I did not start worrying about my weight or how I looked physically until my sophomore year of high school. I had always been a little chubby, with a round face and squishy belly. I started going to the gym with my dad at night when he would come home from work and on Saturdays after I had work.

That summer, I set a goal for myself: go to the gym at least four times a week. The first week, I went five times and was so proud of myself. As the summer went on, I noticed changes not only in my physical appearance, but in my attitude as well. I was smiling more and was more confident in myself. I was more positive.

After that summer, I was hooked on going to the gym. It became my addiction in the off seasons I was not playing sports. In the fall, I golfed, and in the winter, I swam. But it was the off seasons I looked forward to most, because I could go into the gym and do my own thing every day.

Yoga was something I fell in love with, and I would use the videos that I would find on YouTube. It was something quick I could get done on a Sunday, and it gave me a lot of flexibility back.

Freshman year of college, me and some of my friends decided to challenge ourselves and take on Insanity by Shaun T. The program is about ten weeks, and there are six workouts a week. After the first day, I had trouble walking because of the physicality the program requires, but as I went through each day, I got stronger, and my body got used to the physical demands of Insanity.

As a sophomore in college, I feel like I am in better shape by just doing my own thing in the gym and trying out different workout videos than I was as an in-season athlete.

The gym has become my stress reliever, a way to clear my head, and my happy place. Blasting my music as I go through a cardio circuit or lifting provides me with an escape from whatever is going on in my life.

I am also a naturally energetic person, so if I go more than two days without going to the gym or doing something physically challenging, I find it difficult to sleep and just be still throughout the day.

I highly recommend anyone of any age to challenge themselves physically once a day. It could be going to the gym for a certain period of time, running, or walking a certain number of miles.

I am not exactly where I want to be. My goals are still out there, just out of my reach, but I am determined to reach them. Set small goals that you can accomplish and build from there. The only person who can set limits on you is you.