Where to Begin?

I haven't always been fat. However, looking back, I always thought I was. (If only I knew how bad it could get!)

Growing up, I was not one of those girls on the cheer leading squad or on a sports team, but I was active. I used to walk or ride my bike every where with my friends. (Those were the days!) Coming from a single parent home, we ate out a lot. When we did eat at home, we ate mostly quick, unhealthy meals. Still, I never had to watch my weight.

Then in 2002, at the age of 22, I found out I was expecting a bundle of joy. I gained a ton of weight with my pregnancy. I was eating for two, right? If only I had listened to my mom when she said loosing pregnancy weight would be hard. (I know now that mom's are right most of the time.)

In 2004 I joined a small gym and hired a personal trainer. I was so motivated, I got down into my pre-pregnancy jeans. However, I guess I thought the weight would just stay off. I mean, when I was younger, I didn't have to worry about watching what I ate all the time. Slowly the weight climbed back on but I was too discouraged to do anything about it. I had great intentions though. I did a lot of talking about losing weight but never put in the effort.

Then in 2007, I found out I was expecting my second bundle of joy. However, with this pregnancy I had gestational diabetes. I had to use insulin four times a day for several months and my blood sugar was never controlled. I also followed a pretty hard-core eating plan that my nutritionalist gave me. I hardly gained any weight (something like 10 pounds!)

I am an emotional eater and having two kiddos stressed me out! I did pretty good eating during the day but at night after the kids were in bed, I was finally able to de-stress and I would eat and eat and eat. Vegging on the couch with Grey's Anatomy and a bag of Cheese Puffs was so relaxing to me.

Then in August of this year, my family and I moved to Gainesville, Florida. I found a local parenting magazine, Giggle. Inside was the article about the weight loss challenge. I applied, crossing my fingers because I really had to do something about my weight. I got the call a few weeks later that I had been selected. OMG....is this really happening to me?? Finally!!! I have no excuse!!