CNN PRODUCER NOTE     In 2008, epikhigh63 says her weight hovered just over 200 pounds. 'I hated myself and the way I looked. I had been miserable my whole life from being bullied about my weight all through school and it made me feel worthless and undeserving,' she said. Her ah-ha moment came at Christmas that year. 'I looked at a photo of myself and decided that I didn't want to think like this a year from now. That is when I began my journey. Although now I draw my motivation from positive sources, back then it was that "I'll show them" attitude that got my butt in gear!'

The graphic designer, now 26 years old, went on to lose 100 pounds and become a competitive body builder. 'My favorite thing about competing is that feeling you get right before you go out on stage. Suddenly everything becomes real, you realize you made it through the dreadful dieting and endless,mind-numbing cardio, and you get your time to shine.'
- dsashin, CNN iReport producer