The difference a year can make

cincysweetheart · April 2015

On April 20, 2014, I joined a gym and went shopping for some healthier foods. It was a small step. But it was the first step I made once I chose to lose weight. I count that day as the beginning of my weight loss. I also took a photo… just a selfie in the mirror of my bedroom… as a "before" shot.

So, now it's a year later. The gym is now a place I belong. It's a place I'm comfortable at. I'm one of the "regulars." The healthier foods are now the staple of my grocery list. Those packaged/boxed foods that I once lived on have long ago expired on the shelves of my cupboards. Some I throw away…. some I try to pawn off on my roommate.
A year ago when I would wake up and get ready to go to the gym I would get strange looks from my roommate…"where are you going?" and "Why are you awake so early? Are you sick?" Today when I get up and and get ready to go workout I get asked "So, is it a gym day or a running day?"
A year ago when I would travel, I would throw some chips and a bunch of candy and snack cakes into a plastic bag for snacks. And stop and get a Dr. Pepper for the road. Today my snacks are loaded up in a cooler and consists of apples, strawberries, green peppers, and celery. All cut up for convenience. And instead of stopping for a Dr. Pepper, I just fill up my water bottle before I leave the house.
A year ago, I had to buy all of my clothes online, because no stores carried sizes large enough to fit me… even the plus-sized stores wouldn't fit me. Today I buy clothes wherever I see cute ones I like. And the plus sized stores still don't fit me. But now it's because they are all too big.
A year ago, the majority of my money was spent on food. Today it's on clothes.
A year ago I had never even heard of MFP. Today I've got 2 of my sisters and at least one niece on it… all of whom joined because they have seen how well it's worked for me.
A year ago I would dream of vacations to places with great food or great scrapbooking stores. Today I dream of vacations to places with great races to run.
A year ago, I went walking with my sisters at a slow to moderate pace… we were just enjoying the fresh air. My sister had forgotten her stroller, so we drug out my dad's old wheelchair and strapped her baby into it so we could push him in it. I was so worn out that by the time we reached the point where we turned around (about a mile), my sister was pushing me in the wheelchair while I held my nephew on my lap. Today, running 4 miles doesn't even phase me.
A year ago when I would offer my opinion on how to lose weight, I would get the eye roll. I could tell exactly what they were thinking. "Yeah, right. Like I'm gonna take advice from HER!" Today, I get asked how to do it.
A year ago I weighed 381 pounds. Today I weigh 218.

These two pictures were taken exactly a year apart.

sy8s · April 2015

Awesome job!!

Alatariel75 · April 2015

Oh my goodness! What a wonderful job you've done! And you look so happy

Congrats!

onedaybeforethenext · April 2015

Absolutely Fantastic! A great commitment to yourself.

drjulieann2 · April 2015

Thank you for the inspiration!

amsterz615 · April 2015

You are such an inspiration!! You have done so well, and look at how happy you are! Congratulations on your success!

Skinny625 · April 2015

You look amazing! What an inspiration.

Sarahndipity30 · April 2015

I needed to see this today. THANK YOU. I loved how you wrote everything out.. because it is so true what a year can do for you when you really dedicate yourself. You look amazing. Congrats and all the best in your future fitness endeavors!

thin1dayplease · April 2015

You are an inspiration! Congratulations on your achievement. You have done AMAZING!

lavrn03 · April 2015

I bookmarked your thread so I can read it when I need a reminder.
So much you said I can relate to. It is so nice to hear someone else tell it. Inspirational!!!!

BancroftLady · April 2015

Congratulations!! Very inspiring..

lrob87 · April 2015

I never comment on these things ... but WOW! You are an inspiration, and I love the write-up too. I feel like you have a memoir in you just waiting to be written. Gives me the motivation to keep on plugging away. Congratulations!

annekka · April 2015

Congratulations on what you have achieved! Keep up the good work!

MissMissle · April 2015

thats awesome

LKArgh · April 2015

Amazing change!

muzichick · April 2015

Fantastic!! What a wonderful change!!

efrensgirl2015 · April 2015

FABULOUS

jellybeanhed313 · April 2015

Great job! Your hard work has paid off big time!!

Eaglesfanintn · April 2015

That's outstanding! Congratulations!

monkeypantz · April 2015

Awesome, very motivational and such a lovely story! Congratulations

kimkay1985 · April 2015

Great job! Congratulations!

JanuaryGingersnap · April 2015

Thank you for this! We are so similar, even the same starting weight, and reading your post has made me so happy and inspired me! BE PROUD - You're amazing!!

rosielko · April 2015

Just what i needed to see today thank you! :-)

1HappyRedhead · April 2015

YAY you!! Thank you for sharing!

retrdartist · April 2015

Thank You,,,, thank you for posting... I am in the beginning stages of weight loss. It has only been a little over a week.. you know how it is at that point....what's the use.........then I see your post and it is very encouraging.. because of back issues , I cannot go to the gym BUT I can do the pool. so I am off to the pool .. THANK YOU AGAIN ,,, you give me great hope... have a blessed day . being retired there is so much opportunity to eat but there is also opportunity to prepare proper meals.....