SparkPeople/TurboKic
k.com Fitness Story Contest

In March of 2008, I was laid off from my job that I had for about nine years. Yes, like everyone else out there that got laid off, I was extremely depressed at first and did nothing but sit around and feel depressed.

About three months went by, and like a brick thrown at me, or a really hard slap in the face, I thought to myself: "What am I doing?" I am not going to sit here feeling sorry for myself. If I don't do something now for myself, no one else will either.

I then, picked myself up and began going to the gym everyday, spending a good eight hours at the gym everyday, and then I would go looking for work.

I told myself that if I am to compete with everyone else out there looking for work, I need to look my best, and with that, I started losing weight.

It is now seven months later and I still do not have a job. I have lost over 40 pounds. Became a certified fitness trainer and yes, I have even plateaued. I did not give up though and now I am officially losing weight again.

I take small steps to reach the goal weight that I want for myself. On SparkPeople, my goal weight is 140 pounds. When I reach that goal, I will change it again.

I started at the weight of 190 and now I am at 150. I am taking this journey one day at a time and I want for everyone else out there who reads this to do the same thing.

Just remember: You only have one life to live, so do it right and do it now, but take it easy!