Always have been in to fitness but lost my way after I had my daughter, 2007. Gained 37lbs during pregnancy and kept 25#s of that for a cpl years. Had trouble figuring out how to juggle it all and what I needed to do to get some weight off. Had ups and downs (20#s worth) on the scale between 2008-2010. By mid-2010 I finally figured out how to maintain the weight loss. I wanted more, to be better, look better but needed to commit! Thought I could get where I wanted to be slowly. But working out weekdays and partying on weekends doesn't cut it. January 2013 started eating really well, all clean and have seen reallygood results. It's still a slow process for me but I have some definitive goals and time frames. I've even considered a fitness competition for late 2013 or 2014. We'll see what levels my mind can take my body to over the next 4 months.
Update 11/2016: I've been strength training/bodybuilding for 4 solid years now...5 days a week min. Always working on adding more muscle to my frame (in particular my upper body) and changing my body composition. More muscle, less fat! Because who doesn't want to eat more!!
Love the feeling free a great workout. Love the "beast mode" strong, the new defined muscles and curves I see develop. Love the "skinny" compliments (even though it's not skinny they're looking at, it's FIT!!) Love being the resident expert and the one all my friends and co-workers turn to when they have a nutritional, workout, fitness question. Love the confidence and what my exercise regime is teaching my daughter. Love that I am able to do what I can with my body and love all the new challenges fitness brings.
Update 11/2016: Bodybuilding correlates to many other situations in life. It's not just about changing and building your physique. As you work toward your goals, you learn many things about yourself and your work ethic and what amount of effort you are willing to put in and how strong your desire to change dictates that effort. Nothing works unless you do! The confidence gained from physique improvements is incomparable to any other achievement. You don't even need to speak for someone else to see you've put some work in.