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I started working out when I was in school back in the 1990's. I would workout at the gym or run/bike around town. I never had a set plan in place just did what i wanted to when I wanted to. I was a cardio junky. I put on weight in college .... I enjoyed college life and the cafeteria. I thought some ice cream after dinner every night was a good choice. I put on the weight and covered up in bulky clothing.

In 1998, I married the man of my dreams. I probably weighed the least I had in a longtime. I NEEDED to make sure I looked good in those photos. I enjoyed being married ...... a glass of wine or two perhaps a beer or two and the pounds started to pack on. I tried many diets and fads. I got results but I always gained the weight back. It was frustrating. I would have an event coming up .... many friends were getting married .... so I would panic and try the latest fad. UGH!

DH and I moved from an apartment to our first home in 2000. We decided to commit to a endurance fundraising event with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This would get us in shape !! He ran the Maine Marathon and I rode the Seacoast Century Ride. It was a great experience. We raised money for a wonderful cause. I could ride 100 miles in one day but I would not consider myself in great shape.

Spring of 2001 a friend of mine said she was participating in a woman's only triathlon with Danskin. It was ONLY a Sprint (about 1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike and 3.1 mile run). I trained (or at least I thought I did). I finished. I look back on the pictures and I can not believe I let myself get there.

DH and I teamed up with Team and Training again. They needed some help with support of new participants for fundraising. So we became support coaches (not training but the fundraising side). We both ran the Disney 2002 marathon. We both finished. I have the pictures ...

Fast forward quite a few years. We have a family. I put on ALOT of weight when I was pregnant those 2 times. You KNOW I was eating for two. The baby had cravings. My children are now in elementary school. I can no longer say it is the "baby weight".

I started working out with a trainer at the local YMCA. I was getting results. I was able to get down a couple of sizes in my pants.

However, life kicked me down. In January of 2008, my father dropped dead in a local store of a massive heart attack. He was only 64 years old. All the hard work I had done was undone. I went back to stress eating, not working out and having a few drinks. The pounds started packing on. I lost the will and drive to take care of myself. I was doing what i could to get thru the day.

I decided that if I committed to a multisport event that would force me to get in shape. LAter in 2008, I did duathlons to train for something. I could run, bike and run. But I still wouldn't call myself in shape.

2009 and 2010 I started adding the triathlons back into my routine. I survived the swim in 2009. I would only do sprint races with 1/4 mile swim because I could survive that swim with the sidestroke and breaststroke.

2010 I took it up a notch. I decided and signed up for an Olympic distance triathlon (1 mile swim, 26 mile bike and 6 mile run). I could barely swim but I would have to learn to swim. I learned. I trained for 12 weeks. I completed this milestone.

However, a month later I was in Disney with my family. I knew I was in physical condition to perform these races. Not many people can or decide to do these type of events. However, I was not truly in shape. The pictures told me that.

When we got home from Disney, my husband ordered P90X without me knowing. He got it for himself. We did it together (well at different times). Finally, I was putting into place a nutrition and fitness plan i could follow. I really wanted to get back into triathlons .... so I committed to ChaLEAN Extreme and on cardio days I would swim, bike or run. It was working well.

In 2011, I competed in several sprint races and the Olympic race again. I had a good season. I was an athena .... meaning I did not compete at the age group level I competed at the women's level for over 150 pounds. I never thought I could get below 150.

THEN everything clicked ..... in my off season for 2011 I did Turbofire ... I loved the intense cardio. I felt a renewed sense of purpose and training.

Now comes 2012 .... I am upping the ainty again .... this time I will be competing in a HALF IRONMAN (70.3 miles of swimming, biking and running) and I will be doing it as an age grouper .... I am on my way to be in best shape of my life.

I have lost 12 pounds since last year! WOO! HOO! It is a daily struggle but finally I feel like the pieces are coming together. Healthy choices, fitness and support!

I know the small changes are adding up and I can not wait to see what tomorrow brings!