If you have read any of my work before, you know how I feel about writing; what I think it can do.

If you haven't, let me clue you in. I write and love to do so because I feel as though writing holds so much power, emotion, and truth. It makes connections, inspires, prompts action, and enacts change. In doing this, writing simply tells a story and that's what I'm here to do. To tell the story of a long journey, a story of trial and error, growth, and achievement.

Where Things Started To Go South

Hanna's story starts when things started to head south. The problem began around her junior year of high school. Han had a very extensive schedule. She was working, attending school (both on campus and online), and was also a cheerleader (schedule was way more hectic than you would think). Because of this, Hanna found herself stopping to get things to eat that were "quick and easy", as most high school kids do when in extracurricular activities.

The Decision To Make Change

While Han began to see herself differently and asked myself as well as many of her close friends if we thought she looked different, we wrongfully continued to reassure her she was fine, in attempt to not hurt her feelings. To this day I am sorry I did this. Dear readers, please know you are not helping the people you love by doing this. Instead, I wish I would've suggested we start running together, or maybe join a gym, rather than avoid the topic and any chance of hurting her feelings. When you do this, you are enabling the problem.

However, Hanna began to find herself going up in jean sizes, not being able to wear clothes she used to and even overheard a group of girls stating that they can tell me and her (my identical twin sister) apart by our weight. Hanna then decided she needed to make a change, not for the people who had said hateful things, but for herself, to feel better in her own skin.

The Journey To Change

The first part of Hanna's journey to a healthier and better lifestyle was changing her diet. She cut out fast foods completely and really researched what truly was healthy food. She found the most accuracy and benefits for her in AdvoCare. With programs such as cleanses to detoxify the body, and meal planning guidelines. This was hard at first, as the world is full of temptations, and not everyone around Han was eating healthy. She was eventually able to persuade me in making changes in my diet even though I was not trying to lose weight, and I still found myself feeling better from the change. One of our favorite healthy meals is fish tacos made with tilapia, broccoli slaw, fresh Pico, and whole-wheat tortilla wraps. Han also has small snacks throughout the day such as cottage cheese, blueberries, and tuna kits.

The next step of Han's journey was to get into the gym. While her knowledge of various workouts/ exercises and their benefits are immense now, she admits that it wasn't this way when she started. Hanna felt very intimidated going into the gym and wasn't sure what kind of workouts she should be doing. She then turned to social media pages and found inspiration in fitness account holders such as Sarah Bowmar. Bowmar includes videos as well as descriptions of the workout she is doing and even provides notes on recommended weight and form. Hanna and I are obsessed with her "7x7" shoulder workout and aim to do it a few times a week.

Where She Is Now

Hanna is currently thirty pounds down from when she first began her fitness journey and is at a very healthy weight. She is now focused on building muscle, rather than removing fat. Hanna works out about four times a week but tries to be active for at least thirty minutes every day. Hanna uses tools such as her Fitbit Charge to keep track of her physical activity and an app called WaterLogged to ensure she is meeting her daily water intake goal (this is an extremely important part of fitness). Hanna continues to maintain a healthy diet but indulges as she pleases. She is happy to say she has learned a great deal about balance and its value to overall health.

Hanna would like to offer additional thanks to those who she feels have not only inspired her on her fitness journey but taught her a great deal about her new lifestyle that she can now pass on to others; Heidi Sommers aka "Buff Bunny" and Emily Anne of the University of Florida.