85 DAYS! 30 pounds gone FOREVER!

Hello MFP! I have finally reached my goal weight less than a week ago and have gone back and forth with posting a success story post even though I promised myself I would when I did reach my goal so here it is!

A little background..

I struggled with my body-image and self esteem for as long as I can remember. I was diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder/food addiction and depression a few years ago. After that diagnosis, it just got worse because I wasn't trying to treat the underlying issues of why I had them to begin with. I ate and ate and gained and gained. I hated myself and continued gaining weight. My body type is the kind where I only really gained fat on my mid-section so "luckily," (or so I told myself...) I was able to hide it. When I went shopping, I bought tops that hid me. I never bought clothing items that simply looked good or I thought were cute. It was all about hiding myself.

This past September I had to get a physical for student teaching. I haven't gone to a real doctor or stepped on a "real" scale in a very long time. When I did, I saw the number. It was the BIGGEST number I have ever read on a scale. I was devastated. I know this was a result of my habit of binge eating and not working out. I was miserable and felt so terribly. I knew I had to seek help to get my relationship with food under control...

I found a wonderful therapist. I see her bi-weekly now and she helped me a great deal sort out all of the underlying issues that was resulting in me eating for comfort and having such a terrible relationship with food. Before this, I would try dieting and losing weight. I was only eating 1200 calories and working out 700-900 calories off of that. It made me CRAZY and led me to binge eat. I was getting no where with that lifestyle... I saw a nutritionist who helped me design a new plan for myself and man did that open my eyes. I eat a lot more calories now! anywhere from 1600-1800 and do cardio and strength train. I feel amazing. I also have a much better relationship with food. I'm not obsessing over it or craving the same things I use to. I eat health nourishing meals and see food as fuel rather than comfort. I still have my occasional slice of carrot cake or black licorice (favorite candy ever, you are wrong if you think otherwise! which is probably 99.9% of you hahaha) but for the most part, healthy and fuel filled foods! I run and just began a wonderful strength training program with a trainer. I love it! I love this lifestyle and despite reaching my ULTIMATE goal weight, I do not plan to go back to the old habits/lifestyle I once lived. There is NO finish line with this. I will always workout and eat healthy. That is something I think a lot of people think. They see this as a temporary thing that once they are at an ideal weight, they can go back to old habits. No. I will not do that. I feel great and feel as though I look a lot better as well..

So, I'm not done! But this is where I am now. Healthy food, and working out is all it took. Losing weight was the easy part. The finding myself, getting help for my many struggles and learning new ways to cope with my feelings other than food were the challenging parts of this but I DID it. I'm not perfect though and I'm still learning. I will tell you this though, I could not have done it without the amazing site that is MyFitnessPal and all of the wonderful advice and help I have received on here. Like a lot of you, I have very little real life support. I have an amazing boyfriend that supports me and encourages me to keep going but other than that, it is my friends on here that inspire/motivate and help me out so Thank you!

NOW, 85 days on here, 30 pounds gone and a whole new body/outlook on life. I now go shopping and buy clothes I love. I actually struggle to know whether or not I actually like the clothes or how well they look haha its a CRAZY bizarre experience but one I will continue to love forever. I am really loving this new body and can't wait to change it even more through strength training. This is my first success story post but it will NOT be my last..

This lifestyle change has been the best and most challenging thing in the world. I am SO happy I did it and continue to every day. I am very much in the habit of it and enjoy the foods and lifestyle so much now. In the beginning I could barely run a mile. Now i'm running anywhere from 5-6 and lifting heavy weights. Seeing and feeling my body change is wonderful.

Also, if you feel as though you are struggling with yourself as well as your relationship with food I can't stress enough how much seeking out help can really change your life. YOU deserve to feel happy and wonderful in your own skin. Look for help. Ask your primary doctor (that's what I did..) do what you can to make yourself happier. You can overcome it. I struggled for 7+ years before doing this and am so mad at myself for not until now.. but I am happy I finally did.


now..picture time!










I use my iPad as kind of a face blocker haha I still get nervous about sharing any pictures of myself in case someone I know in real life may find me on here. Sorry if its a little awkward haha

150 pounds to 120. 85 days of eating healthy and working my butt off! LOTS of discipline, therapy and support and love. boom!


Thanks everyone for reading! I hope this reaches out to someone who may have struggled similarly to me. Have a wonderful day!