Need friends for 150 pound weight loss!

Hey, you can do this. When I started, at the end of July 2015, I needed to shift 168lbs. I now need to get rid of just another 33lbs.

Getting started is about being motivated to just DO it. Once you're there and motivated, it becomes easier. You start to build habits that become ingrained in your everyday life so you do them automatically, without thinking about it. One of my hardest issues was giving up chocolate. I know that I didn't have to give up chocolate but I'm an all-or-nothing sort of person, if one piece goes in my mouth, it all goes in my mouth. So, to me, chocolate was something to be avoided at all costs. But I managed it, and I don't miss it at all. There are better foods to eat.

I also started walking. Again, at first, I struggled to walk half a mile without becoming a sweaty, hot, red-faced person. But I kept going, every day a little farther. I can now walk miles without thinking about it, and a lot faster. No more sweaty looks for me (although when I take up running that may be a different matter!).

Fast forward to today. I'm 135lbs down. My resting heart rate has gone from 100+bpm to under 60bpm. My blood pressure has dropped considerably. I have loads of energy. I feel - and look - so much better. I can walk miles and not think about it - I hardly ever take the car anymore; I walk all over my town. I cycle 30+ miles a day and my rides are becoming harder (more hills) and faster.

It feels great to be getting fitter and healthier; it's quite a buzz. Just for information, I have been obese for my entire life, from childhood. I don't remember ever being thin. I lost weight a couple of times but for reasons other than me - my husband was seriously ill on one occasion (he's fine now) and for my wedding - that was for appearance's sake, but not for me, if you understand? Once the wedding was over, the weight piled back on. I'm now a lot thinner and fitter than I was when I got married, my dress is now like a tent on me. In fact, I'm fitter and smaller than I EVER remember being, and that includes at school. I hate my old school photos as I just look like a blob in them.

If I can do it, anyone can. Really. I never believed that I'd be able to lose weight and do what I'm doing now but I have, and I am.