EXTREME WEIGHT LOSS: Our Marathon Runner, Sara!

EWL_Sara

If there is any word to sum up our dear friend Sara, it has to be inspirational. Although it may have been a long road to get there, this remarkable lady proved to herself and to the world that absolutely nothing can hold you back from accomplishing your goals!

Sara’s journey was simply amazing and I am so excited to hear what she has to say about her stunning transformation!

Heidi: Sara, my friend!! I don’t even know where to begin. You overcame so much this year and completely exceeded everyone’s expectations – including Chris’ and?mine! What was that journey like for you?

Sara: The journey was incredible. Really there are no words to describe this last year. I thought I was going just to lose weight, but I lost so much more. I lost what was holding me back for years. I never believed in myself and this was the year I started ?to believe I was just as important as the next person and that I did matter.

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H: You were met with so much adversity from the very beginning even with Chris questioning whether or not you could handle the challenges! How did it feel to prove everyone wrong?

S: I won’t lie, the challenges were hard. At first, I even questioned myself as to whether or not I could handle them. I think I saw this opportunity to prove myself wrong and so many other people. I learned that I held myself back from doing things for so many years. I didn’t want that anymore. I wanted to do things just like everyone else was doing. I may have to do some things a little differently than others, but I learned that I was still doing something. I was also doing more than the people that didn’t want to make any change at all.

We are all different and all have different obstacles every day that we just have to get out and overcome. It was great to do things and watch people’s reactions when I did them. I love telling people I ran a marathon and seeing their mouths drop. I hope people will realize, like I did, there is a way to overcome physical obstacles and it doesn’t matter that you have to do things differently. All that matters is that you are doing something to better yourself.

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H: So very inspirational, Sara :). Like you said, a lot of people judged you and assumed your height would hold you back from making a full transformation, but it absolutely didn’t stop you one bit! What do you think your biggest obstacle really was?

S: Myself! I would feel bad when everyone was finishing and I still had a lot to do. Then I thought to myself, hey I’m doing it!! I figured out as the year went along, everybody has their strengths. Some things I found that I could do easier than other people such as squats and my favorite-burpees!! I also learned that the only one you should be in competition with is yourself. Just compare yourself to who you were the day before and that is all that should matter.

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H: Okay Sara…spill it!! Tell us some of the greatest, and not-so-great moments during your transformation.

S: I will start with my least favorite…weigh-ins. I remember the nights before we weighed in were the worst. At times, it did get frustrating when my body was slow to lose the weight. However, you and Chris were always there to help me troubleshoot and support me in ways beyond what I imagined.

My favorite parts were getting to know the rest of the contestants from Season 4. We were together for 3 months during boot camp and we became family. We all support and want the best for each other. I am so blessed by the opportunity of going on the journey of transformation together with them. It was fun to get to know them and learn from all of them about their experiences and unique things each of us had to offer.

I also loved my 6 month challenge in Hawaii. It was the first time I had ever been on an island! It was so beautiful, and I was blessed with the opportunity of running my marathon there. Then…the marathon!! Crossing the finish line was unbelievable. I am so blessed that you and Chris believed in me enough to let me run the full marathon. Finishing the marathon is something that no one will ever be able to take from me and no one helped me do it except myself. You and Chris supported me and encouraged me and gave me the tools to help prepare myself, but I did it!!

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H: Such a huge accomplishment!! I hope you know how truly proud we are of you! So what’s new in Sara’s world since the show ended?

S: I moved to Arizona and got a job at a university. I have stayed active doing Cross Fit, hikes, gym time, and different fun things with groups of people I have had the pleasure of meeting. I love to explore the different happenings in Arizona. I have been skydiving, fly boarding, ?sight seeing, gone to movies, a couple dates, and I am loving being involved in yours and Chris’ organization?Be Your Best AZ.?

?Oh my goodness, it sounds like you are just living life to the fullest!! I love it!! I am so happy for you, Sara, and so grateful for the inspiration you have been to so many…myself included!

xoxo,

Heidi

45 Responses

  1. you are sooo amazing Sara! My hubby watches with me but never all the way through or crys at the end… he did last night!

    Being a VERY large busty lady I have to ask do they do skin removal everywhere? You look great!!! Rockin that bikini!!! hot mamma!!! hugs you are an inspiration 🙂

  2. Good for you, Sara!

    As a Catholic myself, I was shocked and ashamed by the fact that you were not treated in the convent with the kind of love and respect we are all called by Jesus to share with one another. The fact that religious sisters did not accept you because of something that you had no control over was a disgrace. I can only hope that someone in that community saw last night’s episode and felt sadness, regret and contrition.

    I also love the fact that you pushed yourself harder than Chris wanted you to. He prides himself on pushing people out of their comfort zone and helping them to realize they are capable of more than they think. Instead, you turned the tables on him a bit and convinced him that you were capable of more than he thought. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that done before on EWL. And the fact that you ran that complete marathon after training for less than 6 months was amazing and inspiring. You showed Chris (and all of us) that we’re capable of doing far more than we think we are.

    I hope you find much joy in your new life in Arizona. Chris was excited to hear that you were moving there, but I suspect that your parents were sad since they are now probably missing their very special and newly famous daughter.

    Best of luck to you!

    -Lee

  3. This is so awesome and inspiring!!! The fact that burpees are your favorite makes you a rockstar in my books! Congrats on your marathon accomplishment as well and everything else you have done in the last year…truly amazing! 🙂

  4. Sara,

    You are remarkable! Watching you on Extreme Weight Loss and seeing your transformation was
    so inspiring:) I wish nothing but the best for your future!

    Way to go!!!!!

    Kirstin Becerra (Phoenix AZ)

  5. Hello Sara!

    I am so proud of your transformation! I am especially excited to watch your episode because like you felt, I feel like my height has held me back from a lot of things in life! It’s a constant struggle and battle with myself, my weight, and moving forward with opportunities for me. You are a TRUE inspiration and I cannot wait to watch you transform! You give hope to us women (and men) who may be a little shorter in stature, that nothing should keep us from succeeding our dreams! Thank you for your bravery this year; you will never know how stepping into EWL will touch millions of us who are going through the same struggle you did when you started the show!

    Keep on keeping on! You are an AMAZING woman!!~! NEVER FORGET THAT!

    Kindest Regards,
    Margaret =)

  6. Hi Heidi and sara, I loved the show last night it was my favorite so far!! Sara I can relate to you so well as I have a form of dwarfism. You and Heidi as well are such an inspiration to me!

  7. Sara-thanks for sharing your journey with the world! Watching you train and complete the marathon was so inspiring! You really have a “can do” attitude and I am happy that you have learned to believe in yourself!

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