Started at 407... finally hit 359.2 today!

I started this journey weighing in at 407 lbs. I felt so depressed and hopeless. My legs were so swollen I could barely walk. My blood pressure was so high I felt like I was going to explode in my face, chest, arms and legs. I had headaches daily. Pain everywhere and all of the time. I am a registered nurse and lost hold of my career to wind up in a wheelchair. I also developed severe plaque psoriasis over the years causing my depression to worsen and forcing me into isolating in my home because I was embarrassed of my skin and felt like a leper.

For the past few years my household had started focusing more on the foods we consume. We switched to only free range meat about 5 years ago. More and more organics made there way into my kitchen as well. Last year my college aged son started reading labels and researching the meanings behind the long ingredients that were not part of our daily vocabulary. He discovered that there is so much hidden in the processed foods we eat. These hidden (disguised) ingredients include things like fat, sodium and sugar as well as a lot of gross stuff like bugs and human hair extracts. It's no wonder you continue to struggle with weight loss even when you think you are buying healthy stuff.

We finally decided if it's processed by someone else it is not good for us. My son went through all the kitchen cabinets, pantry and refrigerator/freezer and threw everything that was processed away. We shop very carefully now buying mostly fresh fruits, veggies, lean chicken and beef, low fat milk and dairy and always cage free/free range AND grass fed meats and eggs.

Recently my dad bought be a yogurt maker and we have begun making our own yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese and ricotta cheese from low fat grass fed non homogenized milk. My son started making me a fruit smoothie every day by adding frozen berries, fresh fruit, 1/4 cup of cold pressed fruit juice (no added sugar and always organic) along with some ginger and turmeric. It is amazing how I suddenly have ZERO headaches, pain has decreased throughout my body by at least 75% and my psoriasis seems to be fading away. It is now barely noticeable on my hands and arms and I have been able to get outside more without feeling like everyone was staring at me or moving their children away from me.

I still ride the scooter in the places I go where there is a lot of walking involved but have gradually increased my mobility by leaving the scooter behind whenever it is a short distance. I have built up to walking the entire way at Whole Foods (it is smaller than most big grocery stores but still a huge accomplishment for me.

My knees have recently begun to give me problems because as the doctor said "you may be doing too much too fast". My excitement about my progress though has propelled my motivation leaps and bounds and really makes me want to do more and more.

To date I have lost 47.8 lbs. I joined MFP when I was about 389 so according to my MFP profile it shows 30lbs lost. Either way I am extremely relieved and proud of how FAR I have come, not just on the scale but in my mindset. I do believe that what made the difference this time, aside from terrific family support, is dealing with the psych/emotional/spiritual side first. This has given me the strength to make good choices and be motivated to do more.

And so today I finally reached my first milestone goal! I hit the 350s, a place I haven't seen in more than 4 years. My "mini" goals from here out will be in 10 lb increments with my milestone goals being 299, 249, 199, 149 and goal! While the weights are specific goals, my ultimately goal is to continue getting health and to maintain the healthiest lifestyle possible, free of processed foods, junk foods and meats that have been fattened up with corn, soy and all kinds of other stuff.

I want to thank all the friends I have made on MFP for their support and as always I love to make new friends so please feel free to add me as your friend. I wish everyone the best on their journeys. May the healthiest lifestyle be with your!