500 Days on MFP - 86 pounds lost - pic heavy!

Wow, I went to bed last night only to wake up to 4 more PAGES of comments! I am floored by the outpouring of well-wishes. You guys are all amazing!!!! Thank you so much!!

Let's see....to answer a few questions:

I lost 63 pounds between May and December 2011, and the other 23 have come off slowly from January to now (2012). I am nowhere near as dedicated to my 'diet' - a term I use to mean my dietary intake, NOT a weight loss method - and although I have had less weight loss success this year, and could have met my goal weight of 135 four or five-fold by now, I feel that I've found a good balance in my life. It's almost as if I've been eating/exercising as if I've MET my goal already, and since I'm still seeing results, color me a happy camper!

That being said, at the beginning, I stuck to my 1200 cals/day rigorously. I exercised 3 - 4 times a week, mostly cardio ( I love the elliptical) and a bit of strength training. Nothing special at all. I increased my time on the elliptical as I became more able and now I typically spend at least an hour on the elliptical and then move on to strength training. Although, I have to say, I'm not as into strength training, so I don't do it as much as I should. Now, however, I am lucky if I get myself to the gym once a week, and I rarely stay below 1700 cals throughout the week (some days are 1200, others are 2000 - I go by the weekly average). I have changed my eating habits, though, so instead of 2300 cals of sugar and fat, now I get those extra cals from cheese, fruits, veggies, yogurt, etc. I'm still trying to address my overeating and my stress eating, and it's a difficult process.

I do indulge - more often now than before - when I go to visit family and friends, I don't log, and if I want cake or cookies, I have cake or cookies. When my husband and I go out for dinner, which is not too often, I don't necessarily limit myself to what's 'good for me.' However, I do LOG EVERYTHING (with the exception of those visits). I keep my food diary private and feel as though this allows me to be more honest about what I eat since I'm the only one who sees it. But that's just me.

I've found a good balance for myself and I'm thrilled to be 22 pounds away from my goal weight. I've changed my life, so I don't think I'll ever go back!

Thanks again for all your support!!

--Dawn