By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON / Community Columnist

Mindy Hermecz is an inspiration to all who have battled with weight issues. A beautiful, healthy, physically fit teacher at Elvin Hill Elementary, Hermecz recently lost more than 100 pounds.

“I have always struggled with my weight,” said Hermecz. “When I was in fourth grade, a little boy told me I was fat. I quit eating and became anorexic.”

With her parent’s support and help from her doctor and therapist, Hermecz overcame her anorexia, but she became a picky, unhealthy eater. Soon her battle was obesity.

Hermecz graduated from the University of Montevallo with a BA in elementary education, where she met her husband Ryan. In 2007, Hermecz had a very difficult year. She broke her ankle which limited her exercise and her father died unexpectedly. She gained 40 pounds in a year and quit weighing herself once she hit 200 pounds.

Hermecz continued her education, earning her master’s in elementary education and education specialty degree at UAB, continuing to eat unhealthy.

In 2010, her sister got engaged and she was asked to be a bridesmaid.

“I did not want to be a fat bridesmaid,” said Hermecz. “I had tried everything and nothing worked. There was a Weight Watchers class at Elvin Hill and I decided to give it a try.”

Weight Watchers taught her to eat healthy and not to diet. She joined Kendal’s Slim Gym in Alabaster where her trainers pushed her to be as physically fit as she could be.

“I love exercise. It makes me feel good and is a stress reliever. My husband has been very supportive. He would work out with me or ride his bike with his headlight on so I would not have to run in the dark.”

Hermecz has lost from her top weight of 270 to her Weight Watchers lifetime goal of 169 pounds.

“Weight Watchers was my last resort. It is not a diet but a lifestyle change. I am healthy and happy today. I have learned balance and what works for me; I have never been this weight before. Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.”

 

Phoebe Donald Robinson can be reached by email at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.