5’9”, 30-something female; starting weight: 272lbs (not the heaviest I’ve ever been, that was 290!). I’ve been heavy most of my life (age 9 I started getting fat) and most of the people in my family are (or were) overweight. My father has diabetes and my mother died at only age 63 after a heart-attack (combination of poor diet and smoking). I have no interest in diabetes or death in 30 years, so I’m taking steps to get my act together.

7 months ago I injured my knee in a bad way and it’s been tough to exercise, but I’m doing the best I can. Getting my diet under control will have to be “enough” to get me started. I struggle with eating my emotions – stress, sadness, happiness, I eat it all. This is obviously another challenge, but again, working on it. I feel like I need a “work in progress” sign hovering above my head at all times.

Trial and error with experimentation in the mix is what I’m up to. I’m monitoring calories and carbohydrates, cutting out sugar, and just trying to get healthier. Fingers crossed.