"Looking in to the mirror one morning (about 3 months ago), I discovered that I indeed wasn't the thin, fit person I thought I was. I was becoming fat and lazy. I'd gotten to the point where I just wasn't happy with the way I looked, but I didn't know what to do about it. I knew that I had to do something – and soon – before it got even worse.

My quest started by running a search for "personal online trainer" and I ended up coming across several websites. Surely there would be a "half-way decent" website out there somewhere. In an attempt to figure out which one would be the best for me I sent e-mails to the websites I was interested in, and asked for more information. Chad quickly replied within an hour with a personal e-mail. After exchanging a couple of e-mails I realized that Global Health & Fitness was exactly the service I was looking for, with complete nutritional, exercise and fitness programs that were custom-tailored to each members goals. I've done exercise programs before, but was never confident that I was doing everything properly.

I signed up and subsequently filled out their questionnaire providing information about where I was now and my personal goals, the time and equipment I had available, etc. I was determined, I was motivated, and my GHF personal trainer sent me a link to GHF's 12 week Fitness Challenge. Surely these past contest winners were the exception, not the rule, right? There was no way I could make that sort of incredible transformation.

The GHF staff assured me that I could achieve outstanding results, similar to those seen on their website, by using their personalized services and programs developed by their impressive fitness professionals. I decided I'd give it a shot. Why not, what did I have to lose?

I took pictures of myself and filled out my Before Materials Application. After having my bodyfat tested and seeing my photos, I became very discouraged, and disappointed. However, instead of letting this get me down I just let it fuel my energy. This is not who I was, I had to make a change before it was too late. I was skeptical about staying on such a program, but excited at the same time.

I purchased a Bowflex out of the local newspaper, determined that I would be successful. There were definitely difficulties, complications and obstacles. It wasn't all fun and games. Bad knees and a recurring back injury prevented me from jogging or jumping rope for my cardio. I settled on purchasing a mountain bike for my cardio. I never once stepped foot in to a gym. All of my strength training sessions were done on a Bowflex using the Global Health & Fitness ProTrack software, and workout schedules that I downloaded from the website.

With the timely advice from very own online personal trainer, Dani Myers, and variety of their other experts, I stuck to it, and even began to enjoy and look forward to every minute of my workouts. From the beginning of the contest, I've lost 45 pounds of fat, and put on 18 pounds of lean body mass. I went from 33% bodyfat to just 15% body fat in less then 12 weeks!!

I'm in the best shape I've ever been in. I feel great and have more energy then I could have ever imagined. The compliments I receive on my physique are humbling, and I can't help but tell everyone about Global Health & Fitness (GHF). I owe my gratitude to GHF and their team of professionals. I wouldn't have been able to do it without their amazing help and guidance! This 12-week Fitness Challenge has definitely helped serve as an inspiration to me. I write this, not so much hoping that I will win this contest, as much as truly hoping that I can serve as in inspiration to others."

Mark Booth fordlover49@yahoo.com