Before and 65lbs later pics

Wow everyone! I mostly posted these for my family to see the changes. I had no idea it would totally uplift and inspire me like it has. I've never really NEEDED compliments but this time maybe I did and didn't know it. Your reactions and comments have just fired me up to get those last 25 pounds off. Thanks for supporting me and good luck to everyone on their own weight loss journeys.

Love you too Ashlie. How does it make you feel to know that you were the one who introduced me to MFP in the first place. If it wasn't for you I would still be on the couch instead of training for the 5k. You are my inspiration!

oooo you look v v happy - I am around the same weight as your beginning... and am just starting... can you tell me what kept you going and how your lost so much in such a short time??? your resilience - mind set and your top tips if you want to share? thanks

I am far from an expert but I do have a couple of things that have really helped me.

1) Make you journal public. The more people watching you the better.....lol
2} Encourage at least one or two of your friends or family to join. Once you have a couple of new people actually looking to you to show them the ropes on MFP, you will be motivated to set an example. Don't underestimate this one. I use it to motivate myself daily. I have convinced myself that if I fall off, I might discourage my Mom, sister, daughter, brother and sister in-laws to fall off and then I would be robbing them of life and vitality. It's my biggest motivater.
3) Treat your fiber and protein as minimums instead of max. The more calories you spend here, the less room you have for "junk calories". I try to make sure that every snack I have has some sort of nutrient my body needs. Therefore, when it's not fruits or veggies (which I'm not great about by the way....I'm working on it.) I make sure it is high fiber.
4) Get moving. I had not worked anything but my mouth for years! At first I was motivated to move a little just out of hunger. I wanted the extra calories to eat. Greatest thing happened. The more I moved, the better I felt. Now I exercise because it makes me feel incredible! (not to mention what it does for my weight loss) For those who don't think they can....stock fooling yourself....anyone can. You start out small....tiny even. I started walking a little....then 30 second jogs within my walk....I've just gradually increased the length and number of those jogs. It works and everyone can do it at some level.

Anyway, I hope any of this helps. Good luck to everyone on their own journeys and thanks for all the encouragement!