Let's Begin Where I Began.

             There was a point when I looked in the mirror and almost never recognized myself, I wasn't "FAT", I wasn't "skinny", I just wasn't who i knew I could be. I was overweight in MY eyes and I put this out there because I by no means "obese", I just wasn't happy with myself and Being happy with yourself is the most important thing you can do.  

Here is a photo of me in July of 2011: 

           I couldn't look at myself without feeling angry, upset, or depressed. Every year in August I help teach one of the largest Collegiate mascot camps in the US. 3 weeks before I hardly fit into my staff uniform, that's when it hit me! I started cutting out my carbohydrates almost completely, I was losing weight but i was tired, sluggish, and most of all HUNGRY. I knew that cutting my carbs would be a "quick fix" I knew this because I cut carbs for my wedding and lost 11lbs and I gained it all back along with 15 more. I lost 6 lbs just to fit into my staff uniforms and continued to eat "low carb" till October, when i started boot camp. Boot camp was one of the best things I have ever done for myself (thanks Brigette)! I felt better, my body was looking better, and most of all i had a support system, someone to push me to be better! Watching my body completely change and being able to make right eating choices without a so called "diet" was amazing.

This is after about 6 or 7 months of boot camp and 25-27lbs lost:

       Many of you probably know I am NOT a gym person!! I pay for a membership and I never go (thank god our 2 year contract just ended)! if you're like me classes are a great option, you can pay per class and it's only at a specific time so you cant say "I will go tomorrow". There are tons of classes and boot camps out there, Here is a link to my boot camp: http://www.campsweatnola.com/. This is the only boot camp I have used and I swear by it! These classes are also great if you get bored of the same routine, the classes are never the same! If you don't have the spare cash or time for this, workout at home, find a good workout video or go online and find a workout (I do abs while i watch TV)! There are so many different ways to get in shape you have no excuse, if you can get on Facebook for a few hours a night or watch your favorite TV shows after work, you have time to workout! There is something for everyone!

           I said before that the most important thing is to be happy with yourself, but you shouldn't settle! Work and strive for what you want and who you want to be. It's so much better to be able to say I worked for this and no one can take that away. Hard work makes you healthy and happy. These i'm beautiful the way I am campaigns are kinda right...YES, you are beautiful the way you are!! Everyone is beautiful in some way shape or form but are you healthy, are you happy, and are you in control?! You only get one shot at life, make the best of it! Get in shape, take care of yourself, and know what you're putting into your body and what it's going to do. Dont you want to be able to look in the mirror and see what you've accomplished?!? Once you do, you will realize it's the best reward and feeling in the world!