[kingnothing]

Thinking down the road is what got me off my ass and in the gym. I realized that I'd been 40 pounds overweight for the past seven years and that there is no magical weight loss fairy who would wave her wand at me and make me wake up one day without that fat.

Right now I'm still getting "newbie gains", but I can't even begin to describe how great it feels to know that every day I'm stronger and healthier than I've ever been in my life. I'm also happier and handle stress better than ever. Really, exercise is that miracle drug everyone seems to be searching for.

[optimal]

That's so awesome.

"Fit for life" is a good mantra, because fitness--a balance of stamina and strength--improves every aspect of life.