One year down, 98 pounds lost!!!

CountryLady47

Congrats, wtg!!

Gena_Beana

Amazing! Great Job!!

eickhoff19

What an inspirational story! Congrats on your weight loss!

besaro

right on!

lore622

Amazing inspirational and sensational! Congratulations

Kirstie155

You look fantastic! Great job

Hipchick0805

faithan84 wrote: »

Okay everyone... Sorry not sorry for the upcoming long post. My turn to brag on myself a bit.

Today marks the one year anniversary of my health journey. Who better to celebrate with than you all?

This time last year I weighed around 250 pounds. Today I weigh 152!!!!!! It took only 2 months for the first 50 to come off, and it's been a longer 10 months with some ups and downs for the other 48. I still have 7 pounds to go to be in the "healthy" bmi range, and about 22 to go to reach my ultimate goal weight. I am totally a different person now. I can no longer use "I'm too fat and lazy" as a valid excuse. I can call myself a "runner" now (albeit reluctantly). I've gone from not being able to run for more than 10 seconds or so to being able to run 40 minutes at a time! I went from a women's size 18-20 jeans to.... get this.... I just bought a pair of size 6!!! skinny jeans! I went from eating fast food 3-4 times EVERY day to eating "sticks and leaves" (according to my great aunt) now and really enjoy the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. I now see time off as opportunity to exercise more, and walking doesn't feel like exercise anymore. I've stuck to my food plan so long that those around me know and understand what I'm doing, support me, and have even started making changes in their diets. I have loose skin around my torso (as most other places)... but I still do jumping jacks in the middle of the gym without embarrassment. I feel like I've earned my place at the gym, and no longer stare at the floor to avoid eye contact with those around me. Shopping for clothes is now FUN! ("Maybe a little too much fun," says my wallet.) I sleep better, I'm generally more comfortable doing anything (sitting, standing, walking, bending, etc), I have more energy, a more positive outlook on life, more confidence, more positive self talk, and stronger determination. This is seriously the longest project I've worked on successfully and consistently since school... and it's something I feel like I can continue the rest of my life. And now pictures.









So it's totally not fair to have a seated bathing suit picture as a "before" compared with a standing and clothed "after", but this picture in particular means something to me. One of the breakthroughs that needed to happen in order to start my journey was being able to accept and love myself as I am (was) today (then). When I looked at this picture last Fall, the first thing I saw wasn't my big arms, big tummy, double chins, or laughable use of a shaping undergarment under my suit. The first thing I saw was my smile. I was truly happy the day that picture was taken, and for the first time, that was the most important thing about the picture. My happiness was beautiful to me, and I can still smile at that picture. I was happy then, and I'm happy now. Now I just have different healthy habits and a body that allows me to keep up with them.

Thank you for reading and letting me brag a bit. I'm super proud/shocked/amazed at my success so far, and I wanted to share!

Incredible! You look fabulous! Thank you for your testimony as it encourages me to keep on track.congratulations!!!!
How many calories per day did you intake at first?

simpleisbetter

You look great!

Clobern80

Congratulations! You look awesome. Hopefully someday I will post my own success story.

fat2strongbeth

Congrats! You should be proud of all your hard work.

faithan84

Hipchick0805 wrote: »

Incredible! You look fabulous! Thank you for your testimony as it encourages me to keep on track.congratulations!!!!
How many calories per day did you intake at first?

I didn't count calories the first couple of months. I followed the Food Addicts Anonymous Food Plan, which is strict on what/how much/when you eat. When I started counting, I was staying around 1200-1500.

orchidee1987

Happy for you ! Congrats !

111grace

MampyNoMore

Just the sort of post I needed to see today. Congrats! You're a superstar!

godlikepoetyes

Gorgeous pics, after AND Before!

verptwerp

Murphles1210

you are amazing and deserve to be proud!

lildebbie121

Fantastic job! Thank you for sharing!

alyssagb1

Great job!! Looking good!

Vodka97

I needed this today. You look amazing! Congratulations

nvmomketo

Wow! Amazing job!

tjames30

Fantastic!!!

woznube7

You should be so proud of yourself!! Keep up the great work!!

poirshe

You are such an inspiration! Thank you Thank you Thank you for sharing! and you should be damn proud to brag. I am so happy you did. You have inspired me to work hard and keep going. Cheers and Congratulations to you!