I was always on the chubby side as kid while my brothers got lucky and we're able to stay thin. Our home cooked meals were not very clean. We had a meat paired with things like boxed macaroni, Hamburger Helper and packaged rice sides that were loaded with preservatives and sodium.

I played outside as a child, played soccer, but as I got into my teenage years I became lazy. I still was encouraged to play sports and I participated in soccer, lacrosse, basketball and snowboarding. Even when I was in better shape I still had a crap diet and my only big meal was dinner at home. I didn't continue all my sports thru high school, was heavy going into college and got even heavier in the next few years.

I came home from my junior year in college and saw 217lbs on the scale. I was so upset, depressed, but mostly angry at myself for letting things go this long. I started subbing whole wheat for white, watching my portions and cutting out sugary drinks and fatty, salty snacks. I recorded everything, even how much I slept.

I would either walk, jog or run on the treadmill, use the Total Gym and miscellaneous weights in my parents basement. I also had a summer job at a clothing retailer which kept me on my feet for at least 8 hours a day.

By the end of summer in 2006 I had dropped close to 50lbs going back for my senior year of college as I know weighed in the 170's range. I shocked all my friends going back, I didn't even look like the same person. I kept up most of the progress I had made throughout the entire year and kept going to the gym about 3 days a week, sometimes more. I still drank and partied which is why I really didn't progress further, but I didn't completely fall apart.

After college I continued to workout either at the gym or at home doing weights or body weight training and running. I was around 138 lbs and felt pretty confident. I kept up my healthy eating, but I was 'skinny fat' and didn't really do too much about it. I met my fiance, kept running a little, but didn't really do any weight training consistently. We ate mostly healthy, fresh meals but the eating out and drinking caught up to me and left me closing in on 160lbs, tired, slow, injured and busting out my jeans. Time for a change.

I realize how much faster my body changes when lifting. You can't stay fit on cardio alone so I am always trying to incorporate some type of weight training, whether its machines, free weights or body-weight exercises. I want to be fit and right now I am not happy with my body.