When do you decide...

That you're succeeding? When do you decide to post here? Under SUCCESS STORIES? I've thought about it but always thought I was being a bit silly. So...I never do...until now. I'm fairly certain that I can say I'm succeeding.

I have had many NSVs and many BASVs (Big *kitten* Scale Victory) as well.

I started out walking around the block at lunchtime. I now do an hour on the treadmill almost every day of the week and I do 30 minutes on the elliptical in the morning at least a few times a week.

I started out with a BMI of 45.1 (in September, 2011) and have a BMI of 29.9 as of this morning. I've gone from Morbidly Obese to Overweight. I have NEVER been overweight.

My thighs no longer rub together. Pantyhose are multiple use...not disposable. The friction from my thighs rubbing is no longer a forest fire threat!

I've gone from walking 5Ks to walking/jogging them in intervals working on my time with the intention of one day running one from start to finish.

I've gone from shopping at the Avenue and Catherine's (being too big for Lane Bryant) to picking up clothes off the rack and at least having an idea that it'll fit. I went into Dress Barn and went to the Women's side only to have the woman tell me that I was in the wrong part of the store. Clearly she didn't see me. Poor thing needed new glasses.

I've gone from dreading going out and doing things because it involved moving...to making plans to go out with my children to the zoo and amusement parks as often as we can because I absolutely love being active and doing new things.

I've gone from not being able to ride roller coasters at all...to being able to ride in any damn seat that I want. I don't even need the "modified" ones.

I've gone from eating multiple servings of desserts to being addicted to my salad and the wonderful Caesar vinaigrette that we found at BJs.

I've gone from avoiding mirrors at all costs to actually looking at myself and admiring my hard work!

I've gone from being down on myself to actually being proud and loving myself. I have never loved myself. I didn't even like myself.

I've gone from being 30.25 pounds and dreading stepping on the scale to being 202.6 pounds and being excited with each new goal I achieve.

Most importantly...My confidence has improved by leaps and bounds.

I've gone from walking while looking down at the ground so I didn't see the disapproving and downright disgusted looks...to walking with my head held high and a huge smile on my face because I've worked my *kitten* off to achieve where I'm at now.

I've gone from walking behind the people I'm out with (husband, family, friends) because I was ashamed for them to have to be with me. To making sure that I was walking next to them because I was there with them and they chose to be with me.

I still have a ways to go. I have weight to lose. I have goals to achieve. I have ONEderland literally right around the corner. But I'm sure I will reach each and every one. Failure is not an option. I will continue to improve my eating habits. I will continue to log my food. I will continue to exercise and log it. I will continue to train to run. I will conquer a 5K. Maybe I'll even go on from there to a 10K or something. Who knows. All I know is that I am capable of doing anything that I want. I will do whatever I want. I will push myself to continue to improve.

I'm thankful for my husband and son and the rest of my family. I'm thankful for my friends. I'm thankful for my MFPeeps. Without these people I wouldn't be here.

I'm nowhere near my goal. But I can safely say that I know I'm succeeding! I'm kicking butt! I'm rocking this whole healthy lifestyle thing!

I'M SUCCEEDING!!! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: