5 Year Success Story - Before & After

1grammie

Congratulations! Great job. I'm sure your story will have a ripple effect and touch and inspire lives, many of which you will never know.

Savyna

Your story hit home with me because I've dealt with issues with alcohol and would drink as you described (just not caring if I was dead after a night of taking shot after shot), so far it has been nearly 2 months since I had a drink and a month and a half since a smoke. Your post is very inspiring to me and I hope to have as much success as you have had. Keep up the good work and thank you for sharing.

TurtleRunnerNC

What a wonderful story. Congratulations on getting your life back!

MrsRobertson1005

What an amazing story! Congratulations on your sobriety and quitting smoking! How amazing and on top of all of that you got fit. Beyond inspirational!

bsktlvr

A truly great and inspirational story. God Bless You

maab_connor

first off: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! five years is awesome!

thank you so much for sharing your story. for your honesty. and for all of the hard work that proves to everyone else that this can be done.

weight gain in recovery is so common. we need something, a new addiction i guess, to take up the space of the old habits. funny how running never seems to be at the top of that list. LOL.

you should be proud of yourself. you have come so far. YAY on you!

txbabe1964

I have no other words other than........WOW. :noway:

rower75

Life is truly worth living. My late husband was an alcoholic and a heavy smoker. His years of abuse took their toll on him in 2004 when his short 52 years of life ended with cirrhosis of the liver. The last year of his life he was in and out of the hospital and I took to chain smoking - 2 plus packs a day. After his death, I quit smoking and have been smoke free for 7 years. Never thought I would ever do that. I am about 15 pounds overweight and my goal now is to get healthy again.

Please keep up the good work and stay sober and smoke free - your life depends on it!

mill1295

Fantastic. I am so happy for you! :flowerforyou:

mleoni092708

That is a truly incredible and inspiring story. I'm glad you shared it with us. Just goes to show, no matter how bad things get, you can always come back.

xnattiex

That brought tears to my eyes! You are amazing and a true inspiration, thank you for sharing your story!

TinaVanHoecke

Good for you! You look very healthy and happy. Enjoy your life.

mayberry310

You truly are an inspiration. I'm sure your wife and daughter are over the moon that you found your way back to them. BRAVO on ALL your hard work! It definitely shows.

Clara

Thank you for sharing that! Amazing!

deeannhill

Thanks for taking the time to share your story. Praise God you are LIVING the life He has gifted to you!

andrejjorje

Fantastic story. I'm really happy about your success. A real inspiration for all of us.

BobbyDaniel

Dude...you have just reached HERO status here, and that doesn't happen often!

avonchik

Thank you for sharing your story. You are an inspiration to us all. Im so glad you found MFP!! I know you will run many more Marathons and not be "dead last or dead Second to the last"!!:bigsmile: :bigsmile: :bigsmile:

saarek

Such an inspirational story, thank you so much for sharing!

silvergurl518

so, soooooo proud of you!!!!! i need to friend you! i'm 4.5 years sober myself and loving every minute of my new life!!!!

AnninStPaul

Thank you for taking the time to share your story. Congratulations on conquering your demons so life can be LIVED!!

YES!! Congratulations!

SeaChele77

Wow!!!! I don't reply much- but your story, your committment, your inspiration, your dedication, your triumph.....totally deserves a reply - CONGRATULATIONS!! You are amazing - enjoy your new healthy active life!!

april522

That is such an incredible story and so touching. It's wonderful to hear such success stories as these!

taragorman

I got goose bumps from your story. Such an inspiration! You are AWESOME!

lbigham1

Incredible and inspiring! - You've certainly brightened my morning! Way to take back your life!

lavaflow99

Thanks for sharing you amazing story and thanks for choosing life!! Congrats!!

jenvens

What an amazing story! You are proof that this can be done! Congrats!

LoriInIowa

Here's to MANY more healthy years! Thanks for sharing.

lorib75

If I would have read this at home instead of at work, I would have openly wept! The strength and dedication it took for you to pull yourself up out of that pit is nothing short of a miracle! God was surely looking out for you. You don't mention your wife again after the beginning, but I'm hoping she is still in your life. What a wonderful story!
Thank you so much for sharing!!

linda_mae3

WOW! You gave me goosebumps! I don't even know you and I am so proud of you for all you have done! You are truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing your story.