Here's how I lost 115 pounds

I salute your journey !! Awesome job. Our 'statistics' (well your beginning stats) are a mirror image of mine with the height exception. I am just into my third week and can only hope that I will have the success you are having.
I might have missed the question if it was asked but what was your daily calorie intake (if you remember) when you were starting off ? Did you go by MFP or did you go by your own rules ? In addition to your cardio did you do any type of strength training ?
Sorry for all the questions but reading about your life change has me quite encouraged !!

Thanks! I never logged my calorie intake when I was dropping the weight. If I were to gues I would think I was right under 2,000 a day. I never did any strength training in the first 4 months. I didn't join a real gym until I was down 80 pounds. Once we joined a gym though I started taking a strength class 1-2 times a week. I recommend combining strength training with what ever other exercise you are doing. The stronger you are the less likely injuries will pop up and slow your progress down. The more muscles you have also helps burn calories throughout the day. I also started doing a protein shake after strength training. There is a misconception that whey protein will make you big and bulky but I found that it helped produce lean muscle and toned me. When I started I was around a 56" chest, today I am right around a "41 chest.

Good luck, if I can help out let me know.

Man, that's great! I wish I'd been taking daily photos over the past few months but I had my driver's licence photo retaken back in Feb '13 and my head looked like a giant meatball, so that's something. I can use that as an example of my starting point (that photo was a big factor in my rock bottom/breaking point). I'm totally going to start the daily photos tonight.

I did my first 5k last month and had to walk a good portion of it due to horrible, horrible instant blisters. I'll definitely do more in the future with the hope of running the entire thing/improving my time. Congrats on it all, it must feel great to be a healthy example for your kids!

Thanks, you should look into the Galloway run-walk-run method. By alternating short intervals of walking and running many folks can actually finish faster and fresher than if they run the entire thing. I started with :30 run and then :45 of walking but over time worked up to a 3:1 minute walk/run ratio. After my half I decided to push it back to a :30/:30 ratio and was able to run faster times compared to my 3/1.

As for the blisters you might have luck with a product called body glide. I have used it on my feet for LNG runs on hot days and it works well.

Good luck, you can do it.

Very amazing! You worked very hard for this. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story.

Thanks!