The benefits and rewards of weightloss-- 179 lbs 'lost' and more gained...

bobbijodmb

The photo on the left was me in 2008. I was living life but I wasn't really living. I thought I was, but I didn't know then what I know now. I didn't realize how much change was possible. My goal was never to get where I am now. My goal then? To lose enough weight that I didn't have to buy a bigger size clothing. I didn't think I could do what I have done. I didn't think skinny was ever a possiblity for me, so I never tried.

I have struggled with weight issues most of my life and until about 2006 I never even tried to do anything different. Everyone in my family had weight issues, so it was just something I accepted. 2006 I worked out a little and got a little healthier, but still overweight.

Then I was in a car accident, and gained a lot of weight in a short period of time, I couldn't continue my exercise regiment (which I started to slack on) and I was pretty upset/depressed. Once my doctor cleared me to work out in the Fall of 2008- I made a decision to make a whole lifestyle change and I have not looked back since.

I started small- elliptical, water aerobics, curves, walking, etc. And over the last year I managed to run 5 half marathons. In November 2013 I couldn't even run for 2 minutes without stopping and now I am training for a full marathon this May. I would have never thought that I would be running, let alone running a marathon.

I remember years of watching the biggest loser, and seeing myself slowly being bigger and bigger than the contestants when they would first get to the ranch. I remember seeing them doing marathons, being like um no never. And now that is me. I run 4-5 days a week and I love it.

I look at that I lost 179 lbs over the last 6 years but I have gained so much more:
*I am now in control of my health-- it is not in control of me
*I am the most active that I have ever been and love trying new things (hence my 2015 goals are to run a full marathon and do a tough mudder)
*I have met so many great people through this journey who have also struggled and have been great supports
*Smaller clothes which means I can pack more when I go on trips
*and a sense of happiness that I have never felt before- being 100% ok with my body and its imperfections. But knowing that I am the person I am today because I fought hard over the years.

I couldn't have done this overnight and there were many times I wanted to give up. I made mistakes, learned from them and kept going. I wish I would have started this journey earlier in my life.

My biggest advice is don't see this as a temporary journey. This is life- I go by the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time, I make the best decisions for my body with food options but I allow myself 20% to enjoy something as a treat and I never feel deprived.

Keep up the motivation. I read this year that most people will only keep their weightloss/workout resoution for 2 weeks. So I figured I would post something to help motivate people to keep with it, even and especially when it gets hard. Set goals and work hard

Trukngrl

Wow!!! Congrats. You can tell in your smile in the before what a beautiful person was waiting to get free. So impressive and motivational. Thank you for sharing. Keep up the amazing work

makaylao

wow! congratulations! very impressive and inspiring...

JenNicole11

Amazing story....amazing job! Congratulations!! You look fabulous!

trackercasey76

Incredible!

lindzgayle

Bravo! You look fantastic, and you have done such a wonderful job of keeping a healthy attitude about your weight loss as well.
Good luck on your marathon and tough mudder!

bri_chr_kha

Absolutely awesome! You look fabulous.... thank you for the inspiration and good luck on your tough mudder!

kecmw25

Amazing story, thanks for sharing!! You're an inspiration

believeinme0430

Wow!!! You look amazing!! Thank you for sharing your story it is very motivating to keep going!

radiosilents

Thank you so much for sharing – what an amazing accomplishment! You look and sound fantastic. I hope to be in your place in another couple years myself – still have about 150 pounds to go, but I will get there! Reading stories like this really helps me!

Djrundle13

Thanks for sharing! I really get motivated reading about everyones stories and helps me realize I can do it too! Lots of bumps in the road and it's not going to be overnight but I will get there!!! Thank you!!!

Boobietrap1337

Wow. Thank you for the inspiration! I'm going to keep this in mind whenever I feel discouraged. (Like this morning! I didn't lose any weight, but I did maintain.) You look a lot like Rose Tyler from Doctor Who! I love it

snowflake930

Heartfelt congratulations on your hard work paying off.
Amazing accomplishment!
You are a true inspiration!

brenn24179

wow what a difference, very inspiring. what is your height and weight now? Was this your first time at losing the weight. You look so good.

bobbijodmb

brenn24179 wrote: »

wow what a difference, very inspiring. what is your height and weight now? Was this your first time at losing the weight. You look so good.

I am 5'5 and weigh 165 now. Thanks! THis post made me laugh, because most of my life if someone asked me my weight i would have cringed lol

Bookaholic88

You look Fantastic, at least 10 years younger. Congrats!

Phaedra2014

F A B U L O U S! You must be so proud of yourself!

fitphoenix

Congratulations! You look happy and healthy. Best of luck on your marathon.

lee134

You are inspiration to everyone! Thank you

millermkarate

Exceptional story and really inspirational! Congratulations and good luck with the training for the marathon!

alltheweigh170

What an inspiration! You look fantastic

49Elle

Thankyou for sharing, just an inspiration to see your transformation.

maryjboom

"I go by the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time, I make the best decisions for my body with food options but I allow myself 20% to enjoy something as a treat and I never feel deprived."

"Keep up the motivation. I read this year that most people will only keep their weightloss/workout resoution for 2 weeks. So I figured I would post something to help motivate people to keep with it, even and especially when it gets hard. Set goals and work hard "

You look wonderful!
Thank you for the motivation. I have started once again on the journey to be healthy and hope this time I have the strength and motivation to not let anything get in my way.

maryjboom

Boobietrap1337 wrote: »

You look a lot like Rose Tyler from Doctor Who! I love it

So agree with that!

berto23

You look fabulous..................

bobbijodmb

thanks everyone

cindys921

Amazing loss!

Jules050576

Very inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing. Well done!!

klkarlen

Thank you for sharing your inspirational story! You did a great job!

JenniferIsLosingIt

Fantastic loss! So amazingly motivating! I am currently at 95 lbs lost and I am looking forward to being able to run (it still really hurts my knees!!) I am working on my endurance with the elliptical.
Anyways thank you for your inspirational post!!

sandown12