The benefits and rewards of weightloss-- 179 lbs 'lost' and more gained...

The photo on the left was me in 2008. I was living life but I wasn't really living. I thought I was, but I didn't know then what I know now. I didn't realize how much change was possible. My goal was never to get where I am now. My goal then? To lose enough weight that I didn't have to buy a bigger size clothing. I didn't think I could do what I have done. I didn't think skinny was ever a possiblity for me, so I never tried.

I have struggled with weight issues most of my life and until about 2006 I never even tried to do anything different. Everyone in my family had weight issues, so it was just something I accepted. 2006 I worked out a little and got a little healthier, but still overweight.

Then I was in a car accident, and gained a lot of weight in a short period of time, I couldn't continue my exercise regiment (which I started to slack on) and I was pretty upset/depressed. Once my doctor cleared me to work out in the Fall of 2008- I made a decision to make a whole lifestyle change and I have not looked back since.

I started small- elliptical, water aerobics, curves, walking, etc. And over the last year I managed to run 5 half marathons. In November 2013 I couldn't even run for 2 minutes without stopping and now I am training for a full marathon this May. I would have never thought that I would be running, let alone running a marathon.

I remember years of watching the biggest loser, and seeing myself slowly being bigger and bigger than the contestants when they would first get to the ranch. I remember seeing them doing marathons, being like um no never. And now that is me. I run 4-5 days a week and I love it.

I look at that I lost 179 lbs over the last 6 years but I have gained so much more:
*I am now in control of my health-- it is not in control of me
*I am the most active that I have ever been and love trying new things (hence my 2015 goals are to run a full marathon and do a tough mudder)
*I have met so many great people through this journey who have also struggled and have been great supports
*Smaller clothes which means I can pack more when I go on trips
*and a sense of happiness that I have never felt before- being 100% ok with my body and its imperfections. But knowing that I am the person I am today because I fought hard over the years.

I couldn't have done this overnight and there were many times I wanted to give up. I made mistakes, learned from them and kept going. I wish I would have started this journey earlier in my life.

My biggest advice is don't see this as a temporary journey. This is life- I go by the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time, I make the best decisions for my body with food options but I allow myself 20% to enjoy something as a treat and I never feel deprived.

Keep up the motivation. I read this year that most people will only keep their weightloss/workout resoution for 2 weeks. So I figured I would post something to help motivate people to keep with it, even and especially when it gets hard. Set goals and work hard