March 2012: I am almost 45 and have a wonderful husband and 5 year old.

I have never been skinny and will never be skinny! My weight has fluctuated over the years - ranging from 160 to 215 at my heaviest. I have lost 20 to 30 pounds at a time, only to gain it all back - despite my resolutions to the contrary.

I have decided that it's time to get healthy and change my eating habits. There are so many reasons to lose the weight. The thing that motivated me to start over was that I didn't have any pictures of myself with my 5 year old to share at school - because I never like the way I look in photos. That was a sad realization. So...there's one good reason to get in shape... to add to all the others.

I started this journey and with Fatsecret on January 3, 2012. My initial goal is to lose 45 pounds and come down to 160 pounds. This is till considered too heavy for my height - but that's where I'm headed and I will reevaluate and adjust when I get there. I just feel that 160 is attainable!

I love food - everything about it: eating (of course), cooking, reading cookbooks, watching shows, trying new things....I'm always thinking about the next meal!

Hopefully I can channel that passion into finding new healthy foods and embrace a healthier lifestyle, while still enjoying the whole food process.

I believe this time around I can make my goal and maintain it. Recording my intake and exercise and connecting with other members has certainly helped me so far.

I want 2012 to be the year I can look back on and say...I did it.

***Update: July 2012: I made my goal of 160! I can feel the difference and have been very happy with my progress. I want to drop at least another 10 pounds...so my new goal is 150. I have reduced my blood pressure medication by half...and expect to reduce further on next doctor visit. The biggest motivator/tool to make it this far has been tracking calories and weighing in.....FS has assisted tremendously. Keep on keeping on!