I'm 36, married, and have three children... ages 5, 7, and 17. We live in Raleigh NC, where I'm a stay-at-home mom, with my own little cottage industry. I'm originally from Kansas... the land of OZ, gravy on everything, and coconut cream pie for every holiday. My husband is a soldier and is also in college full time. He's in top physical form of course. My youngest boy is short, but proportional. My daughter is tall and skinny (as I was as a youngster). My big boy is BIG. At 17 he's 6'3" and 325lbs. His "biodad" is from a big family as well.. the poor kid gets it from both sides!

I'm motivated to make it work THIS TIME because I have the opportunity this summer to attend a month long yoga teacher training. While I practice yoga regularly, my body is its own limitation. There is too much of me in the way!

I come from a line of large Russian women. Sturdy boxy heavy women. Women who had big families and gained a little more weight with every child. My great grandmother was round, and died at 65. My grandmother was round, diabetic, and died at 64. My mother is 60, round, and has high blood pressure and COPD. I am 36, round, and in constant pain with a separated pelvis and other bone and joint problems. My hormones are completely out of whack and I have zero energy.