One year and almost 70lbs. pics

I had hoped to be able to write my success story before the 1 year mark but unfortunately I still haven’t reached my goal. So instead I am posting my 1 year progress and hopes for the future.
I have been stuck at a plateau now for about three months which has become frustrating but I have come so far that I have not lost hope.
On July 12, 2012 I had decided that enough was enough. I was on a couple different high blood pressure meds, I had constant knee and back pain. I couldn’t sleep, my own snoring and what I believe was sleep apnea, waking me up regularly. At 243lbs I was absolutely miserable. I wouldn’t leave my house except to go to work. I wouldn’t go to my kids’ school activities for fear of people I knew seeing me. I had always been overweight but I wasn’t myself any more.
I started slowly, mostly walking and trying weight loss shakes. The weight loss shakes only lasted about 2 weeks as I decided I didn’t like drinking most of my meals. Then I joined a gym and hired my personal trainer, Hali. She was my miracle. She introduced me to MFP, and told me to log everything. I logged my food, read forums, learned about proper nutrition, met so many wonderful encouraging people on MFP and worked with Hali regularly. I found other ways to exercise that kept me interested, and found out that eating some of the things I loved in moderation wasn’t a sin or a failure on my part and slowly was able to change my lifestyle.
I had so many wonderful moments along the way but one of the best was when my 7 year old daughter hugged me around the waist and said, “Mommy, I can hug you more now! My arms go all the way around!” I almost cried. She loved that I was able to carry her up the stairs to bed, when for so long knee and back pain and my own weight kept me from carrying her anywhere. She loves that I go swimming, biking, and walking with her now. My life is finally what it should be. The best part of my weight loss isn’t the smaller clothes, the admiring looks from strangers, or even the health benefits. For me the best part of my weight loss is becoming a person again, participating in life, and seeing the happiness in my children because mommy is right there with them now. I am so happy now that I wish I had been strong enough to have done this years ago.
Now for the part that everyone looks for. I wouldn’t post my before pictures on my profile for so long because I was ashamed. Now I am proud to show people where I started, and that I was strong enough to get this far, and I’m not done yet! I would like to lose roughly another 25 lbs but as long as I am strong and healthy we will see where I end up.


Before 243 - one year ago




Today 176