Okay, Where do I start.

35 year old wife and mother . Been with my partner for almost 8 years and we have a 2 year old son.

I have always had self esteem and weight issues, but them became increasingly worse as I got older.

My turning point was in August 2012 when I became sick. I noticed I started to crave sweets and costantly started emotional eating.

Oneday i wa at work and I lost my eye sight and started to have chest pains (I never told my wife this ). Bu it really scared me, I went to the doctor they ran a lot of tests. The nurse called me and put me on this strict diet. But as we do, I did not follow it.

Well, my blood pressure started to become increasingly high every day 160/75. I also, began to have sugar fits ;meaning I needed sugar all of the time. I was already on blood pressure medicine, metaphormin to help control my glucose levels but I knew something was wrong.

On January 25,2013 I decided to take my life back and change my complete diet and started to exercise.

Went to the doctor to get tested and I was 6.3 from being diabetic (you only need to be 6.5) scared the crap out of me and I never looked back at being unhealthy again.

I started off slow with my exercising:

First 30 days - I did Kendra Kimberly 10 minute, 15 minute walk program.

60 Days - I became a complete gym rat. Cardio, Cardio, Cardio. I would ride stationary bike for 30 minutes everyda. Plus a lot of strength training as well, I was literally at the gym 3 hours a session 6 days a week.

90 Days- Gym- I did elliptical machine 40 minutes, walk treadmill 20 minutes, bike stationary 20 minutes. Plus strength train for 30 minutes a day. 6 days a week.

Until one day I said I want to buy a bike I was almost out of my first 90 days.

120 Days to now- I bought a mountain bike. y first ride 4 miles 40 minutes lol. I was so excited.
Then on my mountain bike I got up to 20 miles 2 hours 30 minutes.

I cycled 5 times a week for 15 miles a day plus the gym. Gym time went to about an 1 hour and half 3 days a week.

I changed to a hybrid bike but was not satisfied.

So I bought a rode bike.

Today I am doing Power 90 and Jillian 30 day shred and I ride 4 days a week.

I am able to ride my bike 15-20 miles 4 days a week in 1 hour 30 minutes.

Let me tell you I couldn't even walk up a flight of stairs and I am cycling and interval training.

I actually love my body now.

I want to lose 35 more pounds and I am loving pushing my body to the limit.

I still work out 6 days week and rest on the 7th. I watch everything I put in my mouth plus have my cheat days from time to time.

Thanks you to my MFP family for inspiration.

And thank you to my wife for taking this journey with me, together we have lost 91 lbs.

I started out at 261.9 January 25, 2013

Today I am 200.2 lbs.

I am so very happy


267 lbs. 08/2009 by denise.harrell@att.net, on Flickr



270 lbs. 04/2010 by denise.harrell@att.net, on Flickr



1st pic 271 lbs. 12/10/2012 -2nd pic 212 lbs. 05/20/2012 by denise.harrell@att.net, on Flickr



1st pic 261.9 lbs. 01/25/2013 - 2nd pic 208 lbs. 06/18/2013 by denise.harrell@att.net, on Flickr


208 lbs. 06/25/2013 by denise.harrell@att.net, on Flickr

ME TODAY before my bike ride. I ride 20 miles 4 times a week plus jogging, interval training currently doing Power 90.
Finally starting to see muscle
07/06/2013


200 lbs. 07/6/2013 by denise.harrell@att.net, on Flickr