Happy Birthday to Me - From Morbidly Obese to Healthy (Pics)

Well, I was debating whether or not to post yet because I am not at my goal but I am getting so close. But many of my MFP friends told me I should be celebrating and share it with everyone. Today I turned 36 and gave myself the best present a girl could ask for...I am in a healthy bmi range for the first time in my adult life. Last March (2012) I was weighing in at a hefty 280lbs and on my 5'5" frame was considered morbidly obese and as of today, I weigh 148lbs and am in a healthy BMI weight range. I still have 18lbs left to lose to meet my goal but the light is getting so gosh darn bright at the end of this tunnel, I may need to put on some sunglasses.

What makes this sweeter for me is that I had a rough start to the year and gained about 13lbs throughout January and February but buckled back down in March because I was not going to slip back into my old clothes and in April started my 2013 !0 Week Reboot Challenge and have dropped 20lbs so far (7 pounds more than I gained). I could have given up but I didn't. And you know what helped besides all the wonderful friends here and people inspirational stories? Not having fat clothes to slide back into; I had been getting rid of all my fat clothes along the way and when my skirt gave me muffin top I knew I had to get my act together because I was not buying new big clothes, no way!!! So purge those closets as you go, ladies and gents.

I'm going to keep this short and just post some pictures now and the rest of my story I will save for when I finally reach my goal...only 18lbs to go (it still feels weird to say that). Oh, and the other gift I got myself for my birthday, a little black dress because every woman needs one, lol!

Starting weight: 280lbs (March 1, 2012)
Current weight: 148lbs (May 13, 2013)
Loss so far: 132lbs
Goal weight: 130lbs
Height: 5'5"
Age: 36

Picture on the Left 280lbs (January 2006) and Picture on the Right 148lbs (today)