So, ultimate goal reached! Lots of Progress Pics

Way to go! This is amazing! Im so happy you're proud of yourself because you should be for sure! I tried reading through all of the posts and I may have missed it, but what workout program did you follow? Or did you make your own?

When I first decided to get into shape, I was pretty much unable to exercise because I was too heavy and was getting VERY tired in a few minutes. I wasn't getting anything accomplished because I was winded in no time.

Besides walking, I didn't start exercising until I was about 45 lbs down. My wife and I went out and bought an Elliptical machine, stuck it in a spare room, and I used that primarily as my sole planned exercise for a few months. I then bought a set of resistance bands and a mat and starting working out in my living room in the mornings before work in addition to the elliptical a few times a week.

When I hit about 220 lbs or so, I started going to the gym and working out harder than I had in the past. I started out a couple times a week and now I go four times a week (M, T, Th, F). I use the treadmill and hit the weights as hard as I can. I made up my own routine which I still follow to this day. It's nothing super hardcore but I feel great afterwards and I can see results, so I know I'm doing okay.

As for food ... well, that's a different story.

When I started out, I was like everyone else who suddenly decides they want to lose weight and had absolutely no idea what to do. So, what's the first thing that pops into my head? Eat less food. Well, I started out by cutting out all of the nasty stuff I would shove into my face.

Let me take a minute here to clarify what I used to eat and what I mean by cutting out the crap. I would go to McDonald's for lunch and get a 20-piece nuggets, two double cheeseburgers or Big Macs, two orders of fries and maybe a couple apple pies. Or I would go to Taco Bell and get a box of tacos, a couple of chalupas, or burritos, and some nachos. Maybe some KFC for a 10-piece FAMILY meal and finish that off over lunch and dinner. Hot wings? Don't even get me started! 50 wings, a dozen mozz sticks, and maybe a half tray of pizza for dinner. A half gallon of ice cream watching a couple football games.

So, I stopped all that. Like I said, I wasn't educated so I started out by eating much less than normal and although I was hungry by the end of the day, I thought that was normal so I continued on. When I discovered MFP, I did a lot of reading about how there were so many people in the same boat as I was and how they learned to listen to what their body needed. I took some great advice and set calorie, fat, etc goals for myself based on my BMR, TDEE, etc.

I began feeding my body healthier foods, I started cooking at home MOST of the time, and ate only ingredients I was able to see, count, and log. I found substitutes for the foods I loved (even ice cream! I love Skinny Cow stuff now!) and began fitting them into my day. The more I understood to stay within my limits, the more of my beloved food I was able to slip in there. I would eat two slices of pizza instead of six. A dozen wings vs. 50. Fresh chicken breasts vs. fried KFC. Fruit, vegetables, lots of liquids.

I am now getting more settled in my routine and now that I understand what I want and need, I have been able to go back to eating many of the foods I did before, only in a MUCH smaller volume and I enjoy them just as much.

I will always know I am addicted to food and although I managed to get myself into better shape, I understand that every day will be a little battle against that. Can I eat 50 wings and 6 slices of pizza tonight? Sure I can. Will I? You can bet I won't. I will constantly think about what I was like over the last 15 years and that will motivate me.

Although I know the pressure of food will push me now and again, I feel now that I am strong enough to push back.