I have worked out off an on over the past several years. This past year I fell into a major rut. I got laid-off and that plus the fact that I am a major stress eater allowed me to gain over 30 lbs. I didn't really realize that I had "expanded" after months of wearing one size fits all pj's most everyday. I started working out in Dec 2011. I started at 187 lbs and 42% body fat. One of the main things that triggered my desire to get in shape is when I realized that as a mother of 4, I was now the biggest I had ever been in my entire LIFE, EVEN IN PREGNANCY. I had my husband take some pictures, and it was literally disgusting. He had been mentioning for months about my health/weight and that I should start exercising etc. Now, I could see first hand what he was talking about. At first, working out was not easy. It was not easy to pop out of the bed an hour earlier than everyone else. On mornings I needed extra motivation I looked at before/after pictures of others who had committed themselves to changing their bodies. It helped! Now going to the gym and working out is so rewarding, if I have to miss a day I feel terrible as if my whole day started off wrong!

I enjoy working out. It is a sense of pride. I enjoy lifting weights much more than cardio. However, I have learned to enjoy it with doing intervals or making a game out of it to pass the time. It makes me feel awesome to have people come up to me at the gym and commend me on my motivation. I love the way it makes my body feel, and to watch the changes that happens to my body. It is amazing to see what all your body is capable of, and seeing your results.