167+ lbs lost. 10lbs more to "goal"(pics)

When I first started using Myfitnesspal, I'd smirk and snicker and think "who does that?" when peeps would write that they didn't have any fat pics of themselves and opine on causes, e.g., subconscious shame. It didn't take me too long to realize I was one of those people and that I hardly had any fat pics of myself. A few weeks/month ago, I e-mailed some friends and asked if they had any fat pics of me. I received a reply e-mail a couple days ago with a pic attached. It's of me at costume/Halloween party in Oct 2009. I studied the picture for a while and then went into the bathroom here at work and took a selfie. Here are the pics together:

October 2009 - Approx 400lbs February 2014 - Appox 235lbs


The timeline:
First, I stopped drinking soda. Besides a ginger ale last year when I was sick, and some Martinelli's at a few New Years Eve parties, I haven't drunk soda since quitting. (Note: I don't know enough to know definitively whether or not soda is bad...but I know it wasn't a good habit for me...so I quit.)

Second. Subsequent to quitting soda, I started limiting myself to one plateful of food at meals. Note: I could get as large a plate as I wanted, and could pile it as high as logistically possible, but still..."one plateful" represented a decrease in total food consumption at meals. (smh...but this was a good step-in-the-right-direction for me with respect to learning to moderate intake)

Third. Subsequent to beginning to regulate (even minimally) portion control, I started using MFP. This is when I really started to pick up steam. (I think I started around Oct-Nov 2012.)

Fourth: I did the 30 Day Shred and was amazed at the results (in one month, I lost 12lbs and a couple of inches...that was A LOT for me!)

Fifth: I started running. I liked/like the challenge, my knees are young'ish, and it's a convenient way for me to burn some calories. (I started out with huffing and puffing around the track--who am I kidding...it was little more than brisk walking...but I ended the year with some 5ks, 10ks, and a pair of half marathons under my--significantly smaller --belt).

That's it. I'm currently down 165+lbs. I'd like to lose another 30lbs and then lose some more inches as I gradually add more strength exercise. Thanks to everyone who's helped thus far...and thanks to everyone who continues to help or who will help me in the future. It would have been much harder, if not improbable, without you.

(BTW...like that costume? I'm supposed to be the Empire State Building and my kid is King Kong. Haha.)