I am a 58 year old mother of two, grandmother of two (soon to be four when adoption proceedings are completed). I quit my high stress job four years ago after almost passing out at my desk because of my blood pressure. That caused me to take stock of my life and what I wanted out of it (new car or happier days?, etc) and was able to spend one really good year with my Mom before she passed away, which was two years after losing my Dad (due to an 8 year struggle with the effects of a severe stroke caused by HBP). Since then, I went to work at Cracker Barrel part time and most recently, as daytime babysitter for the little girl my daughter and son-in-law are in the process of adopting. They are also adopting her 3 year old brother who remains in the same daycare type of daily care he was on before coming to live with them (it was recommended his routine not be too disturbed and that he needed the socialization of other kids his age). Son is single but involved, DH of 40 years is supportive of my attempt at weight loss.

I love to scrapbook and make cards and I love riding my little 150cc red motorscooter. DH has a motorcycle and we like to take group rides. I am really satisfied with my life most days but have just been so unhappy because of the weight gain I've had over the past 4 years. I will post a pic of myself as my image and change it, hopefully monthly, to show my progress.

My incentives for weight loss are to get rid or at least significantly decrease my HPB, get rid of acid reflux, to feel better, to look better and to be able to enjoy my life more.