Hey Nerds!! My name's Samantha, I'm from Ottawa ON and have been struggling with my weight since I was 14 (now 26). Due to complications from being extremely overweight as a teenager - I had PCOS, a fatty liver (to name just a few) and just felt like complete crap physically and emotionally. At 16, they put me on Metformin to regulate my hormones and it ended up making me suuuper sick and I dropped 75lbs in 6 months only to regain it by the time I was 22. Then I went to teach ASL in South Korea and was placed in a really small town and gained 40 more pounds in a year out of complete loneliness and depression; I came back feeling a total failure. When I got back I weighed 225lbs (I'm 5'4) and am currently sitting at 142lbs, so I have made huge progress by changing my eating habits, doing kickboxing, yoga, etc. I joined a gym and got a personal trainer in March and have improved my physique by leaps and bounds even in the two months I've been working with him. I still have a lot of work to do, but I feel I've done it right this time; it's been almost three years but I've built a lot of muscle and look way better than the first time I lost weight. It hasn't been a result of being ill, I've worked my ass off (literally!) and have learned and adapted to healthier life changes that have become a part of my day-to-day routine. I have always had a big interest in learning real strength training (not those stupid machines!!) but never pursued it before now out of nerves of going to "the guys section" of the gym and not having a goddamn clue what to do, how to do it, etc., which is why I got the trainer. I LOVE IT! It has completely changed the way I look at fitness and I look forward to each workout and learning something new. I'm never going back to the 30 minute treadmill, 30 minute machine weight routine 'cus it's useless and miserable. My real challenge is nutrition and finding a diet that works for me. I just love bread. ALL the bread..and chips..and popcorn lol. Also, I'm just unsure of what to eat and when, to get the lean, firm body I'm working for (nutrition isn't part of the trainer deal, unfortunately). I'm also curious about supplements; what kinds should I use? When? Should I use them at all? It's all foreign to me so any help or advice I could get about this would be incredibly helpful. So happy to be a part of the Rebellion - keep fighting the good fight folks Looking forward to talking with you guys Sam
