I have been overweight my entire life.  I tell people that I started out 10lb. 7 oz. and kept growing.  I don't remember being below 160lb. or less than a size 16 (and this was in high school).  Then in college I gained the freshman 20 instead of the freshman 10.  After being married for about 3 years we started trying for kids which put on another 20.  Pragnancy took me to 250 but then I lost 25 afterward.  Another pregnancy and I was up to 250 again but then lost the 25.  The past three years have been great but stressful.  I am a teacher and have in the past three year gained National Board Certification and a Master's degree (in fact, this just came in the mail today!!!) along with those extra 25 lbs.  So here I am back at 250 and not happy.  I figured now that my professional life is in order it's time to work on me personally.  I want to be healthier for my husband and kids.  I want to want to do things with them.  I want my girls to look at me and be proud that I am just like their friends' moms.  But I also want to know that I can go into any store I want without fear of the store clerks looking at me like I didn't belong and pull something off the rack and walk in the dressing room with it and have it actually fit.  I just think the feeling that comes with trying something on that doesn't have a W behind the size will be amazing.