I looked in the mirror and would tell myself I was fine. Just a few extra, no big deal. Sure a few people said something but what do they know, right? Just some friends busting balls.

But the comments that hurt the most were when I was on a ski trip with my then girlfriend and her family. One of the family friends, an older guy who didn't know me at all, called me fat a couple of times. A couple of jokes at my expense. I rolled with it, but it hurt.

Months later at a bachelor party, we went on a short hike. A couple of guys I hadn't met also made some fat jokes. Then I saw the picture. The picture of me undeniably overweight on this hike. I knew I had to change.

That picture became my "before." I've lost 40 pounds since last August. It took change in myself, but I would've never admitted it alone.

Anyways that was a long personal story but I wanted to get it off my chest. All that to say -- yes, sometimes some shame does help.