I was in a health rut in 1997. I would go to work at 6:30 am, get off at 2:00 pm, go home and eat junk food and fall asleep. Then, I'd wake up at 9:00 pm, watch TV and force myself to go to bed at 2:00 am. Day after day. When describing this to a co-worker, he suggested that I sign up at the gym he belonged to for one week, free of charge. I signed up for the free week and I was hooked so I paid for a 1 year membership in one lump sum with the mindset that if I paid for the whole year, it would make me keep going to get my money's worth. That's not what it took to keep me going because, as I stated earlier, I was hooked. My co-worker taught me how to work out, concentrating on proper form, while showing me different exercises to do for each body part and adding cardio to the end of each workout. Needless to say, I came out of the rut physically, mentally, and nutritionally. In 2009, however, I let myself go because life got in the way. In January, 2010 I decided to workout, to some degree, 4 to 5 times per week - NO MATTER WHAT.

I love working out because I've seen positive changes in my physique. Others have also noticed, giving positive comments, which helps keep me motivated.