Melissa Hohenkerk, 31
BODY HISTORY In school I was athletic – tae kwon do, basketball, volleyball – and didn't worry about my weight. After my second son was born two years ago, I went up to 230 pounds. I never thought of myself as overweight. Then my doctor told me that my blood pressure was high. I was in denial.
EXERCISE ROUTINE Three days a week, I do cardio in the morning, usually 30 minutes on the elliptical, and then lift weights if I have time. But even with all this working out, I'm not losing weight.
WHAT I EAT My mom lives with us and she cooks the meals on weeknights. She's old school, so every meal has rice or potatoes or bread, and she still fills my plate as though I'm pregnant. I know I don't have to finish it, but most of the time I end up eating it all. After dinner, I relax in front of the TV and eat the snacks that are supposed to be for the kids, like Rice Krispies squares and Timbits.
STUMBLING BLOCK Definitely bingeing at night. I also have a thyroid problem that slows my metabolism.
TIME CRUNCH None, really. My mother's fine to look after the kids if I want to go for a jog when I get home, but I'm usually too tired.
ULTIMATE GOAL I'd like to be around 140 pounds. Right now I'm aiming to lose the first 10 because I need motivation.
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