#7 Every Girl's Special Day
Every girl dreams of that one day when the man she loves proposes to her. It was no different for Haley Smith a 24-year-old who got engaged last year to her boyfriend.
But the joy was short-lived because as soon as she saw the pictures of her engagement, she was devastated.
#6 Reality came crashing down when she least expected it
"I saw the pictures and cried my eyes out - I didn't even recognize myself," Haley said.
"I wouldn't post them because I was so ashamed of how much I had let myself go - which is sad because it was one of the best days of my life."
"I didn't want to be embarrassed of my wedding pictures, so I knew I needed a change."
And so her journey began.....
#5 The Resolve
"I was overweight my whole life. I was a chubby little kid and teen. In college is when the real weight gain began.I bought whatever looked good and had an unlimited college dining meal plan - so I went crazy."
But now was the time to undo all that weight gain.
Haley made some serious changes to her lifestyle, she changed her exercise routine, set targets and started making healthier choices with her life over the past year.
She even ditched fast food and took up running! If it wasn't healthy or organic Haley wasn't going to eat it.
#4 This is what Haley had to say
My whole adult life, I have struggled with my weight, but this was my highest. I had let myself go and didn't even realize how far I had gotten. On that day, I made up my mind to make a change. I was tired of hiding in pictures, getting winded walking across a parking lot, skipping out on activities, feeling lazy, and most of all being embarrassed of myself. No ONE thing made me how I am today. It was a combination of about every health and fitness option I could find. So don't think there's some magic pill, wrap, gym membership, meal, vitamin, app, surgery, diet, workout, waist trainer, book, hypnosis, shake, powder or anything else that will just do it for you. It's finding your own way and using the tools that work for you. It's making the right healthy choices for your body. In the last year, I've made some big life choices and huge lifestyle changes, and I couldn't be more happy with myself. I still have a long way to go on this journey, and I'm not giving up.
#3 The Tipping Point
Haley, a post-graduate student in psychology, admits to struggling with her weight as a child - but says that it was at university that her overeating spiralled out of control.
As an "emotional eater" she would binge on crisps, sweets and carbs.
She added: "I was overweight my whole life. I was a chubby little kid and teen."
"In college is when the real weight gain began."
"I bought whatever looked good and had an unlimited college dining meal plan - so I went crazy."
"Just about anything could trigger me to eat."
"I was and still can be an emotional eater. I ate when I was sad, bored, stressed or happy and wanted to celebrate."
#2 A True Inspiration
Haley's story has been a true inspiration to people everywhere. She has proved that with dedication and resolve, anything is possible. But as she says, the fight is far from over!
#1 The Big Day
And needlesly to saw, Haley was more than anything she hoped to be on her wedding. She was beautiful and felt the same from inside as well.
Way to go Haley!
