Since middle school, I've been an on-again off-again fitness and nutrition enthusiast.
Putting my partying days behind me after reaching a point of total disgust with myself, I've decided to let my inner fitness and health nut come out and stay out.
Since July of 2012, I've been working my way into the best shape of my life setting small goals along the way. I taught myself how to run and have been known to do just about every home workout in the book.
I was resistant to joining a gym basically due to intimidation. Well that all changed when I had to out of necessity. (Fractured my radial head jogging on a business trip.... long story). With my initial goal of running a half marathon still in mind, I spent my first month as a gym goer maxing out on cardio; the only approved gym activity by my doctor.
Gradually, I began to realize that although I had impressed myself with my ability to run for 9.25 miles in the beginning of April without stopping (versus only being able to run for about 6 mins straight on my first go back in October...) long distance running was not giving me my dream physique.
Enter bodybuilding.com. Boom, there it was. All the resources I could ever need to find exactly the adjustments (and mostly overhaul) I needed to make to my fitness routine and diet.
This long road has lead me to a place of confidence rather than guesswork and I am proud of how far I've come and am excited to be a lifelong student of exercise and nutrition. We'll see what happens next. For now, I've set my sights on lowering my body fat, gaining muscle, and finally loving every inch of me. From there, who knows? I might just want to hit the stage. :)

I have an addictive personality. And I've finally become hooked on something beneficial to me. I love seeing the results. Hell, I even love the struggle. Every bit of it makes all of me stronger, wiser, and more satisfied with life. I love going to bed exhausted from a hard-won day. I want to make the most of this life, find my limits, and push past them. I also love when I inspire others. Makes me feel actualized as a human being. It's become more than just a hobby I desperately needed to drop smoking, drinking, and all the horrible things that come with it--- it's become my lifestyle. And I love every second of it.