By the time I was nine, I was already overweight. I didn't feel like I was as good as the "thin" girls. By age 14, I had started the "dieting roller coaster."

I tried diet after diet but was never able to permanently lose weight. With every failure, my self-esteem dropped lower. I kept wishing and hoping that my life would change. I wished I could be thin and feel attractive, but it seemed that things would never change. At the age of 26, I hit bottom. I was the heaviest I had ever been. I didn't even have enough energy to walk up a flight of stairs. One day while looking in the mirror, feeling out of control and disgusted, I had an "awakening." I realized I had lived 16 years of my life overweight, unhealthy and unhappy. It hit me: if I didn't do something right now, I would spend the rest of my life this way, and it sent shivers down my spine. I decided I was not going to give up the life I wanted. There was no turning back. It was crystal clear: things don't just happen in life. Finally, I understood that if you want something you couldn't wait for it to happen; you have to go out there and make it happen! I did go out there and make it happen!

I decided that I would do whatever it took to get my life and my body in shape. I read every thing I could on weight loss, nutrition, and exercise. I started applying what I was learning and started losing weight faster and easier than ever before. Eating nutritiously and exercising were no longer difficult things. They were friends and allies to my goals. With my new mindset and personal commitment, I became a weight-loss success story. After struggling with my body for over 16 years, I finally lost 50 pounds and have kept it off for over 10 years. I was now in control of my life! It became my passion to help others. I became a personal fitness trainer to help people live healthier lives. For six years, I helped people get fit and lose weight. I soon decided I wanted to reach more people than I could working at my local gym.

I started speaking at workshops and became a health and fitness coach, mentor, and an international motivational fitness and weight loss speaker. I have created my own weight loss business. I have created a unique weight loss system based on my own personal experience. I have a manual, an audiocassette system, and I am currently writing a book based on my story.

I am following a passionate and purposeful career that I absolutely love! Life is an incredible adventure, an adventure that only YOU can create!

Steven E
http://www.wakeuplive.com