Since leaving high school, I have had increasing weight gain, fatigue, and body aches. I just dealt with it, thinking it was normal. When I turned 43, I had my second child, and I just could not find it in myself to chase him around and play as much as he wanted me to. I really wanted to be there for my boy, but I was so tired and always in pain, (joints, muscles, even felt like my bones sometimes.) I decided I was going to get in shape and feel better so I could play whenever he wanted.

When I turned 46, surprise, my precious girl was born. Now I had two powerful reasons to get healthy. I read books, I tried different mattresses, different diets, different self-help programs. 6 years of trying and I was heavier than I had ever been, was more tired and in more pain. My doctor diagnosed me with diabetes and high cholesterol. I was devastated. She told me that I had to get healthy, or I would end up with full blown diabetes and heart disease.

All I could think about was leaving my two young children too soon. I have to be there for them until they grow up, get married, have kids of their own. What am I going to do?