Roslindale's King Worked Hard for Her New Year's Resolution To Come True

The following was written by the YMCA of Greater Boston.

Roslindale resident Martha King remembers always being active as a kid.

She practiced martial arts, skied cross country, played ice hockey and was a competitive gymnast throughout her life. Even through college, King, would hit the gym sporadically and had memberships to multiple gyms throughout her life.

As an adult, King’s gym habits dwindled. She is now 49. Like most people, her busy life, coupled with long hours at her desk as an information technology manager, drained her motivation to put herself first. It wasn’t until after King quit smoking that she really started to see the scale rise.

“I was overweight and I didn’t look good. I also didn’t feel good. I felt like I was getting old fast and I knew that something had to change,” said King. “Deep down we all know there are no magic potions or silver bullets for achieving long-term lifestyle changes, but I am, however, a fan of New Year’s Resolutions.”  

In 2010, just before the New Year’s ball dropped in New York’s Times Square, King made a commitment to herself to make a major lifestyle change. She joined the Hyde Park YMCA of Greater Boston, used group classes to keep her motivated, and enlisted health and wellness staff for nutritional guidance and strength training techniques. Two years and 65 pounds lighter, King has gained her self-confidence back, increased her energy and, dropped seven dress sizes.

“The first change I made to achieve my fitness and weight loss goals was to exercise regularly. But, I didn’t lose a single pound in the first six months. Although I could have become discouraged, there were rewards in that I felt healthier and in better shape,” said King. “It’s simple but not easy. I stuck with it, but I also examined what else I had to change.”

King said she “eats the rainbow” of fruits and vegetables everyday to ensure that she is taking in all of the appropriate vitamins and nutrients from her food. She also eats whole grains, low-fat dairy foods, and lean proteins. She also avoids processed foods but will consume the occasional sweet, in moderation.

“One thing that the health and wellness staff at the Y really helped me with was starting a food journal and writing everything down. You see how quickly all of those sneaks from the work candy jar add up,” said King. “From the trainers to the fitness instructors, everyone at the Y rallied around my goals to help me achieve and maintain my weight loss. They care about what they do and really want to help.”