Two days after Stage II of LPGA Qualifying Tournament, Epson Tour professional Amy Ruengmateekhun (Garland, Texas) made a personal vow to get healthy. Four and a half months later, she posted a before and after picture on Instagram and wrote “50 times stronger, 50 times happier and 50 times lighter!" The amazing transformation is just underway for Ruengmateekhun, who has dropped 53 pounds since November.
Ruengmateekhun said that eating better and smaller portions (the only thing she completely cut from her diet was soda) has been key along with a newfound love for fitness. She now works out six days a week and does 30-45 minutes of cardio every time.
“I look at myself everyday now, not just because I look better, but because I feel so much better too,” said Ruengmateekhun. "I feel like I am waking up with a purpose now because I am getting closer to my goals. When I look at myself in the mirror, I’m like ‘I am so much happier now’ and this has been amazing."
The former Oklahoma State golfer said she has the goal of losing another 30-40 pounds by the end of the year.
“This is not just to be successful on the golf course, but to live a long and healthier life,” said Ruengmateekhun, who was out watching her brother play golf in the Dallas area during the telephone interview. “I want to enjoy life and I’m going to continue to do this. I want to see how far I can go.”
Ruengmateekhun missed the cut at the first tournament (IOA Championship), but was pleased with her overall energy level, which used to be a major problem.
“My core is a lot stronger now and in California (at the IOA Championship) I didn’t have trouble walking at all and that course is a little bit hilly,” said Ruengmateekhun, who used to struggle to walk 18 holes. “I was doing really well physically, I ended the week with the same amount of energy I started with.”
Believe it or not, the challenge now for Ruengmateekhun is adjusting to her new body on the golf course.
“I’ve been trying to hit everyday so I can adjust my swing to my body,” said Ruengmateekhun, who actually has gained ten yards of distance with her irons. “My body is literally changing almost every week.”
She lost 17 pounds in the first 12 days of training and dropped six pounds during the IOA Championship in California so her body is constantly evolving.
For a girl that used to just work out in college “because you have to” it is amazing to think that Ruengmateekhun has become an inspiration to so many.
“I want to do this now and I want to get better and I’m seeing results,” said Ruengmateekhun. “Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of messages from girls asking for advice and I think that is so cool. It used to be the other way around.”
“My goal is not to just become a successful LPGA golfer. I want to be a role model to my family, my brother and my high school goals (she is a volunteer assistant coach). Everyone goes through battles and it is not easy, but once you find the motivation and visualize what you want to do it becomes a lot more clear.”
LPGA friend Casey Grice recently came up to Ruengmateekhun and told her that she is such an inspiration and asked her to work out together. Lizette Salas was one of the many professionals that commented on her Instagram post.
Even when she is forced to eat out when traveling for tournaments, Ruengmateekhun has found an innovative way to control her eating. Once she gets the food, she asks for a to-go box and cuts the portion size in half before she even begins eating.
“I have so much more self confidence now,” said Ruengmateekhun. “This is something I can continue to do and I know I can continue to get better and healthier.”
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