I was always skinny growing up. I did spend much of my teens and 20s with a little extra around the stomach but mainly due to very horrible diet and very little exercise -- but I still looked more or less flat in front, and I looked like a stiff wind would blow me over.

At some point though, I gained the freshman 15, that probably was more like the freshman 50. With my big frame, not a huge problem -- except with no clothes on I looked horrible. I don't "carry a few extra lbs" well unless they are covered up, then it looks fine.

Up to today, in early 2016, I've gained, then lost, roughly the same 40-50lbs at least 3 times now, with this year now being the 3rd time (or maybe 4th?). I've managed to lose about half of the weight I want to lose, so hopefully by the end of Summer I'll be more or less done with that.

First off, I hate it a little, because I have to do stuff. Time spent here could be spent elsewhere where I am not sweating and grunting moving weights around.

However, I feel better overall through exercise. I like to be thinner and with increased muscle mass. I want to look good, clothed or in bathing attire. I want to avoid chronic but preventable disease. This makes working out worth it. And I don't even hate the act itself so much as I would love to have the time to use for other things.