A few years ago, Kathleen Williams Ross tipped the scales at 409 pounds.
"I turned to food," said the Virginia mother, who has battled weight issues her entire life. "That`s what made me happy in life."
After having her son, Ross said she starting thinking more about her own health.
"That was a big factor," she said. "That couldn`t be my only factor. I had to want it for myself as well. You can`t do it for anyone else."
Ross said one day, she decided to take action to save her life.
"Just one day something clicked, and I said you know what? I have to do this. I want to do this," she said.
Ross said she started watching what she was eating by counting calories, usually sticking to 1200 to 1500 calories a day. She also started working out at Anytime Fitness several days a week.
"I can come here anytime I want," said Ross. "There`s sometimes I`m here at 1 o`clock in the morning."
Ross said it has taken around 2 1/2 years to lose the weight so far, and she is committed to continuing her healthy lifestyle.
"For the past year I`ve been maintaining this weight, and I still want to lose about 15 more pounds," said Ross. "But if I don`t lose another pound Jessica, I`m proud of what I am right now and I`m happy with my journey."
To celebrate her journey, NewsChannel 3 morning anchor Jessica Larche took Ross on a ziplining excursion at the Virginia Aquarium Adventure Park in Virginia Beach. Ross dreamed of zip lining years ago, but her weight exceeded the safety limits.
Ross said each step she took on the obstacle course was "a step further from who I used to be. I'm getting further away from where I was."
NewsChannel 3 wants to share your health and fitness journey! Send Jessica an e-mail about what has been working for you to jessica.larche@wtkr.com.
Watch NewsChannel 3 starting at 5 a.m. for more. Click here to see Jessica Larche's weight loss blog.
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