In September of 2010, I made the decision to finally lose extra weight I had carried around all of my life. I was able to stick with my plan, losing around 30 pounds by January of 2011. After that, I felt I had hit a plateau and needed a new plan of action. I decided that I wanted to start primarily lifting weights to gain muscle, build strength, and tone all over. I quickly became addicted to the feeling I'd get after a good lift session, and I've been hooked ever since.

I love bodybuilding, and working out in general, because I get such an incredible "high" afterwards. I know I've done something amazing for myself, and I feel so empowered and strong. Neither are things that I see as chores; I look forward to each and every session, planning ahead and making sure I am able to get a full, hard session in. Bodybuilding and working out have become my personal therapy sessions, relieving any and all pent up stress, anger, sadness, or any other negative feelings trapped inside of me. I am so thankful that I was able to discover such a natural stress reliever that I love doing so much.