Amber Kowalowski timely story, since it both relates to the experiences faced by my family in the last few years, while also serving as excellent motivation for a New You in 2013. Thank you for  being so candid, Amber. You can learn more about Amber at TheFitnessBUFFet.com.

Writing about my father’s death is something I never thought I would do, but painful experiences happen.  I hope to inspire others with my story.

I lost my only parent when I was 23.  While this horrific event was enough, the long-distant estate work and extended-family disputes in the middle of thesis work pushed me into what felt like depression.  All I wanted was my father’s advice and all I could think about was the last time I saw him and our excitement for our 4th of July reunion.  My dad and I had a strong bond.  I had the utmost respect and love for him.

To cope, I started planning Christmas in July to feel something that resembled happiness.  It worked to a point.  Then Christmas was done and I was sad again.

I needed to feel better.  Turning to anti-depressant drugs or alcohol was not an option.  I stumbled across Tosca Reno’s Eat-Clean-Diet Recharged and it changed my life!  I became obsessed with everything in the Eat-Clean lifestyle.  Living and sharing my love of it became part of overcoming my sadness.  As grad school fat came off, I gave weights a try since cardio was my typical go-to.  The combo was unlike anything else I have experienced and I started to realize the “impossible”. “Maybe I CAN look amazing!”  This lifestyle transformed me physically and emotionally and brought some peace.

A year later, my goal was to compete in bikini competitions and within 6 months, I competed twice.  The feeling was unreal!  Today, I continue with the healthy lifestyle, which started as my coping mechanism.  My confidence-boost taught me to love myself, to love others, and to be self-reliant.  My health, helping others, and the distraction from the hurt only time could heal, brought be back to life.

Amber