55 lbs lost...in 4 years (Pic heavy)

So this post is more to serve as a motivator for myself as I've seemed to reach a plateau with my weight-loss, yet again, and I'm hoping some visual recognition will get my scales moving in the right direction again. (Along with recommitting to the gym and healthy food choices, of course!)

Here's my story:
I've battled my weight since elementary school and managed to keep control of it until college through the use of yoga, tae-bo, and weight watchers. However, freshman year away at college with no meal plan and a very limited budget led me to late nights of pizza, wings, and burgers, as well as LOTS of packaged/processed foods. I can't remember eating anything that resembled a vegetable my freshman year. I began 2004 around 180lbs, but after 4 years of intense classes, rehearsals, multiple jobs, and lots of extra-curricular activities, I found myself at graduation toppling the scales somewhere around 270lbs. (Please note, a 90-lbs difference in 4 years...YIKES)

April 2008 - College graduation ~270lbs



Moved home after graduation and after 6 months of self-loathing, I joined a gym and dug out my dusty weight-watchers materials. I was struggling with depression and finding a job wasn't helping the matter, so I knew joining WW again wasn't a option. I stumbled upon My Fitness Pal, and started logging in October of 2008. By the summer of 2009, I was down to 230lbs and was feeling great.

Then, weight-loss came to a staggering halt when I began applications for graduate schools and was working 60-70 hours a week to pay for all of the applications, flights, lessons, fees, etc. I managed to maintain this weight until I moved to Colorado in August of 2010. Upon moving to Colorado, I lost another 10 lbs my first semester, but after a difficult breakup, I found myself stressed and lonely, and by summer of 2011, I had gained 20# back.



So, back on track for the gazillionth time. I finished my Master's Degree in May 2012 and was solidly weighing in around 235lbs. Once I settled in to two new jobs, I joined a local gym and focused on eating healthy again. I've lost about 22lbs since then and cannot seem to get below 212lbs. So...here are my most recent pictures from the holidays.




There ya have it folks, my weight-loss journey over the past 4 years...and still counting. I have a LOT on my plate in the next 6 months, including a huge opera performance and being Maid-of-Honor in a giant wedding for my best friend. I want to feel comfortable in my skin, and while I notice the differences in pictures, I don't see it in the mirror any more. Here's to a fresh start in the morning and to always dusting ourselves off and moving on in the direction of our dreams.

Thank you, MFP-ers. Without your posts, thoughts, struggles, and successes I never would have gotten this far. Let's hope I get these last 60lbs off in less than 4 years!