8 weeks before her mother died, Henson remembers entering the home after a workout. She'd lost 100 pounds at this time. Her mother researched at her and said, "You're pretty."
"We both just started crying," Henson said. "I posess zero clue why she said hello; rit had been ra memorable moment."
Mama Henson passed away in August 2012.
Whenever Henson loses sight of why she's exercising or skipping sweets, she thinks about her mom's smile and how much she wanted her daughter to be happy.
"I knew she was happy with me for reducing weight," Henson said. "I know she felt I was going to be OK now that rI'd lost the load."
upwave: rTry it now! Reduce sugar
In the past year, Henson makes rmuch more changes to her diet. She's rstarted to eat items like quinoa, wheat grains bread and fresh vegetables.
"There was a time when you couldn't have gotten broccoli anywhere near me." However she roasts it and includes it in her meals for that week. She cooks in bulk on the weekends, freezing meals in individual containers for during the week so she knows exactly how many calories she's eating. She aims to consume 1,200 calories each day.
In less than three years, Henson has lost 166 pounds, or 50% of her bodyweight. On March 8, she celebrated the three-year anniversary of her initial step into Anytime Fitness.
Losing the weight rhelps her find an inner strength. rIt allows her to see a peek at the strong, accomplished woman her mother always saw.
One of Henson's passions continues to be taking part in 5K walks for charity. Since she started working out rthree years ago, rshe has rtook part in five walks and recently finished one out of 46 minutes, her personal best.
Henson's transformation has been so complete that her doctor, rthat has been monitoring her progress since she started losing weight, uses her pictures to show patients exactly what a little determination can do.
"The smallest of changes one can make within their present lifestyle can garner big changes," Henson said, "not only within the physical body, however in rthe mind."
