Met my goal... But may go a little more. Thoughts?

jkestens63
jkestens63 Posts: 1,164 Member
edited September 25 in Success Stories
On April 28, 2008 I weighed 444 lbs. I had to lose weight because I was in rough shape. I had lymphedema in my legs and ended up with infections in them that the docs could not cure despite numerous hospitalizations, bi-weekly visits to wound care specialist and twice daily dressing changes that involved bathing the wounds in a bleach based solution. I could walk only for brief spurts, walking to the end of my driveway to get the mail was almost impossible. I had to quit a job I had for 12 years and move out of my apartment and in with my amazing family so they could take care of me. Forget about movies, restaurants with booths, driving my car because I couldn't fit into any of those seats. I had to order clothes on line at retailers that had super sizes. No social life, no love life.
My options were make changes or die young. It's been a long and difficult 3 years but today I reached the goal I set for myself, 175 lbs. I have lost 249 lbs. There is no magic bullet, there were many ups and downs, I sweated my butt off in the gym. I truly believe anyone can do this, just have to stick with it

As for what ha

Replies

  • elainecroft
    elainecroft Posts: 595 Member
    Congratulations! Your story is amazing and very inspiring, and I hope you take the time to enjoy all of the things that you can do now that you couldn't before!
  • mfergie889
    mfergie889 Posts: 77
    You are amazing! So inspiring...
  • missy1970eb
    missy1970eb Posts: 1,209 Member
    well done on ur fab weightloss, u look great as u r:flowerforyou:
  • Becky_G_82
    Becky_G_82 Posts: 3
    That's truly amazing. Congratulations! It must feel soooooooooooooo good.
  • Enigmatica
    Enigmatica Posts: 879 Member
    What an amazing accomplishment!!! Kudos to you for doing all the hard work and learning the discipline that got you here. That lymphedema is a terrifying thing, no doubt about it. Glad you've been able to do what you've done!

    As for going further than your goal, I did. Just stay within your healthy weight range and it should be fine =)
  • lmason731
    lmason731 Posts: 5 Member
    that is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congrats to you:flowerforyou:
  • jreese5226
    jreese5226 Posts: 328 Member
    Very inspiring! You've done a marvelous job. Keep up the great work!
  • russfrench
    russfrench Posts: 3
    I think you should not stop. I think it may be time to change direction. When I reach my goal (which is coincidentally 175 lbs), my plan is to begin building shaping sculpting a stronger body. I think it is one thing to lose weight. I think we could all stand to continue to improve our health:happy:
  • katdon88
    katdon88 Posts: 39 Member
    Job well done, you look Great!
  • obifatkanobi
    obifatkanobi Posts: 190
    Bump ~ You have done terrific. Thanks for sharing this, and congratulations on a job well done.
  • MsFitnFabulous
    MsFitnFabulous Posts: 432 Member
    YOU GO GIRL!!! I am very proud of you. You are a living witness that persistence and endurance pays off!! I applaud you in your major success. If you want to do more so be it. it's your body, it's your choice.
  • berniemay
    berniemay Posts: 78 Member
    YOU GO GIRL!!! I am very proud of you. You are a living witness that persistence and endurance pays off!! I applaud you in your major success. If you want to do more so be it. it's your body, it's your choice.
    [/quote

    I agree with this. You are amazing!
  • BetterJenny
    BetterJenny Posts: 50
    What a truly inspiring story! You're amazing! Thanks for sharing with us. I think if you want to keep going, you definitely should. You're at an awesome weight now, but if you think you should get down to an ideal bmi, you should totally go for it. Obviously you can do it. Just look at what you've done so far! You're so inspiring!!
  • suzycreamcheese
    suzycreamcheese Posts: 1,766 Member
    wow, well done you !!!
  • waverly9876
    waverly9876 Posts: 605 Member
    What a great job and inspiration. You should be so proud of yourself.
  • curvygirl512
    curvygirl512 Posts: 423 Member
    What an incredible weight loss victory!!! Celebrate your victory !!!

    I'm new and looking for friends to motivate me. Please feel free to friend me.
  • kent4j
    kent4j Posts: 391 Member
    Congratulations on meeting your goal. Your story is very inspirational and I'm so happy for you.
  • SimplyDeLish
    SimplyDeLish Posts: 539
    What an awesome and inspiring story. Congratulations and thanks for sharing!
  • Colie912
    Colie912 Posts: 17 Member
    Way to go! What a great job!
  • Amybcb
    Amybcb Posts: 292 Member
    What an incredible story! You've done amazing. I love your quote too "is the choice I'm making bringing me closer or farther from my goal". That will be my new motto!
  • taletreader
    taletreader Posts: 377 Member
    You've accomplished so much -- it's very very impressive, and you can now just take your time figuring out where you want to take this! You can develop your muscles or increase your endurance, or just enjoy some of the activities that were inaccessible and see what your body needs to get good at them. Or simple shave off a little more fat. You can have goals in terms of performance, body fat %, waist circumference, or weight. The world's your oyster!
  • spackham
    spackham Posts: 252 Member
    You are an inspiration and it goes to show everyone that their "reasons" are just excuses. So proud of you. You are a strong woman. My vote is to keep doing what you have been doing for 3 years. If you keep losing, great. If not, great. Once you stop losing and you are still not satisfied, I would consider getting the stretched skin removed. Then, find your maintenance calories for your exercise plan and be HAPPY!!! You deserve it!
  • evseqvar
    evseqvar Posts: 51 Member
    Your story inspires me even more! Thanks for sharing!
    And congrats on making a life change, keep it up!!
  • ratherbeskiing
    ratherbeskiing Posts: 847 Member
    congrats! you are an inspiration to all
  • Rhonnie07
    Rhonnie07 Posts: 36
    You look awesome and what an amazing story. Thank for sharing your success story it is an inspiration to us all.
  • lowb35
    lowb35 Posts: 3
    WOW! I just posted a little while ago about my journey since I'm also at goal, but due to my age and fitness level (also 47 and now fit but not an athlete) I had to adjust my goal upward a little bit from what it was originally. But I approached it differently from you since I was once ultra thin and wanted to get the extra pounds off before I hit menopause for health reasons, but I soon realized that recapturing my underweight 20 something year old self in the process was not a reasonable or healthy goal. Being HEALTHY and FIT at any age or goal weight is the ultimate goal IMHO. If it is healthy for you to do so maybe you can keep going but be patient and listen to your body because it will likely tell you when it is time to stop. If you really have to push it beyond what is reasonable or healthy to get more weight off then maybe then it is time. But if you can simply keep doing what you have been doing and still lose a little more weight then it's probably ok. My body has pretty much told me that where I am now is healthy, maybe I can take a few more pounds off for purely cosmetic purposes at this point, but if I don't I'm not going to stress about it at all. My goal is to STAY healthy and maintain my weight in what is a normal, healthy range for me. Kudos and more kudos for you for reaching your goal and gaining your health!!!! You are an inspiration!!!!
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