121 lbs LOST - 87 to go!!!

I haven't always had a weight problem. I didn't start gaining weight until my 10th grade year of High school... But i was in total denial that I was HEAVY... Even when I had to start shopping in the Plus size section.... It wasn't until 3 Years ago, I reached my highest weight at 398 lbs and my doctor told me i was going to DIE if I didn't do something! and You can only imagine the strain all that weight put on my 5 foot frame. I was prompted to go to my doctor because my family and friends soon showed concern about my weight. Funny thing is, the same people who were coming down on me about my weight are now the same people who don't agree with the fact I am loosing another 87 lbs... And that's just my short term goal....My Long Term goal is to reach 150 lbs and maintain!

I remember I couldn't even sit in a chair at work that had arms on it. Walking from my kitchen to my bedroom made my body ache. I remember i use to blame it on "maybe im getting sick?" I use to sit at my desk at work snacking on chips, candy, sodas and I ate fast food 7 days a week. I was in a (TIGHT) size 28 and sometimes would just wear sweats because I was just too big to fit into anything else. Going to an amusement park was out the question! I knew I had to do something to make a change...

I see a lot of people who post about losing LOTS of weight in a little bit of time but that's not the case with me... It took me almost a year and a half to lose 50 lbs. I can honestly say I wasn't totally motivated about changing my eating habits and exercise was out the question (at first)! I had to figure out what triggered my over eating... Emotions? Boredom? Dining out with others? And come to find out it was a mixture of all of these things. So, I changed my mind about how i saw food.... Then when I saw I lost 50 lbs, that was all the motivation i needed. After that I lost my next 50 lbs in 6 months... I was down 100 lbs in 2 years and I was amazed.... BUT i got too comfortable and for the next year I lost 0 lbs! Yeah, I didn't gain any but i was stuck at 298 lbs..

Jan 2014 i rejoined MFP and I'm already down 21 lbs. I get asked a lot about weight loss secrets... I would have never imagined I would be asked those questions! LOL!!! all i can say is Hard work, dedication, determination, and doing what works for YOU ! I committed myself to changing! I started off making small changes like not eating after 8pm, drinking more water, eating every 2-3 hours, and cutting out a lot of fast food. Then i moved to portion control. I use to be TOTALLY AGAINST Fat free, low fat, low cal ANYTHING... I just didn't like the IDEA that the food would possibly taste like DIET FOOD (as i called it).... but my attitude soon changed when I saw the taste was basically the same and for the same amount I was use to eating, FAT FREE usually meant the calories were cut in half OR even more!

Currently, I have cut out my carbs about 75%-80%, Cut out most fast food or eating out and if i do, I make SMARTER choices. I now snack on Almonds, Celery, Carrots and cucumbers... When i get a sugar craving, I just get a tablespoon of peanut butter and add it too my mutli-grain crackers or eat some grapes or Yogurt. I don't feel deprived at all, and yes of course I miss a lot of food I use to eat, BUT i do not miss those extra 121 lbs!!! I still have a little treat here or there but for the most part, I've adapted a new, healthier lifestyle.

My new challenge is to Exercise more and tone. I have a lot of excess skin from losing weight... SO that's what im working on now and I know i will succeed!

If i feel like i'm going to have a slip up I say: FAT LAST LONGER THAN FLAVOR!

Feel free to add me if you are looking for MOTIVATED, ACTIVE AND UPLIFTING MFP FRIENDS!!!