113 lbs lost in 18 months - Thank you Mean People!

GiveMeCoffee

I still have some weight to lose, and other goals to meet so I can make new goals. But today I finally felt like I was a success!

113 lbs lost in 18 months, my health has improved more than I ever thought was possible. I started with 14 prescriptions daily, I know take 5. The month before I started I couldn't complete 1 minute of a 6 minute walk for a pulmonary function test, I can now run 6 miles. Now running isn't my favorite thing to do, but I found I absolutely love biking and my longest ride so far is 58 miles. I also found a love for lifting, it's given me confidence and proven to me I am strong mentally and physically.

And I've done this with still being able to eat my ice cream that I love, baking one of my favorite things to do, and just enjoying life because life is too short.

Here's where I started this picture was taken the day after I was released from the hospital after my 4th week long stay of the year, this time it was where I spent Christmas, but it's also where I decided I am important and I am worth fighting for.. I knew what I wanted to do but didn't know how to do it...



I wrote this blog the other day and felt it was a good way to sum up my success...

While reading yet another mean people thread today, yes I know another one a friend made a response about there's always another mean people threading popping up but very few thank you threads ever created and she's right.
I've sent a few messages to some of the people that without knowing it helped me, I haven't personally thanked everyone, but I do owe so many thank yous and figured I should do that here.

I was a lurker on the forums, watching and reading what people that had lost the weight I was hoping to lose, had changed their lives were doing. When I started I had no clue, I thought I did hell I've dieted all my life, but no I really had no idea what I was doing. So I watched and okay maybe even stalked a few (they don't know so it's okay) to learn. I wanted to accomplish what they had.

Eat all the foods you enjoy just smaller amounts - Moderation (took time and trial and error but I did learn this)
Get a food scale to learn portions - One of the best investments I ever made - My tablespoon of peanut butter was 2 to 3 servings easy before.

Start strength training - Taught me I am stronger than I ever thought

Find something you enjoy doing and repeat - Biking my favorite thing to do now can't believe this some days. But this morning when I was feeling stressed all I wanted to do was go for a long bike ride which I did and it felt wonderful.
Really could it be that simple?

I learned from so many people on MFP, most of you will never know how much I owe to you, some people have deactivated by now and I can never thank them, others and this is a huge shame have been banned from the forums because they didn't hold any punches and gave real advice not some sugar coated crap.

But to all of you that day in and day out offer your time, help and assistance to people you don't even know I want to thank you. So whenever you think you are wasting your time posting because the OP probably won't take the advice anyway, remember there is always someone lurking that will.

As most of blog posts I have too many thoughts running through my head, and I am not a writer but if you get nothing else from this... before reading a response in the forums and immediately think someone is being mean to you, stop and just listen to what's being said as the person is really just trying to help and Thank them!



So I would like to thank each of you that take the time to help because without you I don't know what would have happened. Oh and picture taking is worse than my writing but you get the idea.

Edited because I forgot to add this wonderful picture of dessert last night... you can lose weight eating delicious food!

_HeartsOnFire_

I couldn't decide on just one...

_Zardoz_

You're just an inspiration and it's been a pleasure to watch you and read your Diary!!

trinatrina1984

Wow amazing work well done!!

vickiem74

You are fantastic! Such a motivating story. Congrats on learning and achieving
!:flowerforyou:

GiveMeCoffee

I couldn't decide on just one...

GiveMeCoffee

You're just an inspiration and it's been a pleasure to watch you and read your Diary!!

D thanks for being someone I can vent too, shake our heads at some of the craziness together and I still want a blueberry cupcake dammit!

sinker59

Wow, great job by you!

amethyst7986

Congrats on your wonderful accomplishment. Hard work and dedication sure does pay off.

tjmahoney

I rarely get to read blogs since I'm on my iPhone most of the time, not a computer...but not today. This was an incredibly insightful post; to take the best out of what is delivered in a less than ideal way. Well, that's the nice way to say it. More important is what YOU have done and yes, YOU ARE IMPORTANT and what you've done is fantastic! Kudos to you!

gypsy_spirit

I love hearing your story! You are truly an amazing woman. It makes me happy like a room full of puppies! Keep up the good work. :flowerforyou:

Rockstar_JILL

You have had a major, wonderful life change!! You are such an inspiration!! Keep up the fabulous work!!! You look fabulous!!!

Galatea_Stone

:drinker:

Now, this is inspirational!! Great work, OP.

jbouthiette

A terrific outcome so far, you looks years younger. Keep up the good work! You are inspiring.

anissa333

Good job and you look younger which is ALWAYS an added plus!

KaterinaTerese

Cheers to the Meanies! I am also a major lurker and love to see success stories like this; means all those haters are right and makes me happy I'm following their advice! :drinker:

THECaptainObvious

I am so proud of you!! You are such an inspiration and you really do look younger! AMAZING!!

dogwhisperette

Great job and thank you so much for posting your story. We all need to see more stories like this and it certainly inspired me this morning. Thank you! Keep up the great work!

RINat612

Amazing transformation! :drinker:

123losinforme

You are gorgeous inside and out, thank you for sharing your story. Also, showing that yummy dessert.. it's so much easier living life than restricting it...thank you:bigsmile:

TRIX5884

amazing job! Great work!

snowflake954

I would just like to say ---- good for you! Thanks for sticking up for the "meanies". I started about when you did and lots are gone, for strikes etc. Many of them had good information included in their "meanness". There is too much whining some days, so thanks for balancing it out. I always say there are alot of lurkers out there--I was one of them at first. Sooner or later it's time to come out of the woodwork and help someone else. Congratulations again OP. :drinker:

slimbettie

love love love love love this story! you are so awesome!!!

Pusarah

Fantastic!! How inspiring...you look beautiful, so glad all your hard work has payed off and your fitness and health has improved and you're down by such a tremendous amount on the meds! woo. Good luck for the last bit you want to lose. Cheers!

Cranquistador

:drinker:

gypsy_spirit

Your dessert recipes are drool worthy. I read your caramel/nutter butter ice cream recipe out loud to hubby yesterday - and we both had a moment!

Cryptonomnomicon

StonesUnturned

Thanks for posting. You're amazing! You might have gotten some advice from people in the forums, but all the effort and the willingness to learn through trial and error was all you. Congratulations on your well-deserved success.

George_Baileys_Ghost

ihad

:drinker:

Congrats!

I do enjoy your blogs.

wanda9501

Thanks, I needed this!