2 years of maintenance - 130+ pounds lost

Great post. Very genuine and very encouraging. I will save this one and reread from time to time.

I don't know which is more impressive, your weight loss or keeping it off.

You would be an awesome fitness trainer or weight-loss counselor.

I remember your story and how awesome that you are still maintaining this lifestyle in a healthier way! Congrats

You are an awesome example!
It appears you 'got it' about this being an entire lifestyle change and that really does mean a life long endeavor.

I agree one hundred percent with you that this is a lot about changing unhealthy habits into healthier ones.

My youngest son 'got it' too. He had an incredible doctor explain to him there is no diet in the world or no deep well of willpower that would change him. It would only come from making new habits and sticking to them. He is now 19 and lost about 80 pounds over a period of 4 years. He's not gained one ounce back and he plans on keeping this healthier body of his. He told me how much he loves his new life; being able to actually enjoy running up stairs!

Again, you're incredible and thanks for motivating many, many people on this site.

This is the best post I've read on MFP, and there are oodles of great and inspiring posts here. Thank you for sharing your story. I want all of my MFP buddies to read this!

Definitely life-changing insights. So well written also. Thank you.

Love this, congratulations and you're gorgeous inside and out! Very motivational, and I agree it is not a diet, it's a way of life.

Shannon, I've read your prior maintenance posts and love how honest you are with the process. It's seriously inspirational to see the "two years after", because often GOAL is where the story ends.

Before I started my journey I finally started loving me for me, fluff and all. It wasn't until after I truly loved myself that I was able to pursue my goal of being healthy. My success wasn't going to be measured by weighing a certain amount, but being able to go on family hikes without being out of breath, not feeling miserably full after eating, and be physically strong. My motto has been "eat now the way I will need to eat for the rest of my life". I've also refused to give up the foods (and beverages) that I love, but instead I'm learning to balance those choices better. Thank you for the very real truths and reminders that those are indeed the keys to success. I truly believe that fully understanding that the habits you form now are the habits that will carry you through maintenance. While I'm not at goal (yet!) and it's taking me a bit longer to get there, there is much success in continuing to get right back on that wagon after any setback, large or small.

Thank you again for continuing to motivate us with your post-goal reality!

Thank you for this!
I am sooo close to maintenance and I'm getting nervous.

Love love love. This says everything anyone needs to know to be successful. Thank you.

Outstanding!

Congrats on your 2 years!!! :flowerforyou:

One of the sanest posts I've ever seen on mfp!

I'm equally irked by the 'food is for fuel' idea as it ignores all the other wonderful facets of food.

Your words are as beautiful as you! Thanks for the wonderful post to enlighten those who are still in the dark about maintaining weight loss. When the brain is changed, things just fall into place. I'll be quoting you when I treat my patients, "eat the way you want to maintain". Awesome!

Congrats...there's no way you're going back to your previous size. No chance

Your friendly dietitian