113 lbs lost in 18 months - Thank you Mean People!

I still have some weight to lose, and other goals to meet so I can make new goals. But today I finally felt like I was a success!

113 lbs lost in 18 months, my health has improved more than I ever thought was possible. I started with 14 prescriptions daily, I know take 5. The month before I started I couldn't complete 1 minute of a 6 minute walk for a pulmonary function test, I can now run 6 miles. Now running isn't my favorite thing to do, but I found I absolutely love biking and my longest ride so far is 58 miles. I also found a love for lifting, it's given me confidence and proven to me I am strong mentally and physically.

And I've done this with still being able to eat my ice cream that I love, baking one of my favorite things to do, and just enjoying life because life is too short.

Here's where I started this picture was taken the day after I was released from the hospital after my 4th week long stay of the year, this time it was where I spent Christmas, but it's also where I decided I am important and I am worth fighting for.. I knew what I wanted to do but didn't know how to do it...



I wrote this blog the other day and felt it was a good way to sum up my success...

While reading yet another mean people thread today, yes I know another one a friend made a response about there's always another mean people threading popping up but very few thank you threads ever created and she's right.
I've sent a few messages to some of the people that without knowing it helped me, I haven't personally thanked everyone, but I do owe so many thank yous and figured I should do that here.

I was a lurker on the forums, watching and reading what people that had lost the weight I was hoping to lose, had changed their lives were doing. When I started I had no clue, I thought I did hell I've dieted all my life, but no I really had no idea what I was doing. So I watched and okay maybe even stalked a few (they don't know so it's okay) to learn. I wanted to accomplish what they had.

Eat all the foods you enjoy just smaller amounts - Moderation (took time and trial and error but I did learn this)
Get a food scale to learn portions - One of the best investments I ever made - My tablespoon of peanut butter was 2 to 3 servings easy before.

Start strength training - Taught me I am stronger than I ever thought

Find something you enjoy doing and repeat - Biking my favorite thing to do now can't believe this some days. But this morning when I was feeling stressed all I wanted to do was go for a long bike ride which I did and it felt wonderful.
Really could it be that simple?

I learned from so many people on MFP, most of you will never know how much I owe to you, some people have deactivated by now and I can never thank them, others and this is a huge shame have been banned from the forums because they didn't hold any punches and gave real advice not some sugar coated crap.

But to all of you that day in and day out offer your time, help and assistance to people you don't even know I want to thank you. So whenever you think you are wasting your time posting because the OP probably won't take the advice anyway, remember there is always someone lurking that will.

As most of blog posts I have too many thoughts running through my head, and I am not a writer but if you get nothing else from this... before reading a response in the forums and immediately think someone is being mean to you, stop and just listen to what's being said as the person is really just trying to help and Thank them!



So I would like to thank each of you that take the time to help because without you I don't know what would have happened. Oh and picture taking is worse than my writing but you get the idea.

Edited because I forgot to add this wonderful picture of dessert last night... you can lose weight eating delicious food!