I joined a gym for the first time in November 2009 (at 37yo). I wasn't extremely obese, but I was very large. I can't pinpoint what allowed me to make the metal switch, but I'm glad it happened.

I went from someone who ate way too much of the wrong foods and got little to no exercise, to someone going to the gym 3-4 times a week and sticking to a much healthier diet.

I love food. I still eat those high-fat foods that I grew up with, just not nearly as often, and especially as much. Who doesn't like Mom's backed macaroni and cheese?!

My motivation is party also to do with health. In 2007 I was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. With the weight loss and exercise, I've been able to stop all meds and control it with diet alone. The day the doctor told me to stop my meds was one of the best days in my life.

Back to the plateau... The gym I go to is having "bootcamp." It's a great total body workout that we do outside at a local park. Just body weight exercises, but after the 45 minute class I am exhausted. There's always a way to modify an exercise to make it more challenging...or less if your arms just cannot get you through another spiderman pushup.

I'm working on myself...being a little selfish, where I have to. Going out with friends is hard, but rewarding. I know when I've made good choices, but it's difficult to watch them order the things I used to. Not just because I might want that meal, but mainly because I want them to make the same shift I did. But I realized no one can make it for you. It's a decision that you have to make for yourself. I'm just glad to be a positive influence for now.