Heidijoy

I am most often called: Firestarter, Idea vending machine, writer (journalist, novelist), mom. I live in Portland, Oregon and lead corporate communications for a global professional services firm.

My professor/fisherman hubby & I have been married five years and have two amazing kiddos: Drew, age 4.5, is the most energetic boy ever. Audrey, 20 months, is the happiest girl.

I have avoided a true commitment to weight loss until now--the two times I lost 20 lbs were lifestyle changes that had me walking a lot more. The few times I dieted never lasted, and were never combined with major exercise. BUT despite all this, I have a healthy and happy relationship with food. I love to cook and eat healthy, but I also love baking and eating simple carbs.

I watched my weight creep up from 140 in college to 170 five years later, to 185 at age 30, 205 after my first child and as high as 225 after my second at age 35. That was a huge low for me, weighing the same as my not-small hubby. So on April 25, 2012 I resolved to change this permanently. I refuse to do a fad diet, pills, expensive programs or prepackaged foods. I am eating the way I want to be able to eat my whole life. I am just going to record everything I eat, exercise daily always looking to increase a little bit, and aim to have the difference between calories consumed and energy burned be a net of -1000 kcal/ day.

So far, it is working! I would like to add more buddies on FS if you'd like to team up and get to our goals!