I am a single mother of 5 and have been single raising my children since 1999. I have had two short relationships since my husband abandoned us in southern Missouri since, but the last boyfriend i have had was 6 years ago. i have focused on helping my children become postivie and productive.. Raising children singly leaves little time for muych else. But I studied music particularly piano and was very athletic in college, I was competivie in running, tennis, swimming and biking. I am very concerned about diet and health and try to make most meals served a healthy expressions of my passion for cooking.

i have had an athletic incident and sseveral other accidents that are leaving me with arthritis and constant back and knee pain. I would like to adapt more exercise that is not painful back into my daily routine and I am ready to start the 17 day diet challenge. with my daughter who has a weight problem. my daughter's weight problem is probably thyroid related beacuse she has been diagnosed with having an over abundance of estrogen.

I am hoping to lose weight and feel better but also to inspire her to life a healthy life where she chooses healthy foods and makes exercise part of her lifestyle. I have to be the example in order for her to feel the need to succeed.