At the start of this competition, I was really in it for the money. I wish I could say that I had terrible self-esteem issues or hated what I looked like, but I wasn’t that uncomfortable with who I was. What I have realized over these past 3 months about myself though, is that I wasn’t as comfortable with myself as I had thought, and that I really had a strong desire to be healthier.

The most interesting thing for me has been seeing my motivation for this competition change as my body has. The money gave me the motivation to bump up working out in my priority list initially, but as time has progressed, I have come to find a true passion for health that I didn’t know that I had. I am not in this all just for money, but I really have proven to myself, that despite my incredibly busy lifestyle, taking 18 credit hours and being the Vice President of Leeds Business Student Government, as well as planning a philanthropic volleyball tournament, I have been able to find time for myself. I had to make it another “extracurricular activity.”

I have shown myself that when I really get down to it, I can make a noticeable impact in my health as well as my appearance. This is why I chose not to take any protein shakes, body enhancers, anything. I just ate healthy, went spinning 3 times a week, and worked out with a friend 2-3 times a week.

I am in the best shape I have been in since freshmen year of high school, even including rowing on the crew team my freshmen year of college. I can see now that this is not just a 3 month competition, but really a life choice that I am excited to continue working on.



Eric Stout