I am assuming that everyone has heard the phrase "freshman 15." Going into my freshman year, I always swore to myself that I would never be that person that would gain 15 pounds her first year of college. I have always been the girl who could eat whatever she wanted and I would not gain a pound. Well my friends, that changed real quick. Don't get me wrong, I do not put on weight fast but college really did take a toll on my body. It wasn't that I was excessively drinking, it was more so that I just was always under stress and there was nothing healthy in the dining center. Food was just always an option for me. I was in my own world, doing whatever I wanted, and by the end of the year, I had gained that lovely "freshman 15."

The sad part about this was not the weight I put on but it was the fact that I felt unbelievably uncomfortable in my own skin. I was belting everything at the beginning of the year and by the end of the year, I could not fit in any of my shorts. That is the worst feeling in the world. I just was not feeling great in my body and it was a struggle to wake up and be happy with how I felt and looked. I was determined to get in shape and eat better over the summer and keep up with it when I would get back to school. I wanted to really learn control. If I am being honest, May and June, I was very lenient with it. I did not keep track of anything and I just tried to tell myself what I was doing would help me. Truth is, it did not. Finally, towards the end of June, I felt so unhappy about myself that I decided to really push myself and have my family around me help me along the way. I set goals and I put myself to the test.

IT WAS NOT EASY. Hello, who thought that going on a strict diet a few weeks before the Fourth of July week was a good idea? Not me! There are hard times when all I want to do is eat a Portillo's cheese fry but I push myself not to eat it. My diet consisted of mainly NO dairy and bread. That was a shock for my system. I just keep reminding myself that in a few months it will be worth it. I will have eaten healthy foods and worked out regularly that it will become routine.

Putting yourself in the position to change your body will never be an easy journey.

It may be discouraging to not see results right away but that is just more of a reason to keep going. I have been successful so far and my body is certainly thanking me on the inside. Do not be alarmed, I still let myself cheat on some meals (mostly dinner) once a week just to give my body a reward. If you do it right and in moderation, you will still meet your goal.

Since having made these changes, I have never felt better about myself even after only losing just a few pounds. It is a slow and difficult race but I am determined to keep it up and win it. Cheesy but it is what keeps me going. Now, I have a challenge for you. If you are unhappy with the way you feel and you want to do this for yourself, join in on the journey with me and challenge yourself. Become the person you want to be on the inside and out.