3 years of healthy changes and 76 pounds later.... (pics)

Hey everyone! I've posted here before but I wanted to do an update on my progress.



3 years ago at a doctor's appointment, I stepped on the scale to see that my weight had ballooned up to 302 pounds. After leaving college after a breakup and a fight with depression which resulted to turning to food for comfort, I finally saw what all of those late night binges added up to. I have never been a thin person. I was a pudgy kid, and always bigger than my friends as a teenager. In high school I hovered between 190-220, and at 5'11" that's not terrible, but it was still enough to make me feel like an outcast. Seeing that 302 on the scale was a huge red flag. I mean, I knew I had gained weight, but I didn't realize how serious it actually was. At the age of 21 I was diagnosed with hypertension and put on medication for it. Another red flag. It was then I knew something HAD to change.

I got a part time job working in the nutritional department of a hospital which involved a lot of walking. At first I didn't change my eating much but the weight started to come off because of the increased activity. I then started to become a little more aware of portion sizes. I logged on MFP fairly often and managed to lose about 50 pounds in 6 months. For some reason that I'm not entirely certain of now, I stopped logging for about a year and gained back about 15 pounds. I restarted my journey in November 2015 at 262 pounds- but this time I was armed with a food scale! I have logged into myfitnesspal every day since- I currently have a 285 day streak going- and I have weighed and logged my food every day with the exception of a 1 week mental health break I took recently. Today I'm weighing in at about 225, I completed my first half marathon in May, and I have become a certified personal trainer so that I may help others reach their goals. My goal weight is 180. I currently lift weights 3 days a week and do cardio 6 days a week. My rule when it comes to eating: if I you can't pronounce it, don't eat it. Stay away from chemicals and processed garbage. REAL food is the way to go. And yes, I still eat ice cream and treats, just made with quality ingredients and in moderation.

To those lurking in the threads for inspiration- just get started! Every little healthier choice adds up. Go for a 15 minute walk. Add veggies to your dinner, do SOMETHING for your health each day. This journey is full of challenges, and I still face my old habits trying to come back all the time, but it is SO worth it in the end! Never stop fighting to become the best you you can be! If you have any questions at all, feel free to ask! Also don't be afraid to send me a friend request, I'm on here every day!

Picture time!



The bandages in the first picture were from gallbladder surgery, and I did have a tummy tuck in September 2015 to remove an apron of excess skin.