If you’ve ever lost weight, you know it typically starts with looking at yourself in the mirror, seeing the few extra pounds that have gathered around your waist, and wanting a change. In my case, no mirror was needed — my body was telling me I needed a change. I was depressed, overweight, hypertensive, on blood pressure medication, and suffered from frequent headaches and body aches. Losing weight was no longer optional for me, it was necessary.

Over the past several years, my life has been defined by the stresses of work and life as a single parent living in a city just north of Los Angeles. At work, I routinely clocked over 60 hours a week in a high-stress environment, and I found myself in the habit of winding down with several glasses of wine with dinner and dessert most nights. The only nice gym was 30 minutes away and I was unwilling to spend that kind of time driving to work out, especially with a son at home.

I ran my first Bridge to Bridge race in San Francisco this year — a 12K run that began at the Ferry Building and ended at the Marina Green. While the run was grueling, any fatigue was well masked by glorious views of the bay and the Bollywood playlist pounding in my ears.