrecked my body! Can you believe not only did I get bad varicose veins, and all that extra weight, I also lost the hearing in both ears? They were operable, though and, I now have a prosthesis in my ears.

Basically, I have been at this roller coaster for about 8 years. We moved to Spain in 2000. I was able to lose some of the baby fat, only to gain it back with each pregnancy. Before we went back to the States in 2004, I almost got all the weight off, but then gained it all back with the good ol´ American Diet!

When we got back to Spain, in July 2008 after our second visit to the USA, I really tried to stay in shape. Jogging on the beach, early morning swims, and biking, but then we started home school. From the end of August ´08 to January ´09, I sat on my sofa in the evenings studying for the next day, or just vegging and munching. This routine got me frustrated and wanting to do something about it ONCE AND FOR ALL!

Missionary, Mommy, teacher?
Yes, to all, but I didn´t like what I saw.

January 2008:

(163 pounds, 74 kilos)

It was after much prayer and after much desiring to be back to my healthy pre- pregnancy self that I embarked on my fitness journey. I much prefer to call it a fitness journey as oppose to a diet. Diets change, and that was my problem. My body kept changing. I needed something permanent, long term. That is why I am calling it my fitness journey for life.

January and resolutions.

I really am not one for making and sticking with resolutions, because I know that by February they are moot.
It was just a prayer. Then right at that time, I found some friends who were starting to lose weight too. Some of them were bloggy friends I had never met. I found a couple of fitness blogs by accident. They had some easy steps to follow. Not a diet, just a plan. I loved it, and started doing what I could.

I cut out all white sugar and added more veggies and fruits. Started eating whole wheat breads and lot less empty carbohydrates. This alone started the weight loss on a roll. I also added 15 -20 minutes a day on my stationary bike, gradually increasing, doing interval training and weights.

It was March, when I found Sarah's blog, All Pain and No Gain. I had lost 10 pounds, and was on a roll. I wanted to keep going. Wanted to encourage others and needed the encouragement myself. Sarah, had so many great ideas. I loved how encouraging she was. When I saw how many calories she was burning, I increased my workout. It was another bench mark in my weight loss.


Here is my picture after that challenge.

Around May 2009

In August, I ordered four things that would change my outlook on exercise and change my muscles drastically. The book, Making the Cut, and three dvds by the author, Jillian Michaels. She is not a conservative girl, but she knows fitness and health.


Right away, I put myself on her 30 Day Shred dvd and her 30 day diet. The combination of these two, changed my muscles in one month! I dropped one inch in all areas! It was incredible! It was at this time that I reached 30 pounds lost.

9 months into my fitness journey -

before 30 lbs lighter and toned!

I will keep on my fitness journey for life with God´s strength. It’s a must! I am still aiming for my collegiate best.

So who am I, today?


I´m Hip Hoppin´ Missionary Mamma who can and will stay fit and healthy for life, with the Lord´s stength. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, who are His children.


So don’t delay. Embark on your own Fitness Journey for life. You deserve it!

Here is a most recent weight loss picture of me after 35 lbs lost in 11 months.

December 2009

For God´s Glory,

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I'm proud of you, girl! Amazing, simply amazing!