I have been a dieter all my life. I never really liked to exercise because I felt it was boring, too time consuming and I hated to sweat. When I began my quest for a better life, I had been in a horribly abusive relationship for 15 1/2 years, my weight had blown up to 224 pounds, I was having lots of back pain, pain in my feet, feeling depressed, lethargic and moody. It was at that time that I went in for a yearly exam and was told my triglycerides were out of control as well as my cholesterol. I was diagnosed then as being pre-diabetic and the word "obese" was used to describe me.

It all really hit home for me as my mother, who was my best friend, died at the very young age of 57 leaving me in the world without a parent and my 5 children without a grandparent. My mother, Paula aka Pinky Jean was a smoker, compulsive eater, never worked out until the near end of her life and spent the majority of her life in a constant state of stress and chaos. Pinky Jean was diagnosed with type II diabetes, congestive heart failure, COPD and blood clots and had suffered several mild heart attacks. I had been following in my mother's footsteps but in the wrong areas of her life. I have 2 grandchildren and I want to stay active and happy and watch them grow and to be able to be there for them when they need me.

I love working out as it helps me to push myself to stay in shape and maintain good physical health. My overall attitude about life is more positive and a really good, difficult, work out helps me to focus on my self in many ways. Some of my most inspirational ideas happen when I am working out hard! My mind becomes focused on my life, goals and accomplishments when I am pushing through the routine. Bodybuilding provides me with a sense of power and strength that I do not get with my legal knowledge but with it all combined I feel like... I AM WOMAN HEAR ME ROAR!