For the first 18 years of my life, at least as long as I can remember, I was the "fat" friend. My friends and my family may not agree with that statement, but that's what I was and I was unhappy.

I never showed how unhappy I truly was and that was probably my own fault. I drowned my sadness of how I looked in, you guessed it, even more food. For me, I was more prone to the ice cream, but I don't need to get into all the gory details. I don't know when it finally clicked for me really, but during the second half of my senior year of high school, I changed myself.

It all started with the boyfriend I had at the time and his suggestion for me to get a gym membership. Thinking back, that sounds kind of like an insult, but I had already been thinking about it, so it was actually just the push I really needed.

I was constantly asked how I did it and if I could help someone do what I did, but the real thing that I did was find myself. I found out who I wanted to be. Although some don't think losing the weight is what I needed to do to find myself, it was what I needed. It was important for me to do something for myself and that is the most important part.

If you want something, especially to look different, you have to want to do it for yourself rather than somebody else or you will never succeed. I've learned that the hard way, but it's finally something that I have completely accepted for myself. It is most important to realize that what you think of yourself is what drives your mind and your happiness rather than what others think of you.