Hey, everyone....the reason I want everyone to read this is because I'm tired of hiding behind the comfort of being content with how I am.

On August 15, 2009, I will be getting married. In 2004, I had lost 40lb, was 7lbs away from my goal...never made my goal. Instead? I gained 55lbs...

I went from walking 4 miles a day, 6 times a week and up/down 14 flights of stairs 2 times a week to nothing and gaining all my weight (and then some) back.

I recently was diagnosed with patellar tracking disorder that does not allow me to do many stairs or run at all (and I will never be able to run again. ) . Therefore, I am forced to walk, bike, weight train and use the elliptical which allows me many options.

After missing my last goal, I want to get it straight this time. My wonderful fiance has lost a lot of weight as well and had run two half marathons and a triatholon. He has another one in February. I want to be able to join him in being active. I want to be healthy with him.

My goal is to be at my ideal weight 3 months before our wedding day; August 15, 2009. We have already made a pact that I will NOT get married unless I meet this goal. That means some pretty pissed off guests if I don't. So, I have a lot of motivation now and can use even more! But, I can use a lot of help! I figured letting everyone know my intentions would make me feel like EVERYONE is watching me. I started on January 1, 2008. Thanks for reading and have a safe and Happy New Year!!!

"All I fear means nothing..."-Utada Hikaru

Good Luck! I'm pretty sure you will achieve your goal!

having lost the weight once also makes me think you'll succeed.

(assuming you really do want to get married!)

good luck!

Best of luck Brandi...

Thanks, everyone!!! If anyone wants to be my motivator, I would love to have more!!:)

Good luck Brandi and congratulations!! You already know you can do it if you did it in the past, and it sounds like you have a great resource in your partner- he'll be your biggest motivator!! Be careful tying your personal goals into your relationship, though ;) You are going to look fantastic at your wedding.

Whew! Now that is what I call a consequence!

Stick to your plan, and you'll get there. You've done it before, which proves you have all the tools you need to make your goal!

Good Luck Brandi!

Good luck, You can do it, just don't get discouraged with the little setbacks and you will be fine.

To make this work, you first need to change your mindset and prevail with your tiny goals. Take it one day at a time, stay positive, and thrive off of any failure you meet along the way.

Try to avoid temptations that you have: fast food restaurants , donut shops, sodas, juices, eggnog, candy, cakes, cookies, pastries, and anything fried.

Look for things that taste great to you but don't fall under the temptation list. Force your body to eat good again -- the weight will come off naturally.

Get the support of your fiance, (this is crucial,) so that you both can start good habits together before you get married. Because you will have to continue these good habits indefinitely -- when and if you have children, they will need good examples from their parents. ;)

If you feel bloated all the time after eating, your body is trying to tell you something. If you feel tired all the time, your body needs exercise to wake up!

If you can, make up a schedule for eating and exercise and stick with it! Yes, unexpected things happen and will throw you off the schedule, but the next day will come and you can jump right back on again!

Btw, congratulations on your engagement!!! (Been married 11 years myself and wouldn't have it any other way!)

You can do it! Good luck!

Make sure you incorporate that you realy want this..Doing this for you and your future is the path to success. ( you can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink) If you truly want to lose the extra weight then you will succeed. Looking at your post you did lose it once so you know it can be done. Keep your eye on the prize and good luck.

Oh and congrats on the engagement. Now get moving for you!!!

Thanks everyone for the great comments (still trying to figure out how to add people at motivators...seems traineo changed it...). Stacy F, you are definitely right. I do really want this. I started walking at a park now and my fiance will run/bike past me while I'm working out and seeing him do that just motivates me to keep moving along. Also, seeing the kids at the park makes me think of how active of a parent I want to be someday. I just have to keep sticking with these thoughts.

I've given up so many times before that my fiance has doubts. So, yesterday, he was getting dressed to run and I got undressed to change for my walk and he looked at me and asked "what are you doing?" and I said "changing to go workout!". He thought i was going to bale because I had given up so many times before and felt like crap that day. But, I'm proving it to him again this time. Just got back from another walk today. :-D I feel great!!!!

Good Luck !!!

Good Luck Brandi!! I'll sure be watching with great support and interest.

Perhaps you should update this post every 4-6 weeks to keep us all in the loop with your progress. Will be great to follow your success story along its complete path.

All the very best

Thanks everyone!!!!! Well, I will take your advice, Dean...and start with an early update. I already lost 5lbs!

There have been a lot of posts about it and I will second it...being in your target heart rate zone really DOES make a difference. I got a polar F6 and that thing helps SO much on my walks...

Also on the weight watchers deal, too. So, started that Jan 1st and it's only Monday and I'm already feeling better, I've lost weight, and have much more energy. It's amazing what only a few days can do for you. I had forgotten about that feeling.

I hope this inspires some other people reading out there...make that move. I promise after a day you can feel better!!! I didn't believe it..but, it does. Thanks to everyone for their support...that little bit of support makes a big difference, too, so reach out when you need to.

5lbs!! Thats awesome!! Congratulations Brandi and keep up the good work!!

'When you're heading in the right direction, all you have to do is keep walking'

'The longest step is always the first step'

Good job Brandi. You do have some awesome things to work for, and that should make it that much more rewarding when you reach your goal.

You've set out to do it, and now you have the resources. You're already halfway there! Let us know how the coming weeks go for you.

Ok, update, funky doodles....being female SUCKS! (I don't think I need to explain anymore...) But, surprisingly? With all the junk and trying to control the overindulgence? I only gained 1lb...probably all water weight though, too, since I'm bloated as HELL!! Haven't done walking/physical therapy since last Wednesday. I need to get my butt moving!

How long did it take you to lose your 40 lbs before? You should use that as a benchmark for losing your weight this time, and give yourself a bit of leeway for your ups and downs.

Are you doing anything drastically different this time vs. the last time you lost weight?

Your measurements are the best indicator of your progress, so don't worry too much if the scale is all over the place. If you're doing things right your measurements will continue to shrink!

Good luck!