After hours at the Health Science Center, you might run into Leticia Sanchez, research coordinator in the psychiatry department, at a local gym. While she was in high school she became addicted to food and, as years passed, her weight gradually increased to more than 300 pounds. It came to the point that it was vital for her to lose weight.
“I loved to eat a variety of foods,” Sanchez said. “Food comforted me.”
Sanchez said that no matter how much she tried to diet, it always became too challenging. But a few years ago, her colleagues joined a Jazzercise class and encouraged Sanchez to join them.
“I was hesitant at first, and a bit intimidated,” she said. “But they assured me that it would be fun.”
After attending just one class, Sanchez was hooked and never missed a day.
“I found such a joy in exercising,” she said. “I wasn’t just there to lose weight, exercising made me feel so much better about myself and gave me so much energy.”
Sanchez met an individual in the Jazzercise class that soon became her mentor. The woman had been overweight, as well, at one point. But after dieting and exercising, she lost 147 pounds and even became a Jazzercise instructor.
“She became my inspiration and a very close friend,” Sanchez said. “To this day, she still helps guide me in the right direction. We help each other.”
Sanchez now exercises every day and eats healthier, smaller portions of food. Due to her dedication, she has lost 155 pounds and still continues her healthy routine.
“After losing so much weight, I can finally believe in myself,” she said. “I still feel like I have an addiction to food, but I am able to control that now with my self-discipline and a strong group of encouraging friends.”
Sanchez keeps track of her meals and pays close attention to the size of her portions. She said she avoids red meat, and eats a lot of salads, chicken and turkey.
“I am still on my journey,” she said. “My advice to others is to take it one day at a time. The weight is not all going to come off right away. There are days when I feel like I can’t do this; but I just don’t give up.”
