A couple of years back, SkinnyBitch.net was looking for weight loss success stories from people who had read the book, Skinny Bitch, so I sent mine in.

Shortly thereafter, I received an email saying that I was chosen to be featured on the site! To say I was excited was an understatement. They were going to put together a video about little ole me and put it on the site. I had a phone interview (for the voice over) and then sent in some before and after pictures to be featured. I waited for about a month before contacting the woman again and last I heard, they were "in the midst of the production on my video and it should be done in a month or so". That was a couple of years ago and I still haven't seen that video. I also noticed that they hadn't added any new videos to the page, since, so maybe they decided to not do them anymore for whatever reason.

I found the email that I sent, recently, so for those of you that don't know my story, I figured that it'd be a worthwhile share:

Most people don't know the day their life changed, but I do: May 17, 2008.

Farm Sanctuary was having their annual gala and, compelled to check out the celebrity arrivals after hearing that one of my favorite actresses would be there, me and a group of friends decided to go check out the red carpet arrivals.

The events of that day changed my life forever.

A little history: I had been overweight almost my entire teenage/adult life. My weight never prevented me from enjoying my high school years--I had great friends, participated in the high school band, plays and other activities, but it did stop me from trying unfamiliar things and stepping out of my comfort zone. This continued even after I graduated. Throughout my twenties I had a good group of friends, but I still missed out on a lot because of my weight. It held me back from going after so many things I'd wanted to do and from achieving my full potential. Throughout my life, I tried many different diets, but none ever worked in the long term. This history, combined with the fact that most of my family is overweight, led me to believe nothing could be done--this was part of my biology, simple as that.

By January 2008 I'd hit a rough patch. I had just turned 30 and, standing at 5'7" and weighing at least 215 pounds, I was not in a good place mentally, emotionally, spiritually or physically. I knew I needed to do something to fix things, but what?

The answer came in May of that year, waiting outside that Gala.

Shortly after arriving, we met a photographer and his friend, Kyle. As we passed the time chatting, Kyle asked me if I was vegetarian (which I wasn't at the time) and then suggested that I read a book called "Skinny Bitch". I remember laughing at the name and thinking, "What kind of name is that for a book?" But the title stuck with me and I mentally filed it away to look into later.

The next day my friend and I went to pick up a copy of the book and it took me less than a day to devour the contents. Captivated by the material, I spent the next two weeks researching everything I could on veganism, weight loss, nutrition and animal advocacy and on May 29, 2008, I officially banished all animals products from my life and my body.

One year later, I was a totally different person. I was down 70+ pounds, felt happier and healthier than I'd ever been before and for the first time, I was fully at peace with who I was. My weight was no longer holding me back from being who I wanted to be and a whole new world was opening up to me: I was getting out there and trying new things, having new experiences and was more conscious of things going on around me and of what I put into my body.

Now, almost four years later, I'm proud to say that I have successfully maintained the weight loss and try to give back by, as much as I can, by volunteering and helping others to improve their own lives. Everyday is still a learning experience for me and I try to educate friends and family about nutrition, weight loss and conscious eating as well as try my best to open people's eyes to what goes on on Factory Farms, in an effort to help improve the lives of people and animals alike.

I often wonder where I'd be now if the day of the gala had gone differently. What if I hadn't gone to the gala in the first place? Would I still have discovered Skinny Bitch on my own? All I know is that my life would be vastly different than it is today and I will forever be grateful for the second chance, that I've been given, at an amazing life because of Skinny Bitch! <3

Thought this was written a few years ago, the sentiment is the same. I have gained about 10lbs, which I've been battling to take off again, but overall, I still feel as great as I did when I initially lost the weight and am still extremely grateful for everything that has come my way.

Over the years, I haven't been the best at letting people know how I really feel. Somewhere along the way, I started to equate emotion with weakness and had learned to control my emotions so well that nothing could affect me.

What I’ve learned is that you can’t live like that.

Just because you suppress an emotion, doesn’t mean that it doesn't exist and the longer you push it down, the more it’s going to try to manifest itself in other ways, which just does more harm than good. Sure, letting people in is scary; letting them see the ’real’ you opens you up to rejection and heartache but it also opens you up to acceptance and love. Wouldn’t you rather have someone in your life who loves you for who you are and not someone you pretend to be? Opening yourself up to isn’t a sign a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength. You’re strong enough to take a chance on the unknown. The outcome may not always be what you had hoped for but living your life and taking chances on people (and experiences), is so much better than wondering “what if”?

I missed out on so much in my 20’s because I was afraid to take chances. I over-analyzed everything I did and always worried what people thought of me but since I've turned 30, I’ve learned to stop worrying so much and to just enjoy life and be grateful and take advantage of every opportunity that I’m presented. I try not to take anyone (or anything) for granted anymore and when I have the chance, let them know how much I appreciate them.

When I started on my weight loss/life transformation journey, there were four people that had a huge impact on helping me to change my life. Two of them I had just met (and didn't know if I'd ever see them again) and the other two I had no idea if I'd ever get to meet but I vowed to myself that if I ever had the chance, I would tell them exactly just how much they had effected my life and how thankful I was for who they are and what they do. Saying “thank you” is such a small gesture, but sometimes it’s the little things that impact someone’s life the most.

I’ve been lucky. I was able to thank all four of those people for being such an inspiration for me and for just being them. A lot of time, people don’t realize the impact they’ve made on someone else’s life, so being able to thank them in person, and seeing their face light up is such an incredible, indescribable feeling. Saying ‘thank you’ has allowed me to give back, a little bit, to someone who has done so much to help me by just being them. And what better feeling is there then knowing that someone appreciates you for just being you?

If there’s something that you want to tell someone or something you want to do, just do it. Don’t wait until the ‘perfect’ moment (there is no such thing). Don’t wait until you think you know how the other person will react (because you never really do). Don’t worry so much about saying the right thing (the words will come to you) or not do something because you're worried you won't be good at it. (everyone has to start somewhere.). Put yourself out there and take a chance - on life and on yourself.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~ Mark Twain

What’s more important? Living your life and taking chances or standing still and letting life pass you by? The choice is yours. Carpe diem.