From 275 to 183 w/ Pictures

Hi everyone! About a year ago I made a decision to stop telling everyone I meet about my weight loss success as I no longer wanted my weight to be part of me...instead I have been trying to figure out a way that I can use my weight loss success to encourage others who are battling to help them realize that they too can make the changes necessary to live a healthier and fulfilling life. This post is one way for me to begin helping others...below is my story.

I really was not overweight until I was around 17 years of age...and with the exception of about a year from age 18 to age 30 I weighed more than 200 pounds. My husband and I have been married for 13 years this year and from the time I met him until I turned 30 (almost 3 years ago) I gained 90 pounds. Over the years I tried any diet you can think of and was trying to find the easy way to lose weight. I used every excuse in the book and always put off starting my diet on Monday. Food controlled every part of my life, celebrations, misery, boredom, etc... Because I would play volleyball two to three times a week I fooled myself into thinking that I was active...however, when the only other thing I would do is watch television.

My ah-ha moment happened when I was looking through pictures taken when I went on vacation to California to celebrate my 30th birthday with my best friend. The pictures were taken on 6/15/2008. When I returned from vacation it took me about a month and a half to finally get off my butt and do something about my weight. I began counting my calories, changing my eating habits, and exercising regularly on 8/1/2008. Luckily my husband began the journey along with me.

I began at my heaviest weight of 275 pounds and to date I have lost 93 pounds. I still have around 23 to 33 pounds left; however, I just returned from vacation and decided it was time for me to post some updated before and after pictures. The pictures below were taken exactly 2 years and 11 months apart. Even though I still watch quite a bit of television and play volleyball, I now workout regularly and have found that I have a passion for running. I have found over the years how several small changes can add up to huge changes in my life. I ran my first mile in April 2009 and have since ran several 5k, and 10k races, 2 half marathons, and a full marathon. I like using myfitnesspal as it gets myself back on track I fall off the wagon. I am not concerned about falling off the wagon as I feel the most important thing is to get back on track.

I hope my story helps encourage others to keep on with their personal journey. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know.

Take care!
Trisha