Michelle (Me) and Gina (My Trainer) at the 360 Wellness & Fitness Gym

For years I avoided looking in mirrors whenever possible. I know that many overweight people share this same secret and shame. It's easy enough to say... "If you don't like how you look, then do something about it." But I know from experience... it's easier said then done.

There is a lot of emotional baggage and pain that comes along with being overweight. Most people who know me would be shocked to hear that I've always had low self-esteem... I hide it very well. Often times I exaggerate my greatness to make-up for my short-comings. I am outgoing (and some would say funny), which makes it easier to mask what I really think about myself. I mastered at a very young age how to give off the illusion of happiness. I'm successful in my career, I have a fabulous family and lots of friends that rally around me. Most people would think I've always had the world at my fingertips. But when you aren't happy with how you look... you can still feel like a loser... no matter what else you accomplish.

When I first started working out I didn't even want to look in the mirror during my weight training sessions. I'd often ask Devin to stand in front of me to block the view. Now that I'm more happy with my physical appearance... I'm a total mirror hog at the gym and I use the mirror for what it was intended for... to make sure my form is good during weight training (and to check my teeth for broccoli pieces)!

If you had told me 2 years ago that I would work-out next to a woman that looked like Gina with absolutely no resentment towards how good she looks or feeling self-concious about how much larger I am to her then I wouldn't have believed you. My confidence and acceptance of who I am (flaws and all) has increased dramatically by exercising.

This weight loss journey has not only physically changed me... but it's also helped me to do a lot of soul searching and become happy with the person that I am and will be and putting a band-aid on the past and slowly forget about the years of suffering and being unhappy with my looks. The more physically fit I become... the more determined I get to never "let myself go" again.