Weight has always been a problem for me, even in my teen years (even though I wasn't fat by any means...). In August 2007, I was at my highest of 214 lbs and for a 5'3" 25 yr old, it wreaked havoc on my self esteem. Luckily, I carry my weight well and it is easy to hide most of the time. I also gain muscle well so much of my excess weight, I am boldly going to say, might come from heavy muscle.

I was always sporty and had pride in my stocky muscular legs, arms and back and flat tummy. I always had a bubble-butt (which I now know men love) and meaty upper thighs, but now after gaining 70+ pounds since graduating high school, I have huge thighs, hips, a tummy, unshapely back and arms, and a crater butt. Not to mention all the stretch marks EVERYWHERE. It's a very disheartening thing to see your body change like that, and I'm sure many of you reading this can relate.

When I hit rock bottom, I decided to start running. I have never been a runner and always said I never will. But that changed... big time. I got off to a very slow start walking 2 minutes, jogging 1 minute for 30 minutes and worked my way up to now being able to run 10 minutes straight and walk 1 minute for 6km. I run now for the joy of it. I went to the running room in Calgary when I visited my sister and got myself hooked up with some good running gear. What a motivation!

Update December 2009:
Since I started running and working out I have lost a total of 40 pounds ...so far! I feel so healthy even though I still have 40 pounds more to lose. I can finally see that this weight loss thing is possible and I'm determined to reach my goals!!