January 7, 2008 Introduction

HiI'm Wendy. Here's a bit of background about me:I am 47 years old, divorced, with 2 kids (Laura is 12, Danny will be 11 in a month), and the sweetest little doggie on earth, my 11 pound Bichon/Toy Poodle mix named Duke (my son wanted a Rottweiler...).

I would like to lose 66 pounds. I have already lost 18 since mid November when I had hernia surgery. After surgery I tend to lose my appetite for awhile, and wearing a tight abdominal binder hasn't exactly helped it come back! So, 66 to go.

Why do I want to lose weight? Well, aside from the fact that I'm too darn fat, and also out of shape, and need desperately to get healthy, I have a new and improved motivation.I'm going to SCOTLAND!!!! Yup, after dreaming about it for 25 years, I'm actually DOING it! I leave August 9. I am going to be doing some serious walking over there, so I need to decrease my weight and increase my stamina so that I can enjoy myself! So, this is my motivation. I am going to cut out pictures of men in kilts and put them in and on my fridge, pantry, and anywhere else I might find food!

Now, you have to know that I've basically done every diet known to woman. From Weight Watchers to South Beach to the Rotation Diet to Optifast (twice!). When I topped out at 486 pounds in 2001, I knew I needed some serious help. I had gastric bypass surgery in May 2001, and lost 250 pounds in the next year and a half. Since then, I've kind of played with about 20 or 30 of those, and in the past year I noticed a few more coming back. So it really is time to do something, and NOW!!!I started last Wednesday, January 2. I never start January 1, don't know why, I just don't. I'm following my own plan right now, but I'll be meeting with a nutritionist next week to get some guidance.

I drink as much water each day as I can, and at least 64 ounces. Today I had about 80.I also go to the gym 6 days a week (Sundays off..) and walk on the treadmill and use the elliptical trainer. I started slow, due to arthritis. Today I was up to .30 miles at 1.5 MPH, and 11 minutes on the elliptical. I'll increase every other day by .05 miles and 1 minute, until I reach my goal of 2 miles at 1.5 mph, at which time I'll start increasing the speed a bit.

I will be having rotator cuff surgery, probably in February, which may slow me down but not much! Once that heals, I'll be back to working with a trainer who will help me get in shape.So, that's a little about me. Just getting started, but determined and highly motivated. I joined the Biggest Loser challenge, and I'm doing my very best.Thanks for checking out my story!