for comfort . As she ate to soothe her pain -- Marnell 's weight spiraled out of control . Watch more on Jennifer Marnell 's journey '' `` It got out of control over the years because it became an addiction , '' said Marnell . `` Food did n't talk back to me and did n't tell me no ... I did n't know how to stop and listen to my body . '' Working as a nanny at the age of 27 , Marnell was 5-foot-tall and weighed 300 pounds . The wife and mother says a series of embarrassing moments such as not fitting into a restaurant booth , running out of breath while walking and lacking the energy to play ball or skate with her daughter -- took an emotional and physical toll on her health . But the final straw came during a trip to an amusement park with her family . `` We were at Six Flags waiting on a ride and we waited for an hour-and-a-half , '' said Marnell . `` When we got on , I could n't latch the belts because I was too big and they had to ask
DOUGLASVILLE , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Like many young girls , Jennifer Marnell always dreamed that one day she 'd become famous . Jennifer Marnell once maxed out at 300 pounds . She lost 180 pounds and is now a fitness instructor . Bubbling with personality and quite the ham -- she was no stranger to performing . Marnell loved singing , dancing and acting in local plays while growing up on the outskirts of Atlanta , Georgia . Even though her family showered her with adoration and unconditional support -- Marnell was hiding something that she was afraid to share with anyone . Since the age of 8 , she struggled with her weight . `` I was the only one in the whole family who was overweight , '' Marnell recalled . '' -LSB- They -RSB- were always supportive and told me I was beautiful ... I did n't realize how depressed I was because my family loved me no matter what . '' But other people were n't so nice . Marnell says classmates and other people teased or ridiculed her about her weight . Instead of talking about her feelings -- she turned to food