We all have one thing in common. We all are or were fat and we all want to improve our health via weight loss. Maybe it's the band, the sleeve, bypass or a "traditional" weight loss method, but no matter our choices we want to be thinner and healthier.

I would guess that most of us have defined ourselves by our body size in the past and some still are in the present.

We are so much more than that! Tell me something about YOU that makes you special.

I started training in martial arts with my two daughters almost four years ago. I am passionate about women's self defense and I wanted my girls to be confident that they could take care of themselves if there was ever a need.

The three of us are testing for our second degree black belts and instructor licenses in July! I am so proud of them and ME!

I am a twin

Well, I am smart with an amazing memory, except I FORGOT both of those things for a few years, I have lost enough weight now that I went job hunting and landed at a school bus garage where I am studying my CDLS Class B with a passenger endorsement, in 4 days I finished all the book work and took the 100 question exam, now on to my permit. I worked at a nursing home in my 20's and Had every patient but ones medications memorized, I would only look at their medication chart for changes. The one I couldn't remember literally took about 50 pills daily it was crazy. I am also bubbly when I feel better on my job interview he scored it, I peeked on personality, I got a 10 out of 10.

I am almost always positive. And I am crazy determined. When I make up my mind to do something I go at it until I do.

I went to college when I was 14!

At 45 years old, I decided I wanted a career change so I went to school to become a Realtor. One of the best decisions I ever made! I have been very successful, and I love being my own boss

I also love animals, and I volunteer at a local shelter.

I am a twin

I'm also a twin!

I am a strong, independent, self-sufficient, intelligent single female who put herself through college, owns a successful business, has a loving family, great friends and has always supported and taken care of herself no matter what size!

And if that isn't enough, I have pets that make me feel loved and super special every day.

I left an abusive, drug addicted, regularly cheating husband, who said he wasn't attracted to me because I was overweight. I had no job skills and two children. Now 20 plus years later I have a decent job, own my own home, and am so much happier. And the weight loss this time is just for me.

I have an uncanny ability to transform any song into a parody of whatever I feel like it. Off the top of my head. Sometimes they happen so quickly I don't recall what I said. I just know whoever was around to witness was one lucky SOB.

I can sing very well. I can harmonize with any song. I can cook. I make most every meal without a recipe for my family. I've only bombed maybe twice in my life. I intuitively know how to mix flavors and textures. Got that from my dad who was neither overweight nor a chef. I'm a very convincing salesperson. People say I can sale ice to an Eskimo. Thinking about a career change lol. I'm logical, funny, smart and attention deficient. I'm also a very good writer with a pretty impressive lexicon. Great thread.

I have a beautiful garden which I can't wait to see again (it's somewhere under all that snow), I make art, write and have only recently rediscovered that I can really tear it up on the dance floor.

I am a strong determined survivor. I also have had an abusive ex husband, left him no job skills two little kids and set on my own overweight to protect myself and hating men. I entered nursing school, worked like crazy and raised my children healing along the way physically. I eventually began dating my current husband and of course married, he adopted my children and all my issues. Thru the years [been 17 now] I now married, awesome husband and life, my masters in nursing, beautiful home and grandchildren, and now healed the emotional side of the history and using this tool to get back control of everything. I just keep surviving in a determined path of happiness.

I love everything about what y'all said!!

Truthfully, I don't think of myself as special. But, if I have to come up with something, I'm very proud of the daughters I've raised and I like to think that being their mother has contributed to the really wonderful, special people they are. I also have a master's degree in nursing, and while I don't provide hands-on care anymore, I do think the work I do in nursing informatics impacts patients and nurses across the country in a positive way.