Leah Helps Moms Live Healthy After Her 100-Pound Weight Loss

Every week, we introduce you to bloggers who share their weight-loss journeys and hefty doses of inspiration with their readers. This week's featured blogger isn't really a blogger -- she's Leah Segedie, the creator of Bookieboo, an online fitness community.

Name: Leah Segedie

Age: 32

Start Weight: 253 pounds

Current Weight: 145 pounds

Goal Weight: 140 pounds

My Weight Loss Approach: Slow, dedicated and consistent.

Why I started Bookieboo: Bookieboo started after I lost more than 100 pounds. I went from a size 22 to a size 8 -- it was a pretty major weight loss. Then something happened that had me reaching out online: My closest friend got a day job and stopped hanging out with me every day. I needed a hobby, so I turned to the Internet.

At first, it had nothing to do with creating my own community; rather, I wanted to find a community just for moms interested in healthy living. I also wanted to mentor other moms who needed help learning about fitness and were interested in losing weight. There was nothing out there, so I created a community that I knew I would have been happy to join.

The name Bookieboo came from my son -- I used to call him Bookieboo when he was just an infant. I lost the weight for him because I didn't want him to grow up with an overweight mom. I knew that his chances at health would be minuscule if my health was poor. The drive to make myself a better role model for my family was what carried me the entire journey. It gave me a sense of purpose and brought out the "mother lion" in me.

Later, after my second child, I lost an additional 70 pounds. Today, Bookieboo is a supportive community for moms, as well as an online magazine for moms who are into fitness, weight loss and healthy living. The community houses a magazine, a sorority and its own online TV show, as well as healthy forums and groups.

The best part of the online community is: Bookieboo is a place for real women. No one on my site has all the answers, and everyone has a stake in the community. We welcome all shapes and sizes, so you aren't judged if you are new to the game. The levels of activity range with the members -- some have been fit for life, and others are coming for weight loss support. But the forums are supportive and the people involved are stellar.

What's next for my site: Bookieboo has been very busy working with sponsors to create blogging opportunities for everyone as well as fitness and family giveaways. And we are always looking for talented writers that have a love of health and fitness.

One thing that's very unique about Bookieboo is that it houses the Mamavation campaign. Mamavation is an online docudrama and weight loss support group for moms in social media. The docudrama is an actual boot camp that two moms, known as Mamavation Moms, go through virtually with fitness equipment and professional support. Their lives are put on a public stage with blog posts, videos, tweeting and appearances on the Mamavation online TV show. Then they graduate and stay within the community for additional support. Mamavation Moms come from all over, but in order to take part you have to apply. Applications for Mamavation Mom will be available the last week of the year.

Want to learn more? Check out Bookieboo or Mamavation communities.

More Success Stories:
Eating Whole Foods Helped Anna Lose 75 Pounds
Ben Chose Life and Beat Obesity and Depression
Linda Lost 100 Pounds by Cheating on Her Diet