Last Updated on October 23, 2012.
TSMMA Glendale Student Loses 100lbs Kickboxing
by: TSMMA Glendale
My name is Heiry Marmol and this is the story of my new beginning. Three years ago I started training at Tiger Schulmann’s of Glendale with Sensei Iavarone. I walked into the school weighing 295 lbs. I was only 18 years old. Initially I lost 15 lbs., but was not committed or dedicated at all. After 7 months my enthusiasm waned and I stopped training. All along I knew it was a bad idea leaving the school. I quickly gained back the weight I lost, and added more. Depressed and upset with myself, I thought it was the end of the world for me.
As weeks and months moved on I was gaining more and more weight. I felt guilty for letting Sensei, Joshu, and everyone who believed in me down. What hurt the most though was letting myself down. I was ashamed, embarrassed and afraid to go back to the school. I didn’t want anyone to see how much weight I gained back.
A little over two years had passed and I finally found the courage to face my fears. So when I had the opportunity to go back I knew I was doing the right thing. Nervously I called the school and Sensei picked up the phone. Although he sounded surprised to hear my voice, I knew he was going to be tough on me because I gained more weight. Yet if I wanted to change my life I had no other choice but to face it. So in the moment I asked him if I could start training again.
Sensei welcomed me back without any judgment or criticism. I can still hear him saying “I’m going to push you and expect me to be really tough on you.” I decided before I started my first class back I wanted Joshu to weigh me. Even though I was afraid of the scale and the possible look on their faces, I needed to see the consequence of what I had done, to take accountability. The scale read exactly 325 lbs. Desperately I wanted to break down and cry, but realized I was there for all the right reasons.
I knew I needed to make changes big changes in my daily routine to stay on track so I can reach my goals. When I came back to the school I was attending class three times a week. Three months later I wanted to intensify my training so I added more classes to my schedule to get to my goals faster which increased my routine to seven or eight times per week. Whenever I needed to miss class I would make sure to call Sensei and let him know I was not going to make it in. More importantly I made sure to actually make up the class to keep with my discipline. My eating habits have changed a lot as well. I refuse to go back to “the old me” by eating anything just because it was there. I watch my portion sizes and try to keep my meals high in protein. I drink multiple bottles of water throughout the day to stay hydrated while always keeping in mind Sensei’s words, “that discipline is the key to success”.
The journey hasn’t been easy, but with the support of Sensei and the community at the school I have the confidence to say I feel beautiful. My first month back in training I lost 14 lbs. and dropped two dress sizes. I couldn’t wait to tell Sensei the good news on my weight loss. I knew he was genuinely proud of me, (so proud that he continues to share my story with other students today looking to change their lives the same way I did. He even went as far as telling two visiting UFC fighters Louis Gaudinot and Nick Pace of my weight loss success. It makes me so happy to know I can inspire others.)
Ten months training strong now. I continue to check-in weekly with Sensei to share my progress. This is only the beginning of my new lifestyle and non-quitting journey to my ultimate weight goal of 150 lbs.. I’m delighted to say I’ve lost 100 lbs. since that first day back and I’m no longer ashamed of myself. I’m truly comfortable with who I see in the mirror. Most of all I feel proud that I’m fulfilling my goal to continue losing weight. I don’t rely on food any more as a solution to my guilt and problems because I realized that food does not taste as good as shopping for smaller clothes. I watch what I eat. I’m active in kickboxing and grappling, bike riding and jogging. It’s been such an emotionally fulfilling experience. I even recently ran the JFK 5K race, (which I successfully finished in forty minutes). Thank you Sensei and all my friends at Tiger Schulmann’s for believing in me and teaching me to enjoy the journey.
We at Tiger Schulmann’s are so very proud of all Heiry’s accomplished thus far and stand confident she will reach her goal in the near future. She’a a testament that anything is possible if you apply and believe. Congratulations Heiry, way to go!
