My 1 year progress- 45 lbs lost

I officially started my weight loss journey/life style change one year ago. I have always been a little on the heavy side but it was manageable in high school while I played sports year round. Once college started and for the next 7 years, I gain on average 7 pounds a year to put me at my highest weight 186 lbs. I’m 5’3 on a good day so that is a lot of weight for me to carry around. There were several events in 2011 and 2012 that finally made me see that I had to something or it was only going to get worse, some reasons were:
- Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 at age of 45 (she is currently cancer free now)
- Dad had a noncancerous tumor removed in 2012 at age of 47
- My brother graduate from high school in May 2012, I hated how I looked in all his pictures
- I could tell my boyfriend of 9 years at the time was concerned but didn't know how to bring it up, therefore our relationship was very shaky last year. I slept a lot, I was never in a good mood, we never spent time with each other when it was there.
- I went to huge scenario paintball game that was over a few square miles in May 2012, I only made it 3-4 hours the first day before giving up and sitting out the rest of the weekend. My body just couldn't do it. I love the game of paintball, I felt embarrassed and I felt like I let my whole team down.

In June of 2012, my girlfriend was talking about a site call MFP. She had joined and told me about it. I decided on Sunday, June 17th that I had had enough and wanted a change. I had all the resources available to me, I just needed to do it. I ordered a few Jillian Michael’s DVD, I went through the kitchen and tossed sweets, and I started walking over lunch with a coworker. Slowly my life started to change….

My original goal was to lose only 20 lbs but I kept increasing my weight loss goal by more each time I hit it. What keeps me motivated was setting small rewards for myself when I hit each 5lb lost. For example I did horseback riding, laser tag, pedicure, new workout outfit, massage, new purse, etc. When I hit my final goal, my boyfriend and I are getting professional pictures done.

Now I am happy to say that I have lost 45 since joining MFP and 53 lbs overall. I weigh less than I did in high school my senior year. I have had the greatest support from my mom (who has lost 40 lbs), dad, boyfriend, and friends. Working out and eating right is a part of my life and who I am today. I made a life change, I am not dieting, I use portion control. I do have my days and occasions where I indulge but I am able to keep on track. My relationship with the boyfriend is better than ever! We do so much more now that I am comfortable with how I look (I never wanted to go anywhere because I felt that people judged me). I bought my first swimsuit in 8 years.

I ran a half marathon in May. I am signed up for another in October. I plan on doing a full marathon in 2014. I want to take advantage of all those crazy obstacles courses/races to see what I can do. Not only do I look different but I feel like a completely different person. I have more confidence and courage. My boyfriend says I look happier and smile a lot more. I have decided I want to live my life, I don’t want to let it go by without trying experiencing new things.

I am not at my goal weight…yet. I have another 8 lbs to lose. I know I will get there in time. I wanted to share my progress with everyone, I wish you all the best of luck in your journey. If you need a friend to help you along the way feel free to add me A BIG shout out to all my MFP friends who have supported me along the way, you guys kept me on track!