I am a middle school science teacher. I love science, being outdoors, running, swimming, hiking, body pump class, and EATING! During the school year I always pack on pounds. It's so easy to munch when I am feeling tired and still have work to finish at 10 o'clock at night! Plus, being inside from 7:45 until 4:30 everyday decreases my activity level (even though I never stop moving).

It's important to me to be fit enough to do the things I love.

So this summer my middle son will graduate from LA Tech University with honors! We are all going on a cruise to celebrate his accomplishment. His brothers, his grandfather, grandmother, aunt, uncle, cousin, me, and my ex-husband and his girlfriend.

Needless to say I am just a little anxious about the company. I know the ship is big, but I also know my sons will want all of us to be together - at least part of the time. Talk about incentive to lose that winter weight and get fit!

I've joined a weekly kickstarter Dietbet and I'm using a diet app that lets me track my calories and exercise. Hopefully I can stay motivated and be successful. I'm trying to set reasonable goals for myself.

I would love to hear from other people about their fitness journeys and any successful strategies you have used!