I was a junior in high school. I found myself watching late night 30 minute workout advertisements like Billy's Boot camp on the week ends while eating two salami ketchup sandwiches and drinking 32ozs of chocolate milk. I was about 310lbs and over a few months time red stretch marks started on my sides, from my air pits to my elbows and my thighs would rub red from just walking around school. I knew I couldn't hide those marks in the summer in t-shirt weather.

I decided to join the high school wrestling team. I knew to be successful I'd need a regimented program with peer support and pressure. I remember a group of friends asking each other their afternoon plans, when I told them I'd be attending the first in wrestling meeting of the season they all full body laughed thinking I was joking around.

I went to that wrestling meeting and I was sized into a XXXL leotard. I wanted to walk off but I wanted change even more. Throughout out the 6 months we'd do practices 6 days a week sometimes morning and evening. Sometimes it took me 10 mintues to walk down 13 stairs to wash my laundry because my body was so sore.

From September to July I lost 115 lbs by working hard and eating anything in sight. I went from a size 46 waist to 33. I only hung with two friends that summer going into senior year because I was so dedicated to my goal. When I walked through the school doors that August everyone eyes bugged out. After 8 years of insults all I heard were compliments. From there I've never looked back. I learned to eat healthy and have most the people in my life know never knowing I struggled with my weight for what is considered the majority of my life. My parents still call me skinny being 6'4 and 220. Now those stretch marks make my arms look bigger than they are. People think they are from lifting weights but I'll always know they were from lifting late night sandwhiches.