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I was skinny my whole entire childhood. I had nicknames such as Betty Boop (big head and skinny body), skinny minny and Q-Tip. I was always very active and even competed in teen pageants.

I had my daughter in 1999 and have never, ever been the same. I gained 60 lbs. while pregnant (don't ask how because I don't think I ate that much) and went through a bad break-up shortly after she was born....that's when the emotional eating started.

I obtained my first corporate, office job and I think we all know what happens in the office...the Christmas cookies, the bagels every morning, the business lunches, the traveling, etc. Before I knew it, years had passed and I had ballooned to 200lbs.

Then I met someone and fell in love. We'd go out to eat often. We'd stay in the house and cook bad things ALL of the time. We were happy and in love and eating and eating and eating, sharing deserts and such.

Now, here I am...on another weight loss journey, but this one is different. I'm in it mentally now and am choosing to not look at it as a "diet", but as another chapter of my life. I'm feeling really good about this and although I'm still with the same person whom I shared deserts with, he gets it...he doesn't try to hinder me from achieving my goals and that makes it even easier.