Losing weight can be a challenge. The more you have to lose, the more challenging the process. Most of us can stay in the game to shed 5 or 10 pounds but as the numbers grow, so does our resistance to long-term change.

In my experience I’ve found that the people who achieve weightloss and fitness success are those who partner for success. Today I want to share with you a success story that is near and dear to me. This is a great success story of two people: my mother Rose and myself. In September of 2007 my mother came to visit me in California for a week. My mother Rose is a wonderful mother and friend. She wants nothing more than to keep up with me in my active lifestyle.

Unfortunately, when she was here last September she was carrying around more than a little excess weight. This was her then:


Her long-term habit of overeating coupled with her sedentary lifestyle had gradually caught up to her and she was unable to keep up physically in just about any activity from walking on the beach to climbing stairs or hills to cruising through some of the shops and malls.

It was devastating for her. As I’d imagine it would be to any mother who wanted to enjoy simple activities with her son. But being the person she is, she didn’t let her disappointment stop her. Right then and there she decided to disprove the old adage about he cobbler’s children
having no shoes and she asked for help.

I was delighted. It’s what I do for others everyday and this was my chance to help my mother to get back to enjoying an active lifestyle. To give her a chance to participate in my lifestyle, as active as it is. As a CrossFit instructor, functional fitness is important to me.



When she made a commitment to change her sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet I made a commitment to be her partner in success.

I knew it would be a difficult task for my mother Rose to do on her own, just as it is for any of us. In partnering with her for success I chose to encourage and coach her through each step of this process. The first thing we did was to monitor and modify her food consumption. From there we made small steps to eating more fresh vegetables and fresh fruits. She started slowly and has steadily made great progress.

My mother Rose came to visit me again last month. This is her now:


After eight months of a modified diet and daily walking she has lost over 80 pounds. She looks better and most importantly feels better than ever. We both have a feeling of accomplishment for her tremendous weight loss. She’s overjoyed by the vitality she feels. She can do things that at one time she couldn’t. As for me, it feels great to be a partner in anyone’s success, but to help your own mother … there’s no better feeling!