Before high school, I was never really the active type. Most of my long summer days consisted of sitting indoors watching TV, playing video games, or any other activity that wouldn't require me to exert strenuous effort. For me, exercise was almost considered a demon. Plus, the fact that from sixth to eighth grade I was a little overweight for my height and age didn't make me want to do anything. The fact that I was like this probably added to the lack of desire to get out of the house and change the fact that I was out of shape. As I entered high school, I began running cross country and track and field, not knowing that I would actually be successful at it. The only reason I joined Cross Country my freshman year was because a girl I liked ran too, not because I wanted to get in better shape. Over the years, the reasons I continued to run changed. They went from trying to chat up a girl to wanting to get me in better physical shape. While doing this, I had no idea that it would affect me mentally so much. My belief is that exercising to be physically fit plays a role in your mental happiness. The way I am today, looking back on my mental attitude then, I can notice drastic changes on that date. I'm much more determined in most activities I do, I enjoy participating a lot more and I don't always want to be stuck inside or around the house "hating everything". The reason is that I am in better physical shape thanks to running. Before high school, I never thought that exercising, especially running miles and miles, would result in making me a happier person. From sixth to eighth grade, ...... middle of paper ...... ool, I can say that my mental attitude changed a lot. I know that being in better physical condition has definitely improved who I am. I am no longer limited in the things I do by what my body thinks I can handle. Being this way has made me a much happier person and more confident in myself and who I am or can be. Since I started running, I have more positive emotions than negative emotions. I am much less depressed and upset and have become a much brighter person. I believe everyone should at least try to get into good physical shape, not saying they should be able to run miles in a row, but at least get in good physical shape. It would really surprise some people how much it would affect them. Thanks to my grandfather Will and especially thanks to running, I am a better person, physically and mentally..