Last week, you met Jen on the blog. This week, we’d love for you to meet Jen’s FIERCE sister, Melanie. These two came in for their sessions back to back so that they could enjoy the experience together!
If you don’t know what a FIERCE Over 40 woman is, you can read more about it on the blog or on the website.
Melanie is FIERCE and over 40. In fact, Melanie just turned 50 not too long ago. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT!?!?! Melanie is a Product Manager at Delta Dental of PA.
Each of the women that participate in the FIERCE Over 40 project are given a questionnaire to help us get to know them and their story better. Below you will see Tisha’s favorite pictures and her questionnaire answers.
We asked her to tell us who Melanie is, where she’s from and a short bio of her life:
“I have lived in the Harrisburg, PA area all of my life. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 30 years. I am a proud mother of two adult children, son 28 and daughter 26. I spend most of my time with my husband and doggos, my Boxador Jack and Grandpup Shepsky Xander. For the last few years I have been focused on health and well-being as I was preparing to enter my 50's in Dec 2021.
I started my journey Jan 2019 when my employer offered a weekly onsite Weight Watchers(WW) program. I felt I couldn't make any more excuses since I could take 30 mins from my busy work life to actually become healthier. It is important to mention that just as I started this journey my husband was diagnosed with lung cancer. We entered into a year of surgeries and recovery that could have rocked me right off the healthy lifestyle wagon. I refused to let cancer win so I stuck to it! In the early days of 2020 I was so close to losing 50 lbs but the world came to a halt and we were in Covid lockdown. I just started a new position and had to quickly adjust to working from home. Unfortunately the Covid 15 hit and had to wait a bit longer to hit the 50 lb loss. So after a quick pity party I was determined once again plus my husband was cancer free!
By the end of 2021 I am proud to say I have lost 68 pounds since starting my journey. I have some more to lose to get into a healthy BMI but if I stopped losing today I would be fine. I have learned how to manage my hectic life without turning to food and yummy alcoholic drinks. I have learned how to be happy in my own skin. I have learned how important it is to change mindset. I have learned it is not just a fad diet and some quick fanatic workouts that make me truly healthy. I have learned it is ok to ask for help and encouragement as I hit bumps. I am happy to say being 50 is FABLULOUS!”
What is the best thing about being your age?
“You are as old as you let yourself feel. 50 is just a number! I feel FABULOUS!”
What is your greatest achievement?
”Being madly in love for 30+ years with my high school sweetheart!”
What is your favorite thing that you have checked off of your bucket list?
“Zip lining through the a beautiful forest.”
What trait are you most proud of?
“Being present in the moment with an eye on the future prize.”
What is your greatest fear?
“SNAKES!”
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
“I wouldn't change a thing!”
When, in your life, have you felt most confident and why?
“RIGHT NOW! I was bold enough to die my hair PINK! This along with my weight loss has really boosted my confidence. ”
Have your perceptions of what being “attractive” means changed over time? What do you define as attractive now?
“Age and weight do not define beauty. It's all about mindset. The twinkle in someone's eye tells me they know they are attractive. I love seeing my own twinkle when I look at photos.”
Are you ready for your own FIERCE session? Know a woman over 40 that should be a part of this project? We'd love to meet you or them. Reach out today!
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