A Naples woman is featured in the latest edition of People Magazine after they got wind of her incredible health-conscious transformation.
Caitlyn Mannherz was 275 pounds and was able to shed half her bodyweight.
She made it into the magazine after one of People's reporters discovered her major weight loss.
When the reporter reached out to her over Facebook, she didn't think it was real, but now she's celebrating a dream come true. "It's so surreal, the whole thing," Mannherz said.
She's one of six people featured in People's "Half Their Size!" edition.
"I was really happy because it really shows how happy I was and excited about my whole journey and the whole experience," Mannherz told Four in Your Corner's Lisa Greenberg.
Her journey started five years ago with frightening news. "I went to a doctor when I was 21-years-old and he told me I had the onset of type two diabetes," she said.
Feeling unhappy, sluggish, unmotivated, and unhealthy, Mannherz decided to take control. "I realized it was an imbalance somewhere in my body, and it was coming from the horrible foods I was eating," she said.
She did her research online and read books about healthy eating, then completely turned her diet around.
Mannherz strives to eat organic whole grown foods, antibiotic and hormone free meats, and taught herself to cook. "It's not a mad dash to be your thinnest. You have to learn to maintain all along the way," she said.
Over four years, she shed nearly half her 275 pounds, now weighing in at 140.
"It's crazy. When I look at it, I feel like it's almost like I unzipped a fat suit," Mannherz said while looking at an old photo of herself.
Mannherz said the best part is being able to inspire others to join her in her journey, and wants you to know while it may take time and a lot of hardwork, it's a journey worth taking.
"You have a choice. You can feel like garbage, or you can feel good. It' sjust a matter of are you going to reach for the healthy option, or are you goign to reach for the horrible option," Mannherz said.
Mannherz is now a wellness coach and is going to school to be a Naturopathic Doctor one day.
She said she keeps in touch with the other five people featured in the magazine, sharing their experiences and helping each other along the way.
The magazine issue is on newsstands now.
"You really can make anything happen you want. Anything is possible for you," Mannherz said.
Click here for Mannherz's website.
Click here for Mannherz's Facebook.
