I have been there. I know how it feels to not think that your weight is an issue in your life. I know how it feels to think well one more cookie won’t hurt me. I play sports so I won’t gain weight. I know how it feels to walk up a flight of stairs and feel winded. I know how it feels to feel self conscious in literally every single piece of clothing that you own and to hide yourself in big baggy sweatshirts because you are so embarrassed by the way you look. I know what it feels like to hate yourself, to be the fat friend, to never actually believe anyone when they tell you that you are pretty and that you look good in what you are wearing that day. I have been there for my whole life. 23 years is a long time to be in denial about my weight but hey, we are all human right? It happens. When you are young, you think that you can eat anything you want and not have a second thought about it. You eat fast food, drink sugary drinks and have the occasional piece of fruit. You have it in your mind that you will be fine, that you will start eating better tomorrow and then tomorrow comes and you go right back to what you were doing yesterday. Before you know it, you wake up one day and you are 240 pounds and full of regret and a ton of self loathing. It is hard to change your eating habits, I am the first one to admit that. It is so easy to go for the easy grab and go option rather then take the second and actually make a healthier choice. But I am here to tell you, first that you can do it. You can do anything that you set your mind to. You have to want to do this, you can’t half do it, you have to be all in. Pick the diet that works best for you. If you have trouble cutting out certain foods, pick the plan that still includes that food or a healthier version of it. For me, the south beach diet worked the best. All of the information for the diet can be found online. There are three phases to this diet and along with consistent exercise, you will be able to lose weight pretty easily! You can follow it however you like, they are a ton of recipes on their site for every meal. I have tried so many things that I never thought that I would eat that I now love! I have found tons of alternatives to some of my favorite foods, while still occasionally enjoying them but in moderation. I now love to eat Brussel sprouts, I used to think they were gross but now I can’t get enough of them. It is so rewarding to see the results of eating better. I am better for it and for making the decision to start. I know how scary it is to embark on a diet. I was pretty embarrassed to even admit to anyone that I was going on one, if you are like me, tell people that you are eating better. They don’t need to know anything more then you are comfortable with telling them. I only told about three people that I was on a diet. As for exercising, start small, you can go for a walk around your neighborhood. I went on a elliptical that I have in my house because I was way too embarrassed to be seen in a gym with other people. I have always hated gyms because I would see all of the other people who were fit and working out and that made me feel so self conscious but that is my opinion, if you feel a gym membership is best for you, go for it! Don’t over do your workouts though. I learned that early on. If you are reading this and you are still scared or unsure about this, it is okay, it is perfectly normal to be scared about changing your eating habits. You can do this. You can become healthier. You are the only person standing in your way preventing yourself from living a better and fuller life. It took me 23 years to get here but I got here. It is not about how long it takes you but rather the journey that matters. Start here. Remember that you are stronger and braver then you think you are. Good Luck!