I am no personal trainer.. or nutrition specialist.. I dont claim to be! But I recently lost enough weight, what some might consider as much as compared to a small child or animal.. 40lbs. I want people to know its possible and that if the want to they can do it. People keep asking me what diet I am doing or the best is when they ask, " Whats your secret?" ha Ladies and Gents its not a secret.. its called eating healthy and working hard!
          Some background info about me, I am 5 ft & 2 and 1/2 inches short, and have struggled with weight since the 5th grade. I was never severly over weight but definitely on the chunky side.  I was very active and outgoing and felt frustrated as I got older, that I wasnt blessed with a skinny slender body like some others my age. I blamed it on "big bones" which is ridiculous by the way. Being a dancer, I worried about my weight like most teenage girls, but I never felt I had much control because I worked out and never saw results.. I was on my high school drill team and was constantly on the go, but I also ate whatever I wanted and I never watched portions. 
         I realize now had I eaten healthy then, I would have seen results. They aren't joking when they say its 80% your diet and 20% physical activity. 
             6 months ago I reached a weight I had never imagined myself at. I was sitting at a wrestling tournament ( my family's sport) watching my little brother. I looked up to watch the next match which was 170 lbs.. and it hit me like a semi truck. Those big bulky guys I watched wrestle around on the mat weighed the same as 5 ft 2 1/2 not so little me.. And most of theirs was muscle. I felt so disgusted with myself and I also felt so out of control. I hated it and it was definitely my turning point. Don't think that this was easy, I have tried all the fad diets and tricks before, but this time was different.
       I was so inspired to change, to reach my goal. I completly changed my life. I realized hating myself and my body would get me no where. I couldn't propell myself on disgust and hate so I decided to write a list of things I loved about my body and hang it on my mirror to remind myself every morning. I still read through them 6 months later and eventually have added more and more!
       I am so happy.. which is silly because I am the same person I was 40lbs ago, and its not so much that I am skinnier and feel more comfortable in clothes, and its not the confidence, because I had that before...although it did improve! I think I am more happy because of the satisfaction that I put my mind to something and wanted it so much and worked so hard and accomplished it! Its an amazing feeling and I hope that I can help inspire others not just in getting healthy but to reach for whatever you want and work hard for it, because no matter what if its important to you, its worth it!!!