"About a year ago, I started this journey. Well, let's be honest, I have started and stopped for years now. But last year, I became the most serious I have ever been. That doesn't mean I haven't had stumbles along the way, but it is the first time in my life that I have kept going.

I've been struggling the past month or so, and just in time, my facebook friends gave me the encouragement I needed. See, I posted the picture on the right last week after a fishing trip. Honestly, I was proud of my fish. Ok, I was proud of the fact I actually caught one. Not the size of the fish. Who am I kidding? That is bait! But that is not what anyone else saw. They saw that I have changed. My body isn't the same that it used to be. I have some serious body image issues (when I was thin I thought I was a whale and didn't even know I used to be thin until I had gained 90 pounds and saw a picture of myself before), but there is no denying that even though I still feel like I look like the girl on the left, I am undeniably physically different. I am 25 pounds from my goal weight, which will put me at a "healthy" BMI for the first time in 10 years. But more than a goal "weight", I have realized that what really matters is a healthy, fit body.

This new year, I kicked it into high gear with running and then started a boot camp class. Before, I had never ran more than probably a quarter of a mile and was scared to death to take a boot camp class. On February 6th, I ran a mile without stopping for the first time in my entire life. In March, I ran 2 5k's and I am signed up for my first mud run a week from tomorrow. I can climb hills without giving it a second thought. I can wrap a regular towel around me. I can cross my legs like a lady. I bought shorts last month for the first time in years. I could go on and on about what I have accomplished, but I want you to get the point of why I posted this: You can do this. And if you are in the middle of your journey and are feeling a little discouraged, remember that "The reason people give up is because they look at how far they have to go, not at how far they have come."

Keep going! You've got this. Don't give up on yourself. You've probably come a lot farther than you think. I know I have."