I am a Clinical Social Worker working with severe and persistently mentally ill young adults (imagine having 20 highly hormonal teenagers running around all day, every day). I love my job but the stress caused me to eat like crazy. I gained 40 pounds in two years, topping out at 270 in January, 2009.

I am an avid hiker and love kayaking. There is a state park adjacent to my property and I hike it as much as possible. I recently rediscovered bicycling and absolutely love it. I am working up to being able to commute to work every day.

I have three goals...First: Lose enough weight that I can fit into my kayak relatively easily (I need to weigh about 215lbs.), Second: Get in shape so that I can bike up Mount Washington for the Newton's Revenge Road Race in 2011, Third: Complete a multi-day sea kayaking excursion (kayak out to an island, camp overnight, and kayak back the next day). I'm looking forward to a healthy and happy life!