London, Ont. woman documents amazing weight loss journey while striving for new career
Christina Topic is on a mission to start a new career.
"I've always wanted to be a police officer," says Topic, 35, from London, Ont.
She's on her way to making her dream a reality, but until recently she felt it was impossible. In 2019, she decided to change her life after a vacation with her friends and family, opened her eyes.
"My one girlfriend took a picture of me from the side and after I got out of the water, I saw the picture of myself and burst into tears because I couldn't believe that was me," says Topic.
Just over two years ago, Christina weighed 330 pounds.
"I got home on Nov. 1, 2019 and that was the day I did my first workout and I haven't stopped," says Topic.
Over the past 26 months she's lost 140 pounds and now hopes to go from working as a police dispatcher, to being an officer.Christina Topic, 35, works out in the basement of her London, Ont. home on Jan. 19,2022. Topic has dropped 140 pounds as she strives to become a police officer. (Brent Lale / CTV News)"It's always been a dream of mine and being able to help somebody at their absolute worst is something that I've always been really attracted to, but my weight always held me back from that," says Topic.
"I decided that kind of the next best option where I still got to help people every single day would be to become a police dispatcher. So that's my current job and I absolutely love it but I still had this fire burning inside me that I just wanted to achieve that goal and I'm almost ready to apply."
Once unable to even run for 30 seconds, Topic can now do five km without stopping. She runs, cycles, stretches and works out every day before and after her job which requires 12-hour shifts.
Topic has been documenting her journey on Instagram and TikTok while gaining thousands of followers. She's inspiring others and receives dozens of messages daily.
"It requires motivation, resiliency, mental toughness and having strategic specific goals in place," says Sarah Pinhal, a London, Ont. psychotherapist and personal trainer.
"I think she did an amazing job of demonstrating what our capacities are as human beings even through tough times and challenges."
Christina Topic, 35, works out in the basement of her London, Ont. home on January 19,2022. Topic has dropped 140 pounds as she strives to become a police officer. (Brent Lale / CTV News)With closures to fitness centres, the pandemic has been difficult on people who enjoy going to the gym and staying active.
Pinhal believes it is a growth mindset that helps people like Topic achieve their goals, even during times where obstacles can be presented.
"I can control how much water I drink and how I sleep at night," says Pinhal. "I can also control the foods that I put into my body and just getting up and moving. It doesn't have to be going to a gym. It just means simple body in motion."
That's what Topic has done.In what she refers to as her second job, she's made a conscious decision to wake up and put herself first every day. Her meals are on point as she strives to be her competitive best.
"I know it sounds kind of crazy, but I give myself a high five in the mirror and I say 'Okay, today's going to be better than yesterday ,” says Topic. "That's my goal every single day. I am better today than I was yesterday."
In addition to aiming for a new career in law enforcement, Topic is also preparing for her first fitness competition in Texas later this year.
Her journey to that competition will also be part of a documentary on Amazon Prime in the U.S.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.