You know when something happens and it just really hits you — how far you’ve come, and how much work you’ve put in? That happened to me at the gym a few weeks back. A woman who I see at the gym a lot had been out for a while, but came back and was chatting before class. I took off my jacket and she said, “look at you showing off your arms! You look so good. I’m going to have to work harder!”

It was just one of those moments that made me realize how proud I am of myself. I don’t think about it very often, but I really am. I went from NEVER working out, ever, to working out at least four times a week. I’ve changed my diet and exercise routine and lost a solid 35 pounds without pills, or starving myself, or doing anything really drastic. That’s huge.

When someone else mentions how much progress you’ve made it forces you to actually step back and look at what you’ve done, and good grief I’m impressed with me.

As the end of the year nears and everyone starts making resolutions, I hope you realize that if you want to get healthy, you absolutely have the power to do so. It might take enlisting a friend to keep you accountable (which I have) and come with a lot of whining (CONSTANTLY WHINING about not wanting to go to the gym), but in the end, you can do it. It is so worth it.