This Time Last... August, 2014

Taylor Bacarro came to Blue Ridge in August of 2014 with more in mind than just her educational goals. Having just graduated from high school, Taylor was treated by her grandparents to a cruise. Also traveling with them was her cousin, a sleek, athletic and active teen. What Taylor witnessed was her cousin participating in many of the activities on the cruise that she couldn't or was not allowed to do because of her weight. She determined at that point to do something about her weight; thus started her quest. What would transpire would be 0-to-101 lbs. in just thirteen months!

No one could have been more excited about the Rec Center than Taylor as she began her studies in the fall of 2014. Since that time, Taylor has lost a total of 101 pounds and is working on the next fifty. Those who frequent the Center have seen and noticed in amazement the pounds dropping off. Even Taylor herself admits that it is sometimes hard to believe how she looks now compared to just a year ago. Therein lies her greatest motivation... she never wants to be like that again.

If you ask Taylor how she has accomplished all she has so far, she is quick to respond with her workout regimen and change in her eating habits. In the Rec Center Taylor was able to carry out her self-developed exercise program beginning simply with walking on a treadmill. She went from treadmill to Insanity in just over one year! By way of YouTube, Taylor looked up exercises and workouts that she incorporated into her own program, many of which are found in the quite challenging Insanity program.

Exercise is only part of the key to her success. The other is a change in her eating habits. She now watches what she eats as well as how much she eats. Some of the things she has cut out are soft drinks, chips, and of course every girl's delight... chocolate. She does allow herself a "binge" day every week and a half.

Taylor points to the benefit of having a place like the Rec Center right on campus for students to use. She feels that the Center has a lot to offer, her favorite aspect being the cardio rooms. If you ask her what pointers she would pass on to motivate others she would say to start out with small goals and work your way up, and to make it fun and not to think of it as a chore.

If you ask Taylor how she is feeling now that she has lost so much weight, she gets a big smile on her face, and rightly so. Beyond feeling good about the way she looks, she will tell you she has a lot more energy now and that she has noticed her anxiety level going down.

Congratulations Taylor! You are an inspiration to this community. Keep it up... we are proud of you!

This is the first in a feature series called, "This Time Last..." where we recognize Rec Center members' success stories. If you have a success story to share, contact Donna Miller at the Center or by email at millerd2@brcc.edu.