One Year Here (with some pics :) )

Well, its a year since I first logged into MFP and wondered how this was going to help me in my never ending battle of the bulge. I have struggled with my weight all my life - my parents tell me I was put on my first diet when I was one year old!!!

9 years ago I weighed just over 19 stone after divorce and comfort eating had taken their toll, and had a health scare of borderline diabetes shock me into realising I had to do SOMETHING so I went on the Rosemary Conley diet and exercise plan and also the GI diet and managed to lose about 3 stone. This helped my health somewhat and I become comfortable with living at about 16 stone - which as a size 18 (UK) I didnt feel too bad about.



(me June 2004 at 19 stone, size 22 (UK))

I met my second husband 7 years ago and we got married 5 years ago in October - I weighed about 16 stone 5lb then and at the time thought I looked fine.... I knew I was a big girl (and yes I am taller than my husband but seeing we don't mind then neither should anyone else!) but I managed to convince myself I always would be and to stop worrying about it.



(October 2008)

By the time last year came round, this had crept up to 16 stone 10.5lb and I could feel them extra pounds starting to drag me back down the path towards that scary unhealthy place so decided to do something about it again. My husband was also concerned about his weight so he decided to join in, so on my birthday at the start of August we agreed to try and lose a stone each. Well by this time last year (ie 3 weeks later!) we were both flagging with willpower desertion, and when a friend at work suggested MFP I thought, well I will give anything a go!!!

I have to say that this last year, the battle of the bulge has been finally won. I have found losing 63lb - 4.5 stone! - the easiest ever. No faddy diets, no feelings of depriving myself of favourite foods - just learning moderation, portion sizes, and that it really is as simple as the amount of energy put into my body has to be slightly less than the amount of energy my body uses to lose weight. Also the support of great people on the same journey has helped so much - thank you guys - you are all awesome!!! And I finally got to wear a pair of size 12 jeans!!! The most unbelievable thing of all!

Oh and my wonderful husband has lost also 3.5 stone and looks amazing so between us that is a loss of 8 stone - thats nearly a whole person!!!!



(size 18 and about 16.5 stone)



(size 12 jeans!!!! and 12 stone 3lbs)



I have just 3lbs to go to be normal BMI - that is my goal. I am 5'9" so I think that is a reasonable weight for me. Nearly there!!