Goal met, just in time for my 50th birthday!

So, today is my 50th birthday, and it is with great satisfaction that I'm able to share with you all that this morning mister scale says I'm at 157.5 lbs (down from 224), and this has been my morning weight (+- about 1 lb) for the past week, which translates to a BMI of 24.7, down from 35.1. I feel comfortable saying that I have finally achieved my goal of 159.5, and BMI < 25. This is a weight loss of 67 lbs, in about 8 or 9 months, and at the time I set as my goal. WooHoo!

I know that one of the first places I looked when I first joined this site was this "success stories" section, and I looked forward to the day that I too could post that I'd hit my goal. So, to all of you folks just starting out - I remember exactly how you feel now (it wasn't that long ago), that the task is daunting, and perhaps you've tried to get to a healthy weight and lifestyle before, but didn't do it for one reason or another. Well, I am here to tell you that not only is it possible, but you WILL succeed, if you follow the simple formula of this site, without adding unnecessary complexity. That formula is simply

Rule 1: Calories in < calories out. (meaning - eat fewer calories than you expend)
Rule 2: Get some exercise, for crying out loud.

Very intuitive, and simple. I didn't say easy, I said simple.... though you will find that after a short adjustment period, it's not even very hard.

I would also implore you to read the quote in my signature, below - which I stole from someone else's signature (I don't remember who's, but thanks, whoever you are). That quotation is not necessarily about getting healthy physically, but it fits pretty well in this context. That quote has helped me greatly, at times of temptation to over-indulge and times when I wanted to blow off exercise.

Also, some of you new folks might be here because you have similar health issues to myself, all of which are side effects of, or are compounded by being overweight: High cholesterol, type II diabetes, high lipids, high resting heart rate, high blood pressure (well, my bp was only marginally high) and more. I am also happy to report that all of the above are now, for myself, in the normal range. I now take only a tiny fraction of the meds I used to - and none of the strong ones. It looks like I will end taking even those last few meds shortly. My doctor says that if I can maintain, I've probably increased my life expectancy by 15 to 20 years. And I will maintain, because my health is important to not only me, but also my teenage daughter. I will do whatever I can to be around for her, for as long as I can be - as my parents have done for me.

Some of you might be here for other reasons, such as making yourself more attractive to the opposite sex (or whatever sex you wish to attract). I can tell you that my love life has improved dramatically. I'm still single, but I have far more opportunities than I did just a few months ago. (It's actually a challenge - albeit a pleasant one - to figure out this dating thing, at this stage in my life)

So, just one more bit before the orchestra starts playing, and they escort me off the stage:

Thanks to all of my MFP friends for providing support, but especially Shelly Macchi, who seems to be traveling a very similar path to myself. Although I'm not as outspoken as you, I appreciate seeing your frequent notes (and your self-styled emoticons *S*)

Now, for my next trick, I will learn how to maintain this weight and perhaps redistribute it a bit better.

I wish I had some better "before" pics, but...