Down 109 lbs in a year (first pics ever)

My story in a nutshell is (yes I'm picturing Mike Meyers in a tiny nutshell now..lol) ... I grew up the eldest of four girls, alcoholic & extremely abusive father, mother struggling to stay sane (doing her yoyo dieting). I learned young to give not take, stay out of everyone's way, you don't deserve love and you're never going to be pretty. Also, dad can't hurt you while we're eating dinner. After going through rough childhood, I married young and that too was challenging. But we got through it successfully and he's now my best friend. Since then I fought for the courts to hold our abuser responsible...and won! My husband and I adopted second child through Child Protective Services and it was so rewarding to give him a happier childhood - in some ways righting the wrongs I had lived through. My eldest son and him are best of friends. Yet I was extremely overweight and suddenly terrified that my life that was becoming worth living was going to be cut short by my own bad habits. In one year I was able to change everything I think/do with food and lose 109 pounds. I still see myself as a large and unattractive woman....but from what I've read, it takes a long time for the mind to catch up with the body. I now don't mind shopping for clothes, and I only regret the fact that it took me this long to take care of myself. Now if only there was an exercise for lifting boobs! hahahaa!!! I love staying busy/active and I often gasp when I'm folding clothes because my jeans are so small and my sweaters are cute...it's just that this Texas girl has always been the biggest in the group. Until now.

Anyway, I'm about 35 lbs from my goal weight. My health is so much better, my energy is incredible, I lost a lot of hair but it's now growing back (from what I read that's common with weight loss ???), and I don't avoid activities for fear I'll be unable to or too embarrassed to try. I'm always going long after my boys (now teens) have run out of energy. lol

I did have a couple friendships strained for my changes. I still don't understand that. It hurts, but maybe they weren't true friends then? One actually said, "I know you've lost a lot of weight, and I'm happy for you, but you need to know that I liked you better before." I just wonder why anyone would like someone better with a high risk of diabetes and heart problems?!? Oh well, the majority of my friends are happy for me, my husband feels like he has a new wife, my house is always clean (it works off calories! lol) and my true friends say they've never seen me more vibrant and happy.

So here's my embarrassing pics...I'm incredibly NOT photogenic. But ya'll have posted some unbelievably up-building pics for me to see all this year and I'm just flabbergasted by the courage and want to thank you all and MFP. This bought years on my life....a life I'm glad to live now that I've thrown away my scars from abuse and mistreatment and am embracing the truth - that I am worth saving.

Luv to all.

my last and most inspiring 'fat pic'



109 pounds less