I've been exercising since High School. I was diagnosed with severe asthma when I was 7 and it became life threatening when I was 12. I was so sick I dropped down to 98# at one point (I was about 5'7" or so I think at that time) and then ballooned up to almost 200# thanks to steroid therapy. So getting my weight under control has always been important to me. With kids came weight gain except for when I was pregnant with my twin boys I actually lost weight. With each pregnancy (there have been 3) a little more damage was done. I lost muscle tone, endurance, and lean muscle. After the twins were born in 2009 I was determined not to look like I was still pregnant or that looked like I even had kids. I wanted to be healthy, in shape, and in control of my body. And I did a great job thanks to the "Insanity" DVDs. I looked really good for about 6 months or so until the stresses of getting my Associates degree and asthma flare ups began to prevent me from working out.

Thankfully, I don't think I look awful but I'm definitely not proud of how I look either. So here I am. I still have minor flare ups with my asthma but I know when I can push myself and usually a good cardio workout actually makes my lungs and breathing better/easier. I'm ready to exceed everyone's expectations--especially my own.

I love working out because it gives me the natural boost that I need. EXERCISE IS MY MEDICINE. I'm trying to juggle four kids (including twin boys, age 4 1/2), the needs of my mother who is disabled with a chronic pain condition, managing a household, nurturing the great relationship with my fiancé of 1 year, fitting in time for my friends, and taking care of myself. I am managing two chronic illnesses: severe asthma and bipolar disorder. Exercise is key to managing both.