I never saw myself as a sporty, fit person. I played hockey and swam while in high school, but it was just something I did to stay a bit active and to keep myself from gaining weight.

I started running after getting engaged, as I wanted to lose some weight and get rid of my extra nervous energy. After we got married, I started going to the gym with my husband and working out with weights. What a difference I saw in my body shape! I became toned and felt stronger, and the extra muscle tone improved my half marathon running times.

We moved recently and I let myself go a little, finding it hard settling in. However, I have just joined the gym in our new town, started running again and I am pumped to get into the best shape of my life!

Exercise gives me a sense of well-being. I love how strong, yet feminine, I feel after a good workout.

What I love the most about working out is that you can see the results of what you put in. When times get tough and your level of motivation is low, you can look back on where you came from and draw inspiration from that, and the strength to go on.

God gave me a healthy, functioning, beautiful body and I will do my best to praise Him through it!