Hi there

I'm Zain, 28 and I am from London, England. I am currently living in North Carolina for work, until late July. After my first month in the US i decided to take advantage of the time away from home, pressure and demoralization to try and make a change in my life. I decided to join a gym, get a trainer and try and eat better with the aim of losing enough weight that my friends and family would notice it instantly when i get back home.

I work with the trainer 3 times a week and try and get to the gym to use the treadmill 3 times a week leaving a day for rest. I have also tried to cut out the worse fast food, not easy when you are living away from home and your easiest way to eat is to eat out. But so far it seems to be working, after 4 weeks i am down 10lbs and am feeling so much healthier. The first few times with the trainer was disastrous, collapsing, pain, sweat and yes tears. But after a month not only am i enjoying it, but i feel terrible when i do not go and i feel that my body requires it, at least a 2 mile jog on the treadmill if nothing else, my stamina is much better and muscles i have not had in 10 years have started to return.

This post comes exactly 1 month to the day after i started training and fitness pal, in the next month i hope to lose another 10lbs at least. I have 4 months before i return to England and if i can lose another 40lbs by then my body should look different enough that people would notice right? It wont be easy im sure but i feel like this is the opportunity i have been waiting for and i can not let it slip by.

I would love encouragement and friends on here, so please feel free to add me, i hope to update my profile etc soon.