I've struggled with my weight since adolescence, but when I got to college I was in pretty good shape (140 lbs, 5'6). Then came the freshman 15.. or 20. By the time I got to graduate school, my health took a turn for the worst. My weight got up to 186 lbs during my second year of graduate school. None of my clothes fit anymore, and I resolved to lose the weight and radically change my life style.

I managed to follow Bill Phillip's "Body for Life" pretty religiously for almost two years. During the first three months, I dropped 25 lbs. I lost another 15 over the next six months. I went from a size 14 to a size 6. I became an active woman: I biked to school, took tai chi and yoga classes, worked out 6 days a week and felt incredibly proud of the progress I made! Then I had a few injuries (broke a toe in a freak accident, sprained my foot running, dislocated my knee in another accident). Suddenly, I could no longer live the active life I had built for myself. Although I did physical therapy and started to work out again, it was not the same, and I did not feel motivated to eat in a healthy way. Each year, for four years, I put on 10 lbs, until I had gained back all the weight I lost! As of 2010, I had gotten back up to 186 lbs. Even on January 1st of this year I was 185!

I'm graduating this year and I want to be in shape and healthy for the next phase of my life. I also want to get my weight under control, as I've had some health issues emerge that require me to lose weight. I also crave the self confidence I felt when I could fit into sexy jeans or wear beautiful dresses.

I want 2011 to be my best year yet!