Summit resident Kara Richardson Whitely has lost 120 pounds, and climbed Africa's highest peak - Mount Kilimanjaro - the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, while raising over $12,000 for charity. Her story, which is documented on her website www.fatwomanonthemountain.com, was featured in the Oct. 2008 issue of Self magazine. Kara is a reporter for the Courier News in Bridgewater. Her American Fitness Professionals & Associates Nutrition & Wellness Consultant Certification will be complete this month. She volunteers as an American Heart Association spokeswoman, sharing her story to inspire others to make positive lifestyle changes.
She is now encouraging others to use physical challenges for charity as fitness goals, an effort called The Save the World Diet. In 2009, Kara -- who is still on her weight loss journey -- is taking on one each month. She has already done the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run and raised a few hundred dollars for UNICEF. Her next event will be the Penguin Plunge for Special Olympics, a dip in Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vt. on Feb. 7. (Yes, February!). All of the events are listed on her website, www.fatwomanonthemountain.com.
During her hour-long seminar titled, The Save the World Diet: How to Get Healthier and Make the World a Better Place, you may hear about:
1. Kara's 120-pound weight loss journey to the peak of Kilimanjaro
2. Using dreams to pave the path of weight loss and a healthy lifestyle
-Lose pounds doing things you love
-Discover and move toward your dreams
-Get past weight loss peaks, valleys and plateaus
3. Moving Mountains: How doing good can be good for you
-Fill yourself with purpose, instead of food
-Unleash your inner adventurer
This program is free and open to the public. Registration suggested. Call (732) 356-0043 to sign up or click here to register online.