Marika Ingram is part of the Organizational Developmental Training staff. A foster parent and cub scout leader, Ingram wants to be at her best while raising her kids and being active in the community.      

In 2014, Ingram weighed 234 pounds. At that time, she dealt with hypertension, sleep apnea, and high cholesterol. Ingram got motivated to get healthy and active after her son went through a tough situation at school. She now weighs 172 pounds.                     

“My son cried in my arms because he got upset at his classmates because they made jokes about my weight,” Ingram said. “My son begged me to lose weight. He said he’ll work out with me so we can both lose weight. With tears in my eyes, I looked at him and agreed.”

How long did it take to get used to the activities?

“It took eight months,” Ingram said. “That’s also when I began to see a difference in my body. Physically, I became much stronger. Drinking more water also helped me get used to being physically active.”

What workouts do you enjoy the most?

“A few of my go-to workouts are: walking, lifting weights, and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT),” she said. “My HIIT lasts for 20 minutes. It includes cycling and other cardio. That’s increased my strength, energy, and my ability to focus. Walking is something I can do anywhere, anytime, with no equipment besides a good pair of shoes. Lifting weights increased my metabolism, so my body burns calories even after I’m done lifting. That’s something I really like. I’ve been on this journey for years and I’ve experienced weight loss and gain, frustration and excitement. However, I encourage anybody to find a good workout routine, it’s very rewarding.”