I've now lost over a hundred pounds... I definitely have a complete new lease on life. I am definitely happier then I've been for a long time. Not only do I not recognize my own body when I look in the mirror but I don't even recognize the person inside of me either. I always knew I was strong... but I definitely under-estimated the strength of my willpower and my physical capabilities. What I have achieved has been hard work... but it totally can be accomplished by anyone.

The most important thing that I've learned about weight loss is that you have to do it for yourself. It's without question as a parent, I want to live longer for my boys. As a wife, I want to live to share a lifetime of experiences with my husband. As a friend, I want to live and build healthy and long relationships filled with fun memories. BUT FOR ME... I needed to lose weight to feel comfortable in my own skin. For too many years I didn't want to see pictures of myself or look in the mirror... not because I didn't like the person I was inside... but because I didn't like the shell of a body that I lived in. That isn't a healthy way to live. Even though I've always managed to laugh everyday of my life... it was painful to live in a body that I didn't feel comfortable in... but now I know that I'm really experiencing life to the fullest because my physical size is just an extension of the little firecracker person that lives inside... because before I felt detached between the two and trapped.

I'll be the first to admit, I totally show off my curves now instead of hiding behind baggy clothes. But why shouldn't I? I have literally worked my butt off for 2 years to finally be comfortable with my own body... this is something I have wanted my entire life but never achieved until now and it feels great to have confidence and to believe you are attractive (and there are no complaints from Gord either)! I still have a little bit more weight to lose... but I finally can say... for the first time in my life that I feel good about my appearance. Seeing as I'm 35 years old... that's sad... but it's the truth.

Being overweight most of my life, I have never felt beautiful. People have told me throughout my life that I was "cute" but usually it was because of my "bubbly personality" or "freckles". To actually feel beautiful is a huge deal for me and I never knew what this felt like until now.

Gord has been patiently taking my status photos during this entire process. Until recently, it wasn't uncommon for me to ask Gord to take 20 or more photos and then I'd struggle to pick one worthy photo to show people my progress. This Saturday was different... Gord took about 5 photos and I look a quick peak and said... wow all of those photos would be great to use. No double chin, a small waist, flat abs and a smile that really reflects how happy I am with myself (both inside and out).

For people who have never struggled with obesity, you probably won't understand how much I appreciate being a normal size and how that makes me feel beautiful... but for those of you who don't like how you feel or what you look like in the mirror... you need to believe that you can change the way you look... it actually isn't that difficult if you put your mind to it and just make it the priority in your life.

There have been times, especially over the last 10 months where I've felt selfish because I've missed evenings with my family due to my rigerous workout schedule or had to tell a client I'd have to call them back because I was running out the door for a workout... but when the guilt would start to creep in... I continually reminded myself... that I needed to stop putting other people first and focus on what I needed... which was to feel good about myself and become healthy.

A number of you have told me that I've always been beautiful because of who I am as person... but honestly... until recently I didn't see it... but now I do. The beauty I feel isn't runway model beautiful (perfect eyes, perfect nose, perfect cheeks, perfect lips - WHATEVER)... it's just me being happy and feeling like the person inside of me is now shining through my eyes, my smile and I am more confident that the individual other people see when they look at me is the fun little energy ball that has been pent up in that fat body for the last 35 years. Feeling beautiful isn't about vanity... it's a confidence about the entire package and feeling that connection between the person inside of you and the physical shell that people see.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... but the most important person to feel beautiful for... is yourself.