I am a 51 year old working mother with three teens. I've been overweight through my 30's and 40's, and I don't want to spend the rest of my adult life wishing I were thinner, healthier, could buy prettier clothes, etc. I want to be able to say my weight aloud to others without being embarrassed; actually, being proud to say my weight would be cool. I want to lose weight for many reasons: vanity, health, energy, my marriage, my kids, to buy lovely clothes, to go swimming without hesitation (I'm so tired of being one of the women fully dressed on the side of the pool), to not be ashamed when others see me eating a piece of cake. I think many of you have been or are in the same place.

One advantage I have is that no matter how much or how little I've weighed, I've always walked a lot. It is not difficult for me to go a few miles at a time - I have no pain conditions and no fear of walking anywhere. I have gotten lazy over the last year (I discovered on-line television), but I hope to get in the daily habit of exercise.

I am also a decent cook and I make healthy meals for my family. If I stop eating extra meals and high fat/high sugar snacks, I know my weight will drop.

Thank you for all of the support and knowledge you share every day. I wish each of you success.