My first post

Hello, blogworld!  Nice to meet you.

I've been following some blogs for the past few months - they're all very inspiring.  In the past few weeks I've decided that I need to get on with my life and my goals, and I'm thinking that blogging just might help me with that. 

Here's a little bit of my story:

I just turned 40 years old in August.  Most people can't believe that I'm 40 - in fact, a friend of a friend recently commented that she was so much older than me, so I asked her age and she said that she was 31 - that's probably a stretch, but nice nonetheless.

I'm married and have a 5-year-old daughter.  My hubby and I both work full-time, daughter is in kindergarten, and hubby also is earning his degree online.  Between all of that, dance classes, a big family, many friends, and the regular everyday things, life is pretty busy.

So what's to complain about?  I'm just generally not happy - with MYSELF.  I love my family and friends, and the job is OK.  I'm just tired of being fat.  I've come a long way on this mission.  At my heaviest, about 11 years ago, I was up to about 275 pounds.  A friends and I joined Weight Watchers and we both did well - I lost almost 80 pounds.  Then I met the love of my life and I got comfortable...then got married...then had a baby...and there I was at 250 pounds again.

I became so unhappy - even with a great husband and new little baby girl.  I thought I was going to have to go into therapy.  But then I decided that all of my issues had to do with my weight.  I couldn't play with my daughter.  I remember sitting on the back porch just watching her run around by herself - I just didn't want to get off of my fat ass.

I rejoined Weight Watchers, this time through work.  A friend joined me for most of the journey and we did well - then she kind of fell off the wagon and I tried to go it alone.  In about two years, I lost about 75 pounds, getting to my lowest adult weight ever.  Then I turned 40.  I was so happy.  I died my hair blonde, got some new clothes, had a party.  I received SO MANY compliments about how great I looked.  And then...COMFORT.  "Oh, I look so good, maybe I'll have that hamburger."  "Oh, it's my birthday, let me eat 5 cupcakes." 

"Oh, hello 10 pounds.  So nice to see you again."

Now I have to make some REAL changes.  Get back to it.  Finish this journey.  Be normal.

This is the start of normal.