Just finished college essay.. would like to know what you guys think

The Transformation

Sitting alone in my room on November 7th, 2003, I realized it was time to make a huge change in my life. I began feeling sharp pains in my chest. They fluctuated on and off for roughly one hour. It was in that horrifying hour I realized my health was in danger and a change was required. This would mean changing my whole lifestyle; instead of coming home and sitting on the couch to indulge in television, I would need to come home and rush to the gym to exercise before heading to work.

The night of my pains, I read everything I could regarding exercise and nutrition. During the following days, immediately after school I would get on the computer and read about nutrition for hours on end. I knew a change in my lifestyle had to occur. My mother was very supportive, as she was worried about my health as well. Initially, defying my problem was weighing me down as if I had a mountain upon my shoulders. Figuratively speaking, I did. Friends and family doubted me or did not take my efforts seriously and overweight friends told me it was impossible to lose weight. This became the driving factor in my weight loss attempt. Nothing was getting in the way of my goals.

Lifestyle changes were extremely harsh at first, but after getting into a routine it essentially became part of my life. After the first month, I began to feel healthier. Family and friends even started noticing my weight loss. Not only was I physically stronger, but my mental strength also underwent an elephantine boost. I could achieve anything I set my mind to. I knew that as each day passed, my goal was getting closer and closer. Instead of waking up depressed about the day ahead and the problems I would have to face, I now wake up excited to take the world head on, face to face.

My persistent spirit drives me forward day to day, striving for unattainable perfection. No other obstacle has proven itself as difficult to master as the one I still face to this day, weight loss. It is the 12th of November in 2004, and I have fought off eighty pounds. My weight has substantially dropped from 230 pounds to 150 pounds. Although I have reached my initial goal, I strive for more. It is impossible to retain a successful life by giving up when the predetermined goal has been achieved. There is always greater. Always better.