From 2008-2013 I managed to gain 40lbs... fell in love, went out to eat way too much, and ate too much in general, all the while getting hardly any exercise. I only wish now that I would've stopped the downward spiral much earlier. At 5'3", looking in the mirror at my 170+ lb self was extremely depressing... I've never really struggled with my weight, but at the same time I was never really "fit" either, even when I was "skinny". I knew I had to do something. At first I got a personal trainer for a month to get me going. After that I tried exercising at home, but it wasn't working so I got a gym membership. At first I would only go 2-3 times a week, but now I try to go 5 times a week doing both cardio and weight training.

Recently I've gotten back into martial arts, and my kickboxing instructor at the gym is also helping me get back into karate. I started taking Jiu-Jitsu back in May '14. It's different, and as a martial artist used to striking and kicking, I didn't think I'd ever be into it, but it's fun and I love learning. It's also a way for me to get in some exercise on the weekends.