I have been needing to start a blog here. Not sure how it works. But I can start it.  Can I update as I go down my path?  I hope so.  I don't want to recreate the wheel every time.

I have been overweight since I got married some 25 years ago.  Just marginally.  But for what I was used to, it was overweight.  Small-boned, 5'9" and got up to 160. Then divorced right after my daughter was born, sold my house in San Diego and moved to a very small town where my parents retired to in Arkansas.  Oh, not a good move.  My mother tried to control me.  The jobs available were awful next to what I was used to.  I had been an officer in the Navy and also got my law degree.  But, after my divorce and after leaving the Navy, I was a single mom to 2 kids.  I couldn't afford to stay in S.D.  And I gained more and more weight.  Didn't think much of myself back then.  That was 1991.  In 1996 I started walking before work.  I watched what I ate, and lost some weight.  Felt good about losing around 20 lbs.

Fast forward. Moved back to my home town. With my 11 year old daughter.  My son had already joined the Navy.  I had no family here, but that was okay.  We both joined 24 Hour Fitness. Still a member there.  We worked out, and I loved the resistance training. Feeling good about myself.  After some yo-yoing, got down to 150.  My normal weight had been between 130 and 135.  But I was okay with the 150.  Started dating.  Loved it.

But, once I got a man I cared for, I started putting on the weight again.  I hated myself.  Quit the gym.

This happened over and over again.  Then, 6 years ago, my daughter moved out.  I bought a house again after 7 years of living in apartments.  I missed my daughter, but she told me she was an adult.  She had to be on her own.

I gained like 10 pounds a month for 5 months.  For the first time, went over 200.  But I didn't stop there.  Slowly, over the last few years I gained even more.  My niece got married practically in my backyard, yet I wouldn't go to her wedding.  I helped plan for 2 years my 40th high school reunion.  Yet, last minute, didn't go.  I even hated going to the grocery store.  I HATED myself for being so fat.

Health - developed high blood pressure.  Developed diabetes.  And just this last year, they have added high cholesterol to the mix.  Also, since 2009, I had to wear a CPAP just to sleep at night.  BECAUSE of the WEIGHT!

I hurt to walk.  My knees, my hips, my back. I was going to bed earlier than my 70-80 year old parents.  Is this any way to live?

When the scales hit 220, that did it!  I knew I was killing myself.  So, I called Jenny Craig.

Thirteen weeks later I am almost 31 lbs down.  I have about 47 to go to hit my goal.  And it is NOT 150.  It is 140.  I may not stop there. I am getting the confidence back.  The energy is unbelievable.  I am 60 years old and feel 50, or 40?  I am gong to copy a picture here that is way not flattering.  From when I had just been with JC a month.

I think JC is saving my life.  Honestly.  And I have learned that just eating the meals won't do it for me.  I have to move my body.  And I do.  I am not letting Jenny do all the work.  I am going to keep on adding to what I can do.  July 3rd, I am trying boot camp.  And I have had back surgery!  I swim 30 to 45 minutes most days.  At least an hour on weekends.

I thank each of you who reads these things.  This is mainly for me, but if anyone else wants to read my journey, then that is all good.