Why I do this

Today, I'll leave Nashville and head west to St. Louis to meet my new baby niece! My sister had her on Wednesday so when I get her in my arms tonight she'll be just 2 days old. <3

Zoe Drew - 6 lbs 13 oz, 21.5 inches long

When I first started on a path to lose weight back in 2008, I enrolled in a 4-month long weight management class. There was a lot of focus during our weekly sessions surrounding "why" we wanted to lose weight. The psychologist who worked with the group pushed us to give reasons more than "I want to be skinny/look good."

My #1 reason at the time, and still is, my niece - who was just 8 months old at the time. I wanted to be the fun aunt, the active aunt. The aunt that could run, chase, play on the floor and have fun with my niece, and eventually my own children.

My niece Madelyn. Now 3 1/2 years old and a proud big sister.

There are other reasons, of course, but those two little girls are one of the main reasons I've been successful in improving my health over the last 2 1/2 years. I haven't always been as focused, but I'd like to think I've had some success in living up to my promise to be the fun, active aunt.