Introduced to it by a guy I was dating. At the time, I had dropped roughly 78-80 lbs on my own, from my highest weight, and had been stuck on a plateau for several months. I had just joined Planet FItness (after years of not working out because of a severe back injury that left me in a wheelchair and required major surgery, it took me a long time to regain my mobility), and was focusing on baby-stepping back in. Treadmill and recumbent only. He introduced me to strength training, and showed me how to safely use machines and free weights, which broke that plateau and suddenly the weight started melting. I've since lost another 19-21 lbs of weight, and built some nice muscle so I'm sure I've lost more fat than that weight, and do feel less and less back and leg pain as a result.

Because I am doing things I never thought I could do. Aside from helping me lose weight much easier (as long as I keep my eye on types of foods I'm eating and portions), its giving me a new sense of.... It's hard to put it into words. I was told when I was 26 years old (the year of my back surgery) that the damage was so severe, I would inevitably end up in a wheelchair by age 40. Well, I refuse to accept that. Been there, done that, won't go back. Not this chick. So, I see strength training as a tool to stay out of that wheelchair. So far, so good :)