This challenge has done wonders for me. 

From a young age, I've always been on the heavier side, no matter how how much I worked out. I considered myself a tomboy and my friends would consider me athletic but it didn't show much (I played volleyball in high school). I didn't understand, other people my age ate what they wanted, didn't exercise much and looked fine in my opinion. (Before I knew the difference between fit and skinny)

When I started college in the summer of 2009 (June), a week after I turned 18 I was really looking forward to starting over, college was my chance. We have access to an amazing gym here at my school and I planned on using it to my advantage. But, I still didn't know much about nutrition. I worked out a lot, but I also ate a lot. As a college freshman I fell victim of freshmen weight gain. I got a lot of my meals from free events, because I'm a college kid and most of us don't have any money to spare.

By March of 2010, after my first spring break, I got sick and went to the school's clinic. I tipped the scale at 193 lbs, this was my wake up call. 193 lbs that's almost 200 lbs. I'd started college at between 165-170.

The summer after, I dedicated myself to losing all the weight I gained. But, that wasn't enough for me, I wanted to be strong, I wanted to look fit, like the athlete I knew I was.

After about a year and half later and 40+ pounds lighter I discovered this challenge, and a challenge it has been. I began the Jamie Eason LiveFit trainer a week before I started the transformation challenge and am very proud of how far I've come. 

I am a healthier me now, and I know lots about nutrition. And through this journey I've had to overcome not being able to afford the best quality food, but still eat as healthy as possible. I've overcome living with others who aren't too stringent with their diets. I can now give others advice based on my experience. I can look at myself and know I am an athlete.

 I'm not done just yet, but I would've never gotten this far without this competition. There are no excuses for not living healthy, before I had excuses even in the first few weeks of the challenge I made excuses. But, excuses never get you anywhere.

Thank you for this opportunity!!

 Sincerely, Shonte R. B.