Losing weight and Fitness and Nutrition training

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When I was growing up I was always a stick. Then I hit puberty and started filling out a little bit. The next thing you know I went to college, had access to the cafeteria which was a buffet and ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner there. I didn't exercise like I did in High School and I gained my freshman 15+. After that is was a constant battle. I wanted to lose weight but it was not happening for me. I just continued to pack on the pounds and grew inches around my waist. I didn't know what to do about it. After 3 years of college I looked at the degree I was going into and decided I really didn't like it all that much. I wanted to change my major, but was still unsure of what I wanted to go into. I soon came to a decision to serve a mission for my church for a year and a half. A very personal decision. Though I was a little scared and nervous I felt it was the right thing to do. So I left and this decision proved to change my life forever. There were some great lessons learned there one of which was setting goals for myself to achieve. I set all sorts of goals for myself and among those goals I would set fitness goals. My main source of transportation was a bicycle. Though I did have a car for a good amount of time, I began to love riding my bike so much that I opted to ride it as often as I could. So with this new found love for bike riding and setting goals I began to lose weight. Through the course of my year and a half I lost 40 lbs, which amounted to several dress sizes. I went from a size 16 to a size 6. The realization hit me one day as a friend of mine who was a size 6 asked me to try on one of her skirts. I did not want to because I did not want to be disappointed that I wouldn't be able to fit into it. Eventually she won me over and I pulled it on. I was amazed to find that I was able to fit into this skirt. The excitement that rushed over me was fulfilling. I had exceeded my goals. Being on a mission was such a life changing experience and a huge environment change. I was afraid when I got back that I would fall right back into my old habits and pick up those bags of chips again and just chow down, or go back to drinking my favorite Root Beer soda. But because of the length of time, I had formed new habits and I was able to say no. In fact those cravings that I had previously were no longer as strong. I had gained self mastery. I have always envied the people who went out hiking and enjoying their lives in nature. I had difficulty with that because I was not physically fit. So I was very self conscious that I would be holding people back who would prefer to move quicker along the hike. Since I have returned from my mission it has been 3 years and I am happy to report that I have maintained my weight and have utilized my goal setting more fully in my life. I have been to several National Parks and gone hiking in them. Many of which hikes were challenging but the end result so fulfilling. I was able to hike in the Grand Canyon and go on a 16 mile strenuous trek in one day. Of course we had plenty of water with us and good food for energy. Though the hike was physically draining, it was everlastingly rewarding. I have also finally chosen the path I want to take in studying at college which is in Health and Fitness. I am learning about proper Fitness technique and proper Nutrition. I am able to apply the things I learn into my life and also look forward to someday helping someone experience the same joy that I have felt on my journey through losing weight. I am curious to know of others experiences with losing weight and or the battle they may be going through. Also I am curious to know what helps to motivate you to go workout in a gym or to learn more about Nutrition? How does living a healthy lifestyle improve your quality of living and enjoyment in life?