My profile photo is from our vacation in Cozumel, Mexico in August 2011. I wanted to remind myself of how healthy and happy I felt then, so that I have a clear goal to work toward.

Four years ago, I dropped 40 lbs in 12 months by counting calories, exercising and sheer self-control, and it paid off - I got back down to the weight I was on my 16th birthday.

I always hated exercising and never participated in any sports growing up, so when I completed a Half Marathon in October 2011 in under 2.5 hours, I proved to myself that if you try hard enough, you can reach any goal.

I only have about 18 lbs to lose this time to get back down to that magic number, so I know I can do it!