For most of my life, the thought of exerting energy to do anything was something I loathed. I used to hate anything that involved running mostly because I was slow and could never get the pace. I played sports my whole life and while I loved it, I also hated it because I was not very good and I had to run. When I was in high school, I was playing soccer and I was out on the field and I turned the wrong way and something went in my left knee, it would turn out to be a life long problem, called tendonitis. I went to physical therapy where I discovered the elliptical, it was the only thing that really helped me. We ended up getting one for our house, so I could use it at home. I did for a while but after a while I stopped and the machine sat there untouched for years. In college, I finally had surgery for my knee and again I was back in physical therapy on the stationary bike and elliptical again. A few years later, I was so fed up with the way that I looked and now that I could finally do something without my knee killing me, I decided to start using the elliptical more frequently. I started slow with 15 and 20 minute workouts eventually making my way to the 45 minute workout, which kicked my butt the first time that I did it. Each time I went on the elliptical, I felt something in me change, I immediately felt better about myself and my life. It was a place where I could completely lose myself in the music and movements and feel free. As I began to exercise more and more, I began to look forward to it and now I love it. There is nothing like stepping off of the elliptical, all sweaty but with the biggest smile on my face because the workout was so satisfying. It has gotten me through so much. I have laughed, cried, gotten angry and discouraged but I always came back and kept pushing through. I owe so much to that machine because it helped me to lose 60 pounds, I am forever grateful for being able to have it in my house so I didn’t have to face the embarrassment of going to a gym. I could workout alone and not have to worry about others around me. Whenever, I am feeling down or just feel like I need to move, I jump onto the elliptical and immediately feel better. It has helped me to grow and be able to look at my life in a more positive way. Elliptical for life.