The hardest part was getting started. I had tried so many times in the past, only to fall off each time. My original motivation wasn’t just to stop being skinny or to simply gain weight, but to build muscle and actually reach a real goal. Committing to that goal was a constant struggle.

What finally pushed me forward was losing my furry friend of nearly a decade, feeling like I didn’t have much else going for me, and seeing my health decline from poor nutrition. I kept forcing myself to stay the course, and after a few years, the persistence and the results turned what used to feel like a chore into an enjoyable habit I genuinely look forward to every day.