I started at 238 lbs. The funny thing is that I didn't really have any problem with being overweight. I just wanted to shed a few pounds so I started walking and eating a bit healthier. As the weight started to come off and I received compliments, I joined a gym. It was a social event for me. A friend and I would walk on the treadmill and talk. I started to really enjoy going, whether I had a partner or not. I took a weight lifting class in college so that I could learn some new stuff in the gym, and I loved it. This has been a slow transformation, because I never was in a hurry to begin with. Now I exercise because I love it! I love the way my body feels being able to move free of so much unnecessary weight! When I started to do belly dancing, that was an added inspiration to become fit. I wanted to be able to perform the moves to be a successful dancer, and losing weight would help me with that. So many things contributed to my weight loss, that now being healthy is just a part of who I am. I love this lifestyle!

I love it because it is the truth. It feels good when I am happy, and when I am sad. If I am angry it is a positive outlet for that anger. I love lifting because I see and feel fast results, because it is still relatively new to me. I honestly have to push myself to lift weights, because it isn't as *fun* as other physical exercise is to me, but I am learning to love it. I love the results, and I love the feeling of strength. Music and mixing it up helps me. I like routine as far as time, but I like the freedom to chose what I am going to do. I reward myself with Yoga after a weight lifting session. I hope a year from now when I read this I will be in LOVE with lifting!