I am usually very open with my life and the things that I do. Whether I tell things to a close friend or to a complete stranger, I am never ashamed to tell the things I have been through throughout my life. Perhaps one of the proudest moments of my life was getting to have the physique that I currently have. Most people assume that I have always been naturally fit, but in reality, I used to be obese. I remember waking day after day, washing my face and looking at myself in the mirror, disgusted. I knew I had to change that routine. Getting in shape was something that I had wanted for as long as I could remember. I knew that I was going to achieve this goal, it was just always a matter of when.
No matter how hard I tried, I had never been able to actually get the motivation I needed to embark on my journey to a healthier life. The willpower it took for me to start on this journey was sparked by the unfortunate breakup that I went through with the girlfriend that I had at the time. It is a little sad to say, but that breakup was all it took for me to start working on my number one goal. Perhaps it was the desire to show my ex-girlfriend my true potential, or perhaps it was just a way to get her jealous, who knows? Nonetheless, I can proudly say that I accredit my transformation to her.

It was the Sunday morning after the break up that my life changed for the better. I picked up my car keys, took eighty dollars out of my bank account, and went straight to the gym like a man on a mission. I was out of my comfort zone, I knew that, but I had get over it to get to where I am now. I paid my membership and went straight to the weights. The hardest part was the beginning. For a month straight, I did not miss a single day, and it felt like hell. I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was give up, but I knew I could not do that. If I gave up then, all the hard work I had put in would have been for nothing. My muscles were being used like never before, and I even started to eat healthier. After I passed the first two months, I would crave the gym. I felt addicted to the gym because every day I would see more and more improvement. I would sometimes even pass up the opportunity to hang out with my friends in order to go to the gym on time and work out. There was nothing else on my mind except a brighter physical future.
After about six months of non-stop dedication, I looked at a “before and after” picture of myself. I was so proud of what I had achieved that I even shed a tear. The disgusting double chin I once had completely disappeared. Even the chubby chipmunk looking cheeks I once had were gone. The belly that once dangled above my belt buckle had transformed into perfectly shaped six pack abs. After those six months, my life had completely changed. I was more confident than ever before and I knew that I had changed for the better. Even my ex-girlfriend, who inspired me to start his life change, told me that I looked better than ever before. That motivated me even more to never stop staying in shape. I did not just look great, but I felt better than ever before.
I sometimes look back at old pictures of me to never forget the person who I was before. To never let the pride of who I am now consume me, to remind me of all the hard work that I put into achieving this goal and to motivate me to always work harder to be even better than what I am now. Anything is possible, you just have to find the right motivation to kick start your journey to glory.