"Bust a Move for Breast Health changed my life"



Karni, before October 2009





Karni Sweeney was a big girl for most of her life. Or so she told us, as she sat in front of us at Tim Horton’s in her size small t-shirt and size nine jeans. That all changed when she heard about Bust a Move last year, from her employer, Micco Companies, a sponsor of Bust a Move for Breast Health. She signed up in October of 2009, determined that this was her chance to get active. In just over a year, Karni has lost 50 pounds, and the days off wearing a size18 pant and double XL shirt are long gone.





“Bust a Move was life- changing,” said Karni. “If it wasn’t for Bust a Move, I would never have started moving.” Her resolve to get up and move started in October of 2009. By the end of December, she had dropped a full clothing size. “I couldn’t believe it. Before Bust a Move, I was worried. If I couldn’t work out for 6 hours in a week, how could I do it in one day?”



Karni, today



Her story began and continues to evolve in small steps. Her first goal was to get off the couch and move every day. She then began making little changes in her lifestyle – like having one milk in her tea instead of three cream. Once that became a habit, her goal was to lose 10 pounds. And then another 10. In December, Karni strengthened her resolve and only missed the gym on four days.



By the Bust a Move event in January, Karni had lost 20 pounds and was looking better than ever, but she wasn't ready to stop. Bust a Move had changed her life and shown her what she was capable of. She found a workout partner and continued her quest for better health. She even partnered with one of the trainers at Palooka’s Gym and created an all-women boxing class that attracts participants from the ages of 20 to 60.



Karni didn’t face this challenge alone. Her resolve inspired her family to take their health into their own hands as well. Her mother and sister-in-law both lost significant amounts of weight. “Together, we’ve lost the equivalent of a good-sized teenager,” Karni joked. Her teenage son has been a wonderful support system, and often accompanies her to the gym. He has, for the first time, joined a school sports team. Her brother quit smoking, and her father quit smoking as well as drinking. Karni single-handedly got her entire family up off the couch, moving and healthy.

“I’ve said it ever since and I’ll say it for the rest of my life,” says Karni. “Bust a Move for Breast Health changed my life.”

Karni and her boxing instructor, Rachel Gardiner