Four years ago, Wendy Juliano struggled with health problems and could barely walk up a flight of stairs or bend over to tie her shoes, all because of her weight.

The Gilbert 38-year-old wanted her life back. So in March 2004, she underwent gastric bypass surgery, which created a small stomach pouch to restrict her food intake.

At 5 foot, 4 1/2 inches tall, she went from 290 pounds to her lowest at 123 pounds.

She was able to stop taking her heart and asthma medicine, stopped her breathing treatments and has a renewed sense of energy and self-worth.

“I’m a full-time wife, full-time student, full-time employee, full-time mom and full-time grandma,” said Juliano, who is due in March with her third child.

Juliano will join about 1,700 women Sunday for the fourth annual Iron Girl Tempe 10-mile and 5K run/walk at Tempe Town Lake.

It will be Juliano’s first run/walk, something four years ago she couldn’t even imagine .

“I figured I could do it,” Juliano said. “I just want to make it through, just proving to myself I can do it.”

After her surgery, she even started working for her surgeon as a medical assistant, helping other patients who had the surgery. For a year she helped educate them about the best eating habits and how to take care of their new body.

“It’s a tool. It’s not a guarantee,” Juliano said. “If you don’t work your tool, you can put the weight back on.”

She now works as an admissions intake specialist for the University of Phoenix, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in human services.

With her renewed energy, Juliano has taken cruises and renewed her vows with her husband of seven years, Robert. She also plans to skydive, something she never would have considered before her surgery.

Juliano also plans to sign up for other local run/walks, making it an annual event.

“I just want to accomplish this,” she said.

Carey Powell of Gilbert is also walking on Sunday. This will be her second Iron Girl.

“It’s so accessible for women like myself who are struggling with weight and struggling to stay fit,” she said. “You don’t feel like you have to be a triathlete to complete it. They encourage you and make you feel like it’s something anyone can do.”

The 30-year-old is trying to lose 80 pounds. She is a life coach specializing in women’s empowerment, and weight is the one aspect of her life she is still struggling with.

“For me, personally, I feel very empowered in so many other places in life, this is the one last thing I really feel would help me,” Powell said. “I sort of feel like I need to walk the talk.”

For information on the Iron Girl Tempe run/walk, visit www.irongirl.com/tempe/index-tempe.html.