I was a total slug. I was never good at anything athletic. I'm a nerd/dork/geek and hated running, hated sweating, hated working. I loved candy (still do) and hostess cupcakes. And I would yo-yo diet every time I started to get bigger and angsty with my weight... but I was horrible to myself. yes you can eat a calorie deficit with crap. no it's not going to be healthy or mentally good for you. I have a history of drug abuse and once I got clean I still was anti-me in other ways. I realized that I was wasting my life. Something snapped and I just started researching everything fitness. Started following inspirational people online (FB, IG, etc.), started going to the gym full time and eating healthy... Started cooking more.... Reading and educating myself so I could be smart about what I was doing. Pretty soon I became addicted to this new life and feeling good. I'm just a normal person... trying to appreciate and love what I am so lucky to have. One day at a time.

I love that my son looks up at me and says that I'm so strong.
I love that it motivates him to want to be strong too.
I love that my husband notices my body changing.
I love getting to go shopping for new clothes that are stylish instead of shopping in the baggy clothes section.
I love sweating... it makes me feel powerful.
I love that I have me time that is positive and good for my body, mind, and spirit.
I love the camaraderie of the gym people and fitness minded.