Halfway there! (52 lbs down.)

ReclaimingSarah · February 2012

Hi. This is my first time posting, because honestly it took getting to the halfway mark to get me excited enough to speak up.

Here's my story:
I'd tried diets, diet pills, diet shakes, etc...in the past with no success. Then, one day in September 2010, I woke up and decided that if I didn't shape up, I was going to die. (My family has a long history of obesity & basically every horrible thing related to obesity ie.diabetes, heart disease, etc.) So, that day, I started counting calories. I've never had a super strict work-out policy, but I have enjoyed walking/running when my schedule allows. Due to a lot of personal stress, I fell off the wagon from December 2010-April 2011, so in all, I've been working on this for about a year.

My starting weight was 243 lbs with only 5'5" of height. My BMI was 40.4, which fell into the "Morbidly Obese" category.
Today, I'm at 191 with a 31.8 BMI (Just "obese" now!) Technically, I'm 2 lbs lower than my 1/2 way goal, but they came off in a package deal. (I only weigh in on Friday mornings, otherwise I just make myself crazy since my weight tends to fluctuate wildly depending on the time of day or the pull of the moon or what-have-you.)

I usually read everyone else's Success Stories on my lunch break at work, and I am glad that I can finally contribute one of my own!

Before:

Now:

Thanks for reading!
-Sarah

ReclaimingSarah · February 2012

Nm- let me fix the pictures and try again... LOL. I'm a newbie, can you tell?

bignick21 · February 2012

That's awesome. You have done so well I went down a similar path on and off diets and I know how hard it can be sometimes to keep on track. Keep it up and I hope it keeps getting better for you

ReclaimingSarah · February 2012

That's awesome. You have done so well I went down a similar path on and off diets and I know how hard it can be sometimes to keep on track. Keep it up and I hope it keeps getting better for you

Thanks so much!

determinedbutlazy · February 2012

Well done, you look great!

airmay1 · February 2012

Congratulations! Keep up great job!!

ReclaimingSarah · February 2012

Well done, you look great!

Thank you! I love your name, BTW! :laugh:

edisonswifey · February 2012

Way to go!

Thanks for sharing. I love the motivation these success stories get me. Keep up the great work!!!!

Normalg · February 2012

Way to go, that's awesome. I started at 321 but am down to 193 so It's awesome to see your picture because now I can think of myself smaller than my mind does. Thanks for Posting and I'm your same journey now. I thought 155 was ideal for me so I have 38 to go. Wish me luck!! Thanks Norma

ignatiusreilly · February 2012

Looking great! Keep it up!

mscoco10 · February 2012

You go girl. Never give up and keep up the great work.

nicolarodda1 · February 2012

Awwww! Well done! You look fab!

lisaslim1976 · February 2012

Well done...thats amazin! You must be very proud of yourself :-)

kiminikimkim · February 2012

Good Job! You look great!

kaetmarie · February 2012

excellent progress! i can't wait to be where you are!!!

AZnewme · February 2012

That wonderful smile of yours says it sll - you look wonderful! congratulations!

SexyCook · February 2012

You look great!

horsemadami · February 2012

Wow, you have done fantastic...well done :-)
I have 70 pounds, (sorry 69 pounds as I had a weight in today

) and its great to read of other peoples success, its a great motivation!
Very well done to you again.

ReclaimingSarah · February 2012

Way to go, that's awesome. I started at 321 but am down to 193 so It's awesome to see your picture because now I can think of myself smaller than my mind does. Thanks for Posting and I'm your same journey now. I thought 155 was ideal for me so I have 38 to go. Wish me luck!! Thanks Norma

Thanks to everyone!! @normalg- I struggle with my mental picture of myself vs. what I actually look like. Seeing everyone else's pictures helps me keep my mental image in check, also! :happy:

brandyosu · February 2012

Way to go, Sarah! You look wonderful - keep up the good work!

ReclaimingSarah · February 2012

Way to go, Sarah! You look wonderful - keep up the good work!

Thanks Brandy! BTW- I looked at your profile and your quote is seriously one of the reasons I started to lose weight. I really did feel like a frumpy great aunt. :laugh: