I have been fat my whole life. My Mom remembers all the neighbor ladies buying their daughters cute clothes from the local K-Mart. But she couldn't for me. Always had to go to the fat stores. Though I had a wonderful childhood, there are too many memories of my Mom physically forcing me onto the scale. I hated it. Over the years I have made several serious attempts at weight loss, but have not been able to lose more than 40 lbs. with any one attempt. Fat as I was, I still married the love of my life (he and my Mom are in the picture with me -- we first met when we were 14). My weight ballooned after the birth of my second daughter and is complicated with a hypo-thyroid, two pins in my right ankle (I broke my talus dome in 2005) and Rheumatoid Arthritis. He has been shockingly supportive and treats me like a queen. Our family has been going to the YMCA for 3 years, but this past 6 months I have really kicked it up. I purchased personal trainer sessions, and have been working with my PT twice a week, every week. And I have been seriously praying for help with this struggle.

On 3/11/08 a friend and I decided to embark on our own "Biggest Loser". We couldn't actually submit a tape, because our families couldn't go 3 months without our paychecks. She and I have been working out together and supporting each other via Email & blogging. At 45 years old, I am committed to making this work - for the rest of my life. I will not use my health issues as an excuse. I will not use ankle pain or arthritis pain as an excuse. I will not be sloppy or too lazy to work out. I will not make excuses for not meal planning.

I will conquer this monster.

And I will release my inner thin woman.