Hello fitness comrades!

[FRSHPRNCFBLR]

Hello, NF! I'm not THE FRSHPRNC, but I am FRSH, and I go by Frsh or Emily. I've recently discovered NF.com and only recently have I joined the forums. So, I'll start with my backstory.

I have always been out-of shape. When I hit puberty, I went from a skinny little girl to a robust (still little at 5'4) young woman with extra weight. All those hours spent playing World of Warcraft, eating pizza, and drinking nothing but soda didn't help matters either. I was insecure in my body (I bloomed early-DDs in my freshman year) so I hid under dark clothes and the extra weight I had. Being chubby was a security blanket to keep boys away. It was easy to be invisible wearing black, baggy clothes and carrying extra pounds. It wasn't until my sophmore year I started coming out of my shell when I lifted my first set of weights in gym class. There were a group of guys all around the squat rack daring each other, and I walked up, took a look, got under, and squatted an impossible amount. Was it smart? No, not really. But did I cause some gasps and back patting? Yes it did! I started weight training with the gym teacher during study hall. I didn't focus on cleaning up my diet, so I became strong-fat-a layer of fat covered up my developed muscles. I loved lifting, I loved feeling strong. I loved being surrounded by people who wanted to make gains, lift heavier, and work hard. But, I graduated that year, one year ahead of schedule, and went straight into college.

I went into an evening practical nursing program and worked during the day, which meant taco bell at night and mcdonald's after work. I slowly but surely put more weight on, and I've tried mutliple times to get it off, failing each time.

I graduated from practical nursing school in December of 11, and in January, I was at my heaviest-195. For a while, I just said "I'm big boned. Everyone else in my family is big, so I guess I am too. I love my curves." But I was lying to myself. I hated the way I looked-clothed and naked. I had curves, yes, but some in the wrong place! I wanted to be strong, I wanted to be fit and muscular and look great in a bikini. I've always worn one-pieces to the beach with coverups and hats. I was ashamed to have fun and swim as I got older because of my legs and arms, my mid-section and my cellulite. I wanted to change. So, I formulated a game plan, and changed it about fifty times. High-carb, low-carb, HIIT, low impact cardio, fasting, cheat days (which turned to cheat weeks during my semester break for my current degree program). The scale still didn't budge! I was doing it all wrong. I wasn't making a sustainable life change, I was just looking to drop weight quickly and I didn't care how. I found myfitnesspal, mark's daily apple, and NF. I'm armed with the tools and knowledge to improve myself, my body, and my life. I'm ready to level up! I also have figured out my class and race- dwarf monk. Odd combination, but I love martial arts. I've never taken an actual class, but I've done various kickboxing dvds, aspiring to be strong and fast like a capoeira master or a judo practioner. I'm a dwarf, well, because I'm a dwarf! Short, stocky, robust, wide shoulders and hips, with strong legs! So, hello fellow nerds, let's level up!

[SquinkyPheebs]

I'm immediately attracted to people who do nursing school and fitness at the same time. Great job and glad to have you! I have one more year in nursing school left. I'm in a BSN, RN program. This summer I'm starting to contemplate the job search or even just what field of nursing to go into. Any suggestions?