I've always been a fitness junkie. As far back as I can remember I remember working out. Exercise was always a part of my lifestyle. Probably because it was a part of my Mom's. I remember waking up early all the time when I was 6 and sneaking downstairs to watch my Mom exercise. Us kids would do Buns of Steel and Tae Bo just for the fun of it while our parents worked.
But then one day exercise became a necessity... sometime in 7th grade. We started hanging out with the popular girls and somehow our cute figures became horribly grotesque in our minds. And the pretty girls were always trying to figure out how to get rid of their love handles and whatnot. I always ended up being the one training them.
And then 9th grade came and I became consumed with grades and scholarships. Everything else went on the back-burner. Until my Junior year when my mother and I started working out. And we were getting into great shape! But because I am SUPER competitive (especially with myself) I kept pushing myself harder and further. And I ended up dropping down to 80 lbs... and that's when the doctor told me I was going to die. The world stopped. I had to stop and hit reverse, but it was extremely difficult. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. And I kept working out and gaining, but couldn't stop. Not until I reached 150 lbs and once again a doctor told me I could die any day (from other health conditions).
But this time the world didn't stop. Life finally began. I stopped caring. I started living for myself and doing whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. It was the most amazing time of my life. I lost weight not because it was my goal, but because it came second nature to my lifestyle. I was like the energizer bunny. I never slept and I was always out living life and having fun! I rode my bike every day. I hiked in the mountains and ventured new trails. I went streaking and stargazing. I ran away to California and Las Vegas for a week and only spent $50 total. We were crazy in love with everything.
But I didn't die. Somehow I was blessed and my health problems vanished. And then adulthood kicked in. And everything tumbled out of control. Once again stress took over. And then I ended up pregnant and once again my life was hanging by a thread... I went through a series of serious illnesses that they worried I would not survive and never thought my baby would. But April 19th a perfectly healthy baby girl was born and I promised myself that I would fight for my life every day and bring joy to her life for the rest of mine.
During my pregnancy my Mother was struck by a car riding her bike home from work and she lost the use of her left hand. It has forever changed her life. She is no longer able to do any of the things she loves. We were talking one day when she told me how she will never be able to do the things she always wanted to because of her injuries. It broke my heart. I realized I never want regrets. That means that today is the day. This is the time of my life when I should be living to find the happiness I once had. And I know that fitness is that road. I am going to be everything that I have ever wanted to be and the person that I know I am inside. I am a fitness junkie!

I love working out because it is everything that is great about this life.
We have been blessed with beautiful bodies. Why waste them?
It is the greatest natural high. It lifts your spirits. It brings you joy. It helps you to overcome your fears, doubts, and trials. It is a stress-reliever and mood-enhancer. You learn respect and earn respect. And helps you to realize everything you are capable of. :] live it. love it. Do it.