Long way to go, but 45 pounds down! (Pics, I hope!)

Hi all! I have been an MFP member for years. I have been in an evil cycle: Lose 20 pounds, get frustrated, gain all back + a few, repeat.

Before I knew it, I was close to 300 pounds. I am 36 years old. You'd never know I was a skinny cheerleader in high school. I won't go into all of the reasons why I gained the weight, but ultimately, I was responsible for every single ounce. I was always exhausted, grumpy, and so very sad.

Then one day last May, something changed. It just clicked, and I started making real changes. Most significantly, I ate less. Not really different, just less. I still go out to eat. I still eat carbs, even the satanic white ones. I just make sure that if I go over my calories one day, I cut back the next.

The biggest change has probably been exercise. I actually like it now. I discovered that I love a nearby hiking trail, and I have serious competitions with myself on the elliptical. I even started strength training.

Now I lost the first 20 pounds really easily and quickly, just like always. And then I stalled. I lost nothing for like a month even though I was still at a calorie deficit. I saw my doctor and after running every test in the book, he assured me that nothing was wrong with me. (Besides all of the extra weight that is.) He encouraged me to keep eating better and to exercise because even if I wasn't losing, I was still benefiting my health. He promised that eventually the scale numbers would follow my habits. He was right. (Who knew?) I woke up one morning just after my period, and dropped a whopping 5 pounds. That continued over the next few months.....no loss at all, and then a significant one right after my cycle. I just have to be very careful not to get frustrated and depend too much on the scale.

I still hope to lose about 60 more pounds. And then my drivers license won't be a big, screaming lie.

I am always looking to add more friends, so feel free to add me. :flowerforyou:

So, if you actually read all of that, thank you! I've been resting on a giant plateau for a while now, and I'm crossing my fingers for a few pounds to drop any day now. I just started a New Year's challenge at my gym, and I hope that will recharge my batteries!