It was September 2008 - I had been through a lot that year - been laid off from my job, had been working part-time with benefits in another position and looking for a new job. I went on an interview that in hindsight changed my entire life. It was for the Girl Scouts doing their public relations for the local council. It was such an exciting opportunity that I vowed that if I got the job I was going to lose weight. I didn't like the way I looked in pictures. My mom vowed to do it with me. So when I got the job - in October we started going to Weight Watchers. I think we were both skeptical in the beginning thinking that how can this possibly work? But we stuck to it and started religiously tracking our points and eating healthy and a few weeks in we began exercising. The weight came off gradually and we went every week for 2 years. We became an inspiration for members at that meeting because between the two of us in two years we had lost 160 + pounds - that's a whole other person! I was having foot surgery on my foot in October 2010 so my goal was to reach my weight goal before then because I knew I was going to put some weight on when I couldn't exercise for about 12 weeks. In September 2010 I reached my goal of 150 pounds. I lost 86 pounds on Weight Watchers!

In December 2010 my boyfriend of 5 years proposed to me and things changed a little. In June 2011 I moved out of the area and away from my family and in with my now fiancee and his daughter. My motivation - my mom - was now not around to give me the motivation. It was a really difficult adjustment for me and I gradually put on almost 20 pounds before I decided enough was enough. I was NOT going to get back to where I was. I loved the way I looked and felt really good about myself and I didn't want that to change. I had learned what I needed to learn on Weight Watchers and knew I could do it again. So I set a goal for myself - I wanted to run a 5K in 2012. I have asthma and had foot surgery so I knew it was going to be a struggle, but I was sure I could do it. I began running and exercising on a regular basis again. I worked myself up to 3 miles and felt great! Running felt so good. It was my time. I feel so much better when I get up in the morning and exercise and it starts my day off right and I am always eating healthy because I exercise. I have created a new normal for myself. I know what is healthy and I don't want to go back to the other ways. I don't eat fast food, but I don't deprive myself of something I'm craving - whether it be soft ice cream or to go out for dinner once in awhile. If I don't eat what I want I end up over doing it and eating unhealthy stuff. You can eat anything you want! It is all about moderation.

I ran my first 5K in July of this year and it felt amazing to cross that finish line. I was proud of myself for running the ENTIRE way! I am now at 148 pounds and am still working on losing a few more pounds. It feels amazing to be classified as healthy! I am getting married in April and can not wait for everyone to see me in my dress and see how all my hard work has paid off.

If you're struggling and need some motivation I hope this provides it because if I can do it - you can! I LOVE food. I have always loved food and I don't feel like I am missing out on anything. I hope you have people in your life who can motivate you to get you started like my mom did for me and I did for my mom. Get moving - 10 minutes a day - that's all it takes to get started. You can do it!

Happy New Year everyone!