Growing up I never had a problem with my weight. I've never been refered to the "big girl," or "pleasantly plump." I was always a healthy weight and involved in lots of activities: dancing, cheerleading, gymnastics, baton twirling. Yes, I was very much a girlie-girl.

But once I stopped moving, the weight came on! I been struggeling with my weight ever since I graduated from college. I even had to lose weight to be eligible to join the Navy. That was my first eye-opener ...

Growing up I never had a problem with my weight. I've never been refered to the "big girl," or "pleasantly plump." I was always a healthy weight and involved in lots of activities: dancing, cheerleading, gymnastics, baton twirling. Yes, I was very much a girlie-girl.

But once I stopped moving, the weight came on! I been struggeling with my weight ever since I graduated from college. I even had to lose weight to be eligible to join the Navy. That was my first eye-opener regarding being an unhealthy weight. But I did it and I'm currently a U.S. Naval Officer, wife, and mother of two adorable boys.

Throughout the years, I've expanded and contracted more times than I can count and my wardrobe is HUGE, and not in a good way. I have waaaay too many uniforms because I just can't maintain a healthy weight. And I certainly can't fit into the uniforms that were issued to me at Officer Candidate School in 1999! Life at sea is not very conducive to losing weight, especially for someone that NEEDS to keep moving and counting calories.

Then I started having babies....

When I got pregnant with my first son (2009), I weighed 162 lbs, ~8lbs over the navy standard for my height (Ideal weight for me is 125-140, but my body likes to hover around 150). I gained 75lbs and never lost it all. When I got pregnant with my second (2011), I weighed 173 lbs, ~19lbs over navy standards. I gained 50lbs despite being on a 2000 calorie diet prescribed by the Navy Dietician.

When I think about all the places I've been in the world, and all of my major llife moments I can recall my weight. I know I weighed 135 when I graduated high school, was 140 all through college; 165 after college graduation; 147 the day I started Officer Candidate School and 137 the day I was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy; 172 the first day I joined Weight Watchers (November 2003); 167 the day I left for my first long deployment and 144 the day I returned; 139 the day I left San Diego to drive cross country to Rhode Island (2004); 153 the day I married my husband (2006); 170 the day I graduated from Department Head school (2007); 163 the day I found out I was pregnant with my first son (2008); 237 the day I brought him home (2009); 172 the day I found out I was pregnant with my second son (2011); 222 2 days before giving birth (2012); 202 the day I restarted my current weight loss journey (April 2012).

In August 2012, I started to get nervous about my impending Physical Fitness Test - the first one I'd be required to do after having my son. I was still 30lbs away from standards and I needed to get there quickly. That's when I met my my personal trainer, Justin Mulligan, from Rawmana Fitness. I really wasn't looking for a PT, but everything happends for a reason.

Justin was eager to take on the challenge - because he KNEW that I could meet my goal. He put me on a low carb diet and rigerous exercise plan. IT WORKED! In November, I was able to pass my PFA with flying colors. Not to mention, I got to my original pre-pregnancy weight from my first pregnancy only 8 months after my second!!!

I'm still working with Justin to get to my ultimate goal of 135.

Read More About ARMARTIN527 (Updated February 18)