91 pound weight loss (with pics!)

JeanneTops

I joined MFP on my 58th birthday in Dec 2009. I weighed 242.5 pounds. By August 2011, I was at a healthy BMI of 154 pounds. In 2012 I took up running and a year ago weighed 144 pounds. Then I developed plantar faschitis, quit running, took up weight training and stationary rowing. Now I weigh 152 pounds and I'm in the best shape of my life for the second year in a row.

This was my post of two years ago of how I did it:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/314505-success-before-sixty

This was my post of last year on what I didn't do:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/707622-how-i-did-not-lose-98-pounds

And this is my blog post of pictures from as far back as when I was 11 years old:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/JeanneTops/view/official-135794

I'm posting here especially to say to those of you who have a lot of weight to lose, who have lost and regained it over and over again and/or who are worried that you're too old to do it again.

You can do it but you have to believe in yourself. I didn't believe I could do it when I started but I did think I could do it for one day. So I focused on just today and I've been focusing on just today ever since.

After two years, I'm just starting to learn what maintenance means. I've had my problems this year: my foot problem, my mother's illness, a couple of major bingeing episodes and some great vacations. I haven't gone over a healthy BMI because I have a great support group here to whom I could confess the eating problems, who inspired me to find new exercise routines, who care enough to listen and whom I care about and with whom I want to be honest.

Now I'm learning that I have to work on my own self-image. I worked hard to stop seeing myself as a fat person, now I have to work hard as seeing myself as someone who always eats responsibly - through vacations, celebrations, trips, injuries and assorted stressful times. I still log everything I eat, I still weigh myself daily, I probably always will. That's ok because, as I've said elsewhere, it's a small price to pay to feel as good, and as good about myself, as I do now.

Here's just my face from my Dec. 2009 birthday and today:




Remember: just take it one day at a time.

Best of luck to you all,
Jeanne

Craigels44

Great Job!!!

Ivey05131980

WTG...you look great!!

stevesgirl824

WOW!!! You look awesome!

Healthydiner65

Awesome dedication and determination and you look beautiful.

oreyna

Awesome!!! May you continue to be blessed with a great health....Way to go!!!

emmawoolf84

So inspiring. Its never too late! You look truly truly wonderful!

stresstour

Way to go!!!

smfh

bump

smfh

You are so inspiring. Way to go!

3laine75

amazing job and you look nowhere near your age in any of the pics btw

sasbw27

You're a rock star :drinker:

jameejune

I'm feeling pretty crappy today about where I'm at and my lack of motivation. I got on MFP just to try to find something to motivate me and I found your post. Thanks so much for posting your story. I guess I just have to get off my butt and keep working.

cindyj7

You look amazing! You have definitely inspired me today - thank you. :flowerforyou:

elliejellie333

Amazing! well done!

salmat77

WOW you are awesome, congrats on your amazing success. Thanks for sharing your story!!

tasharock

Congrats on your continued success!

tlou5

You look great! Thanks for sharing- these always inspire me. May I ask how tall you are?

mushroomsontoast

Fantastic - you look great, and a good 15 years less than your age! Well done :flowerforyou:

JeanneTops

You look great! Thanks for sharing- these always inspire me. May I ask how tall you are?

5'6" I shouldn't forget to put that in because I always want to know other people's heights.

J.

melfitnesspal13

As a 50 something myself I've heard how difficult it is to lose weight after menopause. Granted, it isn't like it was when I was in my 20's and I WISH I would have maintained the weight I have lost over the years but I am not finding it too terribly difficult right now. Maybe I am just more disciplined? Maybe it is because I have wonderful support group and coach, thanks Robin! I am losing much slower but in the end it is the progress that counts. One day at a time. Congrats on your fantastic achievement!!!......

boatsie77

Great job...great story! Thanks for sharing and giving inspiration and hope.

I took my final run at a healthy lifestyle at the age of 57 and 236lbs (5'8")...at age 58 I reached goal and am 4mths2wks into maintenance. Thank you for blazing the trail into long-term maintenance for us Mature Goddesses and reporting back.

I'm employing a strategy of using fitness goals to maintain the healthy lifestyle I've accomplished up to this point. I've been walking 5K Races and have signed up (and training) for a 1/2 marathon in Nov (walk, but maybe occasionally slow jog some). I'm concerned about developing plantar fascitis and would like to know what happened to you in that respect--can you provide a link to that area in your blog or post?

Keep maintaining...you look amazing!!

norahwynn

awesome!

kimika23

You're beautiful! Thanks for sharing your story!

RunningForeverMama

Excellent job!

miqisha

Congrats on a job well done!!!! You look great!!!!!

oDDnySS

Awesome weight loss! Well done!!!!

rhondaec

You look great!!!

I have plantar faschitis also! It's not fun!

Rays_Wife

Thank you for sharing your story. I went back and read all your past threads and WOW. Your story is one of the most helpful, insightful and inspirational story I have ever read on here. Congrats on your success, and thank you so much for sharing your words of wisdom. You really helped me today :flowerforyou:

pscott822

You are an inspiration! :drinker:

Cedarwren

bump