So, how did I lose the 225 pounds?

Congratulations! What an amazing transformation.
Are you officiating a wedding in that first pic? That is really cool.
I've found that for me, my food issues aren't just mental and physical, they're spiritual too. Was the same true for you? How has this life change affected your faith?

Thanks! I am officiating a wedding I have leaned on my faith to get me through the hard times in this constant struggle. I enjoy knowing that he has my back.

I think the weight loss has helped my spiritual side in the fact that I am able to give back more, which is something I needed and wanted to do.

Good luck to you!

That is amazing and congrats with finding what works for you. I am looking to lose roughly around 89 lbs but I am at a lost at where to start. My biggest down fall is soda. I feel like I can't get through the day without one. I also have other issues I am dealing with that I feel like is holding me back from losing the weight. Is there any advice you could give me, that would encourage me to get on board with losing weight?

Hello InLove8791, I wish I could give you the one piece of advice that can get you where you want to be. I know how hard it can be to get to a place where losing weight even seems possible. Not to mention figuring out that I didn't really need food to make me feel joyful.

I found motivation in what some may find shallow. However, for me it was a turning point. I remember one day looking at my son playing with his friends and I thought to myself "I wonder if he has to defend me with his friends." That one question gave me that first big motivation I needed. I realized that I didn't want to be an embarrassment to my son, I wanted to be his hero.

Through out this journey that has been a key motivator, but I have also had to come up with others too. Such as making it a goal to ride on the Vortex at Kings Island, or to be able to play basketball with my son. With each new motivator I found renewed strength and validation that food wasn't my joy, being able to live was.

Now that doesn't mean I don't find time to still enjoy food. It just means I had to find different ways to prepare it, and start being a little more adventurous in what I was willing to eat.

As far as the Soda, I still drink it but I only drink diet and I am going to start limiting that soon as well.

You can make the choice to live a healthy life, but you need to be able to truly identify why you want too. Sometimes that might mean asking yourself is this soda going to help me achieve "Insert Goal"?

Good luck!

Congratulations and May God continue to bless you!!!

Thank you and same to you

How much do you exercise?

I go to the gym 3-4 days a week for 1 1/2 hours.

I am also currently working on a push up challenge as well

Being able to exercise either biking or walking with the family for more than 30 minutes.

Good luck to you! I know the joy of biking with my family. It is great motivation!