I started my personal health journey because I was not comfortable in my own skin. I wanted to change my life around. I didn't want to be the bigger girl anymore — I needed a change. I have never ever been a skinny girl — not ever — in my entire 22 years of life! I have been picked on many times for being "fat." And there becomes a time in life when that starts to get old and you finally start to take it to heart and get hurt about it.

Where does my power come from?!

My power comes from inside my soul, my freaking totally amazing friends and family pushing me! It also comes from the amazing group of babes I have behind me through it all!

I won't give up because I have come too far to give up now! If I give up now it proves I didn't want to change and I know for a fact that I wanted/needed this change! I decided to do something about it! It was time to put in work, it was time to gain my confidence back!

In the last 360 days, I have changed so much mentally and physically! I have gained so much confidence and lost so much weight.

Is any of this really easy? The answer is no, it's not easy. I have to keep reminding myself every day that it's not easy but it's going to be worth it. This journey has been the best thing I have ever done for myself.

So I guess what I am trying to tell everyone is that even though life can get crappy, all you have to do is find something to make you happy and just roll with it. You need to find something and put your mind to it and make it happen. I am going to tell you right now that it's not easy at all, but it will be worth it once you start to see the change!

Confidence doesn't come from thinking you're perfect or flawless. That's arrogance. Confidence comes from appreciating the beauty of your texture.