I started when I stepped on the scale on 9/11/2011. I was absolutely disgusted with what I had become and how awful I felt. I wanted to make a commitment to myself and made a pledge that I would lose 34.3 lbs in the next year (343 representing the number of firefighters who died on 9/11). I knew that I had to dedicate myself to a new way of life and not just have this be some "fad"!

--