Here it is, 1 year on MFP

I started out on MFP a year ago, with a significant amount of weight to lose. 15 years of crappy eating, a sedentary lifestyle, and an undiagnosed thyroid disorder had left me at 298 lbs (I’m 5’3” tall). Though I wasn’t unhappy in my life, I knew that I was missing out, and my weight bothered me both physically and emotionally. Once my thyroid was managed, it gave me the push and the energy level to try, yet again, to get myself under control. Though I was fortunate and hadn’t had any major health issues crop up, I knew that at 39 years old, it was only a matter of time. I did not want to leave my husband a widower, or be in the position of him having to care for me, which would be difficult for him to manage if I weighed any where near the 300 lbs that I did at that point.

It shocked me when the weight began to come off once I started tracking my food intake. A couple of weeks in, I started to add in exercise. My fitness level was pathetic, I could maybe walk a couple of blocks (agonizingly slowly) before getting winded. We bought me a recumbent stationary bike. With the resistance set at its lowest setting, I could go for about 5 minutes before I had to take a rest. Gradually, the time in between rests got shorter and my total time increased. Within a couple of months I added in the elliptical, and felt like I was going to keel over after a few minutes. But, I kept pushing. Throughout the summer I went on ever longer hikes, choosing ones with hills to climb. On a lark, I added in running and lifting. I’m not going to lie, running was tough. I did C25K, and wore my HRM just to assure myself that I was not, in fact, on the verge of death after 30 seconds of running.

In the past year, here is what I’ve accomplished: I have lost almost 70 lbs., I went from barely able to walk for more than 3 blocks to trail running for over an hour, I started out in October squatting my bodyweight to squatting 170 lbs and deadlifting 185 lbs. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.

To those starting out, my advice to you is to take your time. Don't starve yourself, take a maintenance break now and then (I'm on one right now). Give yourself many areas in which to see success, strength train early. I can tell that when I get down to where I want to be (size wise), I am going to be thrilled with my body and with what it can do. I’ll be able to climb ropes, scale mountains, and run for miles. The adventures that I’m going to be able to go on will be amazing. Just watch me do it.

October 2011, close to 300lbs. Size 28-30





Today, May 11, 2013. Size 18




And dead lifting, just to brag about the big plates being on that bar.


Thank you to all of the badasses on my FL, you keep me coming back and show me what is possible with time and a whole lot of hard work.