My journey from stroke to reaching goal

This actually happened Dec 8, 2008, so Monday it will be 6 years ago.I just finished lunch with a coworker and was at target getting xmas supplies for our work, where i just lost my balance and fell. then I got up and fell again. thats when they called the paramedics. No pain, even though the day before i did notice my neck hurt but just assumed I pulled something. It all happened that quick. I now know my blood pressure was 260/140/ they said i was lucky i did not explode.

I remember my stroke, not knowing if I would even walk again or even end up in an assisted living facility, as I did not know what the outcome would be.
I suppose, at that time, even the dr's were not even sure. I was in the hospital for 35 days, 14 of which were in intensive care. I was paralyzed on the left side.Started off in a wheelchair, which I was not allowed to get in or out of my self, then progressed to a walker, then to a cane and finally nothing. I went to physical, speech and occupational therapy for the last 3 weeks in the hospital, as the first 2 weeks, they wouldnt let me do it until they got my blood pressure under control. Then after being discharged, the therapy continued for about another 2 months. I remember them telling me I was lucky, well in a weird way, and showed me others that had a similar type stroke, who would always be in a wheelchair and probably never progress and then alot don't even survive.
So I realize that i have come far. I do drive, even though that took awhile as I couldnt reach with my left arm to close the car door, so had to reach with the right arm. I would avoid drive thrus as I knew reaching was a problem. I was still eating bad,and of course not getting any exercise, so ended up gaining about 50 pounds, getting up to 282, which was one of the worst things after a stroke, because they say if you have 1 stroke, you are more likely to have a 2nd. I was was taking alot of medication, about 28 pills a day, many being blood pressure and pain, as there was damage to the left side of my body, and still is even to this day. There is always a burnt, cold tingling feel in my hands and feet, a tightness in my legs and knee, and my balance is off especially when my legs get tired. Then a friend told me about My Fitness Pal. I never was concerned about diet or calories, which is probably why I ended up with the stroke and being here. I love computers, electronics, and challanges, and was not sure if I would last on mfp for a week. Then a week later jan 14,2013, I bought a fitbit thinking it may motivate me. Before that, I probably walked 500-1000 steps a day. I started off slow, and now have walked 3200 miles. I guess it worked.
I realize if I didn't take the steps I did, I easily would have been over 300 pounds now, possibly having another stroke. I have gone from a 48 waist to a 32 and a xxl shirt to a small. I do not have cheat days. I figure that that is what got me here. That's not to say I am perfect. Now though if I want something bad, I work for it first, then eat it. For instance, if I want a 500 calorie cheesburger, before I would just eat it, but now I will exercise and when I burn those calories, then I will go eat it, kind of like a reward and it makes it easier knowing if I obtain that number, I will eat something I like. The one thing I didn't realize is the social aspect of this. I have met so many people from all over the world, some that I speak to almost everyday. Now that I am at my goal, I am staying with mfp to be held accountable and not to be like so many others I have seen, that get to their goal, leave and are back a year later, gaining everything back plus more.
This does work. I did it all thru watching caloriies and walking, as thats all i really can due because of the damage on my left side due to the stroke. I am sure a gym would have speeded it up, but I was ok with just the walking. While going thru this, I always felt this to me is more mentalthan anything. I just got to the point where i got more excited with losing a pound or a size in my waist, than have a piece of pizza or cake. I never let the scale bother me. I knew i was doing the right thing. If I lost great, If I didnt, to me it meant I wasn't working hard enough at it, so I was motivated either way.
I was one of those people that thought, this will never happen to me, but it did and it does, and the sad part is that i could have prevented it, but it is what it is and all i can do is try to be better and try to prevent this from happening again, To date I started at 282 pound, xxl shirt, 48" waist and now 2 years later. i am at 149 pounds, small shirt, 32" waist. I did not do anything drastic. The biggest thing for me as i am a super pickey eater, was that i still ate what i liked, but just watched calories. if i was forced to eat foods i didnt like, i doubt i would have lasted on here more than a week.Just that and got a fitbit pedometer, and walked, thats it. no secret pills or foods, I ate hot dogs, burgers, fries, grilled cheese etc but tracked calories and other nutrients and it worked. i have of course been going to the dr the last 2 years pretty much monthly and the dr is super happy with my blood work. I was on about 28 pills a day and now i am on less than 1/2 of that.
Hoping that maybe something that I have gone thru, can maybe prevent others from doing the same....Anyone that wants more info or just talk, feel free to email me or add as a friend anytime!!! have a great weekend...

before and after pictures: