I'm guilty (of a lot) but stay focused on staying in shape is one of my worst things. When I was young I never had to worry about it because I was always skinny and at times I guess I was considered underweight. But either way I got used to not having to work for it because I was single and a lot of free time to go line dancing or roller skating.

After I got married I went up in weight fairly quickly and I totally lost it and was totally unhappy but yet I did nothing about it. I was working at a dog kennel and I lost about 20 pounds or so and went to a more manageable weight but not back down into the low 100's. I got pregnant and put on a lot of weight and after my son was born I was working out on the elliptical machine a few times a day and I was down to a size 8 (which was very nice for me).

Basically, I have struggled with my weight since I was 21 years old and have fluctuated between 95 pounds (pre-marriage) and I topped out at 150 (after two kids and six years of marriage). Right now I sit around 136-140 pounds and still not liking it.

I'm trying to keep myself motivated but finding it very hard. I joined a gym a year ago and I liked it and then they did some internal house cleaning and my trainers were either fired or sent to a different location. I got a new trainer but every time I had an appointment he would blow me off. So after all of that I quit going to the gym. While that was going on we were in the process of moving (among other things) and then I miscarried and I was devastated for quite some time.

It's been over six months and I'm slowly getting back on the health wagon. I have a few goals (that I have yet to do):

• Be up by 5:30 am.
• Run on the elliptical machine for 45 minutes.
• Do an hour of yoga.
• Get more work done throughout the day from all of this.

I don't think those goals are too ridiculous. That's one thing I have found is to set realistic goals, if not then you will fail before you even start. As you reach your goals then set a little higher one.

Since we got rid of the TV we eat healthier (but we can always do better). A few things that I have found really taste good and it's good for you. I'm hooked on Garden Burgers (both soy burgers and the veggie burger) and I love Morningstar products. They have really good chicken patties and burgers too. They can be a little pricey but I think it's worth it. I try to fix vegetables twice a day with meals and let the kids snack on an apple or something sometimes (I'm not a big fan of letting kids snack). Also, don't go to the grocery store when you're hungry, you'll buy more junk food than healthy food.

Once in a while I mess up and I'll eat a bag of microwave popcorn or if someone brings over a cake I'll snack on it. I'm trying to buy a nice air popper because at least then there won't be as many calories in it. I have stopped drinking all espresso (both the canned and from coffee houses) and started drinking healthy teas. Right now I'm hooked on White Tea Orange Blossom from The Republic of Tea.

I try to drink a few glasses a day of that because it's good, it's all natural and it has low caffeine (I don't know if it's ok to drink while pregnant or nursing so please talk to your doctor before trying anything new).

I try to set a time each day to run on the elliptical machine and do my yoga. It hasn't worked these last few days but I did well last week. What I do is run on the elliptical machine for about 20 minutes and then do my yoga abs and regular yoga afterward. I try to do my regular yoga twice a day to help stretch me out. I really do love doing yoga and would rather take a class to be around other people but it can be expensive and I don't have sitters during the day.

Like I said, I am a work in progress. My goal for now is to lose 20 pounds before the end of June for my girlfriend's wedding. If I can get to that, then my goal is to make sure I don't gain it all back again and just to maintain.

I mess up a lot. For instance, yesterday I watched my neighbor's son and she bring me over a small plate of cake. Instead of throwing it away I ate it and beat myself up. You will mess up too, when you do just deal with it and work harder to not do it again. Try to keep busy so you don't snack. Before I got rid of the TV that's all I did was snack, now if I want to eat something I grab and apple or an orange out of my fruit bowl and eat that.

I also have found out that while my husband is away, I do better with exercise and eating. I feel bad saying that because I love my husband and would rather have him here than in LA. When you find what works for you, stick with it. If after a while it gets hard, change it up. I have found that I get really bored using the elliptical machine here in the house but I know that I would look pretty funny outside running, plus I don't need a sitter when I do it here and I can do it anytime day or night.