My Struggle, My journey, My accomplishment

If you were curious about what I looked like in middle school here ya go! (I’m on the right)

The first time I was ever called fat was in the 4th grade (10 years old). Something about that word… fat. This 3 letter word is just as painful as a million bees stinging you at the same time. Throughout grade school and middle school I was the girl who was constantly getting teased about her weight and all of her other flaws. I went to St. Sebastian in Akron, Ohio where we wore plaid skirts everyday, had church on Thursdays, and got detentions for chewing gum in class. I’m sure you would assume that the students at this school would have better morals but I guess not!

This is me during my freshman year of high school! (I’m the brace-face on the left)

Entering high school, I began to grow into my body and started to feel a little better about my shape. I still continued to get remarks about my weight here and there but not as many as I did before. Just like any other teenage girl I was insecure… very insecure. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that a family friend told me something that hit me like a ton of bricks. He said, “You’re beautiful, just lose a little bit of weight next time”. This statement really opened my eyes and things began to change after that day.

The date was November 12th, 2014 (Yes, I remember the exact date) and I was basically half way through my senior year of high school. I remember sitting in my car telling myself, “From this day on things need to change because I’m done with all of these comments about my weight”. I kept my word and from that day on my lifestyle really did begin to change.

My journey began at a little YMCA in Barberton, Ohio. I went their every single day after the school bell rang; I pushed myself so hard. There were plenty of times I wanted to stop as I dripped sweat from the elliptical or the stair-master but as my motivation I kept reminding myself of every little thing anyone has ever said to me and all I wanted to do was prove them wrong. It began to feel so good to workout and soon became a habit.

August, 2014 (Left) August, 2015 (right)

It wasn’t until April of 2015 that I began to hear comments like, “Sara have you lost weight?” or “Sara you look great!”. My confidence in myself began to build up and it felt so amazing. By the end of summer 2015 I had shredded almost 40 lbs. off my body. I started to realize how hard work really does pay off in the long run!

Now, as I end my freshman year of college I am very thankful that I have not gained the “freshman 15”. I haven’t lost any weight either but I still continue to go to the gym regularly (4/5 days a week). I also try to eat right which can be very difficult at times. Over the summer my goal is to lose about 10 more pounds. Yes, I still get insecure at times but let’s be honest, what 18-year-old girl doesn’t? Overall, I am very pleased with the decision I made because it really improved my confidence and has also helped me realize how much I truly love working out.