At 36 years old, Karen Castillo of Carpentersville hasn’t yet faced many of the risk factors associated with being overweight, but she is feeling the effects of carrying 206 pounds on her 5-foot-4-inch frame.
“I get winded when I walk up stairs and can’t even run a mile on the treadmill without stopping to walk,” she says. “I love outdoor activities like rafting and rock climbing, but my body isn’t on the same page.”
Castillo’s motivation for participating in this year’s competition is simple.
“I’m sick of being fat.”