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Spotlight on Success - Shelley Kehoe
At five feet four inches tall, Shelley Kehoe has always been considered small boned and petite. An active wife and mother of three, Shelley tried to do her part to stay healthy. So when fifty-two year old Shelley went in for her yearly mammogram in 2004, it was just part of her regular routine. However, the results of the mammogram were anything but regular.
Shelley's doctor detected a mass that was imbedded very deep. The mass was so deep it couldn't be detected from the outside. There was no biopsy. Without a doubt, it was breast cancer. Surgery was immediately scheduled. Shelley had her first surgery in August and a second in October, followed by 7 weeks of radiation.
There were times during the treatment Shelley wanted to throw in the towel. But she persevered. She often looked to her daughter for inspiration and encouragement. Prior to the breast cancer diagnosis, Shelley's daughter had invasive scoliosis surgery. Shelley explains, "Her drive helped pull me through my treatments. If she can do it, I can too!"
Shelley fought a hard fight, and she won her battle against breast cancer. However, in March 2005 Shelley's oncologist became concerned. Shelley survived breast cancer, but now her blood pressure was off the charts and she was borderline diabetic.
You see, Shelley turned to food as a comfort during her treatment. She became what we commonly refer to as an emotional eater. But instead of gaining comfort and happiness, Shelley gained a significant amount of weight. Her small frame was now supporting 173 pounds.
Shelley's doctor actually recommended Curves. He felt that the hydraulic equipment was much better for strength training than weights. Even though she had her oncologist's recommendation, Shelley still wasn't convinced about joining Curves, but a trip to Target was the final turning point. When a size 20 pant fit her, Shelley fell apart. She was devastated.
The devastation quickly turned to determination. On March 8, 2005 Shelley joined the Concord / Clayton, California Curves. She was immediately hooked. The music and atmosphere were inviting and encouraging, but for Shelley it was all of the smiles that truly provided positive enforcement. Shelley watched as the members changed stations every 30 seconds as their circuit coached cheered them on. Everyone was smiling.
With her family 100% behind her, Shelley jumped in whole-heartedly. There was no tip-toeing. She committed to her Curves workout four days a week, Monday – Thursday. Shelley also changed her eating habits. She watched her fat intake, and simply started to eat healthy. The emphasis was not on a diet, but rather a lifestyle. Food was no longer seen as comfort. It was fuel.
Shelley's first goal was to be in a size 14 after 12 months at Curves. But by the end of that first year, she was actually in a size 8. And by December 2006, Shelley was down 60 pounds and was in a size 4!
Then in April 2007, Shelley made her usual trip to Mervyns to buy new pants in a smaller size. While she was there, a sales clerk asked Shelley about modeling for Mervyns. Shelley called a talent agent and has been a very busy model ever since.
Today Shelley remains breast cancer free and she continues to maintain her 60 pound weight loss. She's loving every day and living life to its fullest. Shelley explains, "I thank God for all of my blessings, and I never complain about a birthday. Birthdays are a good thing – a very good thing!"
Shelley's Teriyaki Chicken
- Marinate chicken breast all day in teriyaki sauce.
- Cut chicken breast into bit size pieces.
- Cook chicken (grill, sauté, or bake).
- Sauté onions.
- Add sautéed onions to chicken.
- Serve chicken and onions on a whole wheat roll with side salad.
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