Hey I'm an after! (pic heavy)

So my one year on MFP is coming up soon! So I thought I'd share my story. A little over a year ago I was a stay at home mom to a silly,beautiful crazy two year old. I was happy with my life, my husband adored me, my daughter thought I hung the moon, but my jeans were not the size I wanted them to be, I knew I was over weight but I ignored it for years, I would tell myself well I'm not THAT overweight. I would look at photos of myself from when I was 19 and be envious. My husband would try his best to encourage me to become a healthier person. He's sweet and didn't want to hurt my feelings, so usually his efforts didn't go very far. My wake up call was a yearly check up, my doctor told me very kindly "You are overweight , you need to take care of it now before it gets out of control."

I listened. I bought a zumba dvd and danced until I had lost 10 lbs, I didn't count a single calorie, and guess what I gained it all back in the next couple of months. Pfft I thought, well I guess this is the weight my body is most comfortable with. WRONG! About 6 months later I stumbled across MFP. And let me tell you it changed my life. Not only has it helped me lose weight but I learn so much every day by reading the forums. I read them almost every night, I usually don't say much, but I listen, learn and research. There are some brilliant people on here, listen to them. They know what they are talking about. I lost pretty consistently, about a pound a week. Until a few months ago, the scale wasn't moving. I was frustrated. I was working my butt off and I wasn't getting the gratification I knew I deserved. So I jumped off my elliptical and started lifting (nothing impressive yet!), the scale is still moving slowly but my body is completely different. Who knew I had an hour glass figure under that belly?

....anywho I went from a size 14/16 to a size 6/8! 176 lbs to 142 lbs. My goal was 140 but I figured I better do this before I lose the little big of courage I have. Sorry I wrote so much, I didn't intend to! Ok on to the pictures! I have no idea how big these pictures are going to be so bear with me!



Me around 176. I bought this dress at good will, it's a size 8. I squeezed into it, but I couldn't zip it up the back. It was my goal dress, I've since lost it lol





ugggh this picture!





Around 150, my goodwill goal dress






And now for the After's
Size small dress?? say what?







My size 8 goal pants!





Edit to add that I also quit smoking a few months ago! I loved to smoke, especially after a shot of Jack . But I knew how awful it was, I held on to it because I thought I needed a vice. But guess what turns out I don't :laugh: