Long story short, fitness has saved me mentally. I have been at this journey for 2-3 very difficult and abused years and I can’t say that I’m fully happy with myself or my body yet, but I’m a whole lot closer than I ever was. In just the past year, I’ve built myself up to be a runner. I’m still not speedy, nor am I superior at it, but I went from being dead after 5km to having that as warm up! I now surpass most boys in fitness tests and by placing 14th in the entire race(35 out of 140) I’ve qualified for xc city finals—I’VE NEVER BEEN TO THE CITY FINALS!! . Sodon’tgiveupyourgoals because even during my darkest days I never would have dreamed to make it this far because you see, i have a family that abuses me verbally and sometimes, physically too. i work for my all by myself with the extra mile because my family is constantly looks for ways to push me down. and many times, i have fallen and felt like a fat failure that should die in the corner, but each time j got back up with more determination because the truth is, it MATTERED to me. it mattered to me a whole lot, and i used the extra fuel to prove them all wrong. I have to pay my time, and use my own money from food to transportation to fitness equipments. Ive gotten so far and im out of money, but i know i will make it work another way. I just want you to know that, You are worth so much more than you think! And whatever you want to achieve, MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR YOU! DO NOT CONSIDER GIVING UP BECAUSE ITS NO LONGER AN OPTION! Stay strong, stay fierce. Please fight with me!

Thanks for sharing your story, Dee!