Six months ago, I wrote a poker journal thread titled, "Taking The Leap Next Year". Six months ago I was obsessed with poker and truly believed that I could become a full-time player. That was six months ago. When you happen to say things from an early standpoint with the rest of the year left still in play, there's a pretty big opening for uncertainty because no one truly knows what tomorrow will eventually bring. I was at a point where I had a firm grip on poker strategy and play. I was studying and playing constantly becoming more comfortable and confident each time I sat down at the table. Even though things on the felt seemed to be going well for me, things off the felt weren't. My health was in question due to my increased weight gain and poor diet. I can't blame my weight gain just on me and me alone though. It was a side effect from one of the three antidepressants I was taking. Throughout the years being on them, I worked out, took pretty good care of myself, but my appetite was off the charts. I never felt full which can be a discouraging and annoying feeling. When April of this year came around, I had enough and wanted to wean off the correct way with the help of my doctor. Then I came to a point where I felt, if I can wean off one, lets just wean off all three together and be done with it, and so I did. My doctor gave me a one month time period to wean off all three a particular way and let me tell you, it was the absolute worst experience I've ever been through in my entire life. First and foremost, everyone reacts differently to antidepressants because everyone has different brain chemistry, so it's extremely difficult to pin point the problem and to pin point how long you should take to wean off if you have to at all. I went through every single withdrawal side effect imaginable both physical and mental. To be honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it through this summer at all. It was that bad. Even though I was going through all of this, I still knew I couldn't give up. Wouldn't be right. Now, these medications had been working for me years prior but it did come along with a side effect which was increased appetite and weight gain, but all and all, I was functioning and happy for the most part. So I had a choice: Be absolutely depressed with a chance of giving up or go back on the medications that were working for me and tweak the things you are now aware of to avoid unhealthiness. I chose the second option. I tweaked a particular medication I was taking with the help from my doctor and went on a better path by eating healthier, not excessively and exercising on a regular basis. Lost 30 pounds doing so as well. 237 lbs to 207 lbs. Now at one point, I did wanna play full-time, but I experienced a lot of things this summer that changed my mind. I have nothing against full-time play, but it just wouldn't be suitable for me I realize. The aspect that comes along with full-time play is the emotional swings, not just financial. I had enough of that in my life and I know I wouldn't be able to handle it. I respect anyone who can though. As of recently, I have been diving back into the enjoyment that poker gives me. Love reading about it and most of all, playing it. My aspirations have changed. For me, I view poker as a profitable side hobby which I will take part in mostly on the weekends and work my regular 9-5 job throughout the week. I guess the whole concept behind my story is, choices are everything in life. Think about the action your going to take before just making an impulse decision. Poker is a lot like life in a way and that's why I value the game so much. The more correct decisions you make, the greater the outcome will be.