What was my "A-Ha" moment?  I remember getting copies of the photos from my friend Jessica's bachelorette weekend, and I was horrified to see my fat bloated self.  I haddn't realized how really big I was.  I knew how much I weighed, but the mental image I had of my self was much less...huge.

So what's my story? Well, I was never a fat child, but not a skinny-minnie either.  I went through puberty early, so that didn't help matters one bit.  I remember being so terribly self-concious of my weight in high school, and I was at my ideal weight.  I flucuated between 117 lbs and 130 lbs until I graduated.  I then started packing on the poundage.  I moved out on my own when I was 21 and suddenly, I could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.  It was glorious freedom!   I weighed 175(ish) when I got married and was 180 when I got pregnant with Jamie.   I was at about 201 after I had Jamie.) I attempted to do weight watchers after I had Jamie and managed to get down to 188 lbs, but the taste of getting thinner got away from me, and I packed it all back on and then some more.  September 5, 2002 I walked through the doors of Weight Watchers and weighed in at 215.4.  I've had some ups and downs the past year, but I am still bound and determined to lose all this fat hiding my true self.

Why am I doing Weight Watchers? I'm doin g Weight Watchers because, frankly, I'm fat. I've been overweight for over half of my life.  I hit my all time high of 215 the summer of 2002. I think the turning point for me was wearing a dress that was about 2 sizes too small to my friend Jessica's wedding. I felt like a sausage poured into the dress. Since I don't own, and haven't owned a full length mirror in over 8 years, I don't even know how I looked. Pretty sad, huh.

When did I join Weight Watchers? I joined Weight Watchers on September 5, 2002. My official weigh in weight was 215.4. I felt so in control after I left the meeting, and I haven't looked back. I attended meetings at the Ruby Isle Shopping Center in Brookfield, WI. However, I am currently not able to afford Weight Watcher's fees, so I am doing it on my own with the help of my two Aunties and a mutual friend Ellen.  We weigh in on Wednesday's and then do some sort of exercise wether it is WATP tapes or walking.  It is great support, and it is nice to get out of the house once a week and have some fun!  My friend Jessica (Hi Jess!) also does Weight Watchers, so we support each other as well.

How many pounds have I lost so far? You're going to have check out my Stats page for that one. Each and every pound is a struggle, and I am constantly amazed about how easy it is to gain a couple of pounds, but how absolutely HARD it is to lose the same couple of pounds.

What is my favorite low points snack food? Right now I would have to say Fat Free Pringles. 1 point for 15 chips. You can't beat 'em.

What is my favorite low points pre-packaged food? My friend Jess has me hooked on the low-fat, State Fair Brand Corn Dogs. They are only 2 points each, and are full sized, real meat corn dogs. Unfortunately, my local grocery store doesn't carry them anymore. So I have been searching high and low for them, but they don't seem to be a hot item on my side of town.  Hrmph.

What kind of pre-packaged food do you refuse to buy? In the last year (or so) I stopped buying the Lean Cuisine type dinners since the majority of them are 6-7 points each and the portions are so small! I have found some soup mixes by Thai Kitchens that I make, and then add 3 or 4 cups of broccoli to them to bulk them up. I also make what I call "Potato Mess" which I will share the recipe soon. I just refuse to spend up to $3.00 on a frozen TV dinner that just doesn't fill me up and really doesn't taste all that great.  So unless I get a super good deal, they don't get bought.  I do, however, buy the Lean Cuisine Skillet Sensations meal kits once a month or so, and that really helps with a nice easily pointed meal, and bonus, the whole family enjoys it.

What do I do for exercise? I have one of those "Health Riders" that were very popular about 10 years ago. I get pretty bored while exercising, so I do it in front of the TV. It really kicks my butt right now, so I usually do a two mile "Walk Away the Pounds" tape and then 15 minutes of high intensity health rides.

What do I do for motivation? I surf the web for new web weight loss web sites, and also visit the weight loss sites that I have been lurking about for the past year. I have some great friends and family members that are such a great motivation and inspiration. I am so blessed to have so many great people in my life.

Why do I keep on changing my site's layout? Why not? I think that change is good, and I also tend to get bored with things if I don't perk things up a bit. If it makes me happy, so what?