*No fine print required!
We've all seen the weight loss advertising with the fine print under the before and after photos:

*Results not typical.

Really? If it's not typical why would you want to bother?

Personally, I've tried almost every weight loss clinic out there... and I've always failed to see significant results or manage to stick to the program longer than a couple months. Props go out to the people who do succeed at weight loss clinics and find them useful... if it works for you GREAT... it just doesn't work for me.

Everyone can achieve their ideal weight and health... there is no question you can take a different approach then I have and experience success... you need to do what works for you. I have never really liked anyone telling me what to do (*surprise surprise*)... so when I decided to become healthy... I really wanted to figure out what I was doing wrong on my own. I did a lot of soul searching over the last 2 years... I analysed and dissected my past failures to a point of obsession... and I made a commitment to myself to figure out what works for me and stick to it. Was it hard? Hell yeah! But was it worth it? Totally!

People keep asking me what I did to lose the 100 pounds. Yes... I eat healthier now, and exercise (a lot)... and I get professionals (Devin and Gina) to direct me towards how to achieve the body that I want (because lets be honest... I have no idea what I'm doing in the gym)... but the biggest change is my attitude about food and exercise. There is no doubt... I've always been a positive person, so it's not a personality transformation... it's more about my relationship with food and exercise. I used to think food was the treat not exercise. Now I treat myself with workouts... because I know the adrenaline from pushing my physical limits far exceeds anything food can console or provide. Of course I still love tasty food... but I love exercising MORE! I have "treat day" on Saturday where I eat whatever I want... but really my big treat is the other 5 days a week when I'm exercising.

When I started this journey... my weight was getting so out of control... to the point where even day-today life was a challenge (both mentally and physically). In my lifetime... I want to experience everything that I possibly want and dream of doing. I don't want to be restricted because of my health or well being... and I want to live a long time because well to be honest... I believe when you are dead... your dead. I'll have all the time in the world to lay around then. But who knows... maybe I'll be wrong and after I die... I'll spend eterinity surrounded by hot black men rapping lyrics to me and feeding me grapes... that would be sweet... but realistically... this is my shot at doing everything I want... so being healthy and happy while I'm still breathing is essential!

I always laugh when I think of my old attitude about exercise and the excuses that I used to avoid it. Running is the perfect example. Many of you have read about how I never attempted running before because I didn't want to have a heart attack while running. I realize (now that I'm a runner)... if I died while running... there could be a lot worse ways to go (it's kind of like people who die having sex... if your time is up... enjoying life at that moment in time would be great)! Realistically... if I didn't run... I'd probably prematurely die anyway because of obesity. Lets be honest... there are a lot more risky behaviors and activities that could effect my mortality then jogging.

You will not find any disclaimer or fine print under my photos... because I know... if you want something in life... you can have it... you just need to want it bad enough!