So far so good...

SaraMakingChanges · May 2018

I joined MFP in July 2016 and spent the next 10 months wasting time and barely committed to logging but managed to lose about 10 lbs and finally find just that little bit of confidence that I needed to take it to the next level - full commitment to logging and trying to stay under.

At my highest weight I was 410 lbs and barely able to walk. I avoided socializing and spent most of my time sitting alone, eating and drinking myself towards an early grave. So many of my thoughts about myself at that time were extremely negative. Self loathing, depression, suicide, guilt, shame - these were always playing in the back of my mind.

When I started on full commitment mode I had a lot to learn and I made a lot of mistakes. But slowly changing what I ate, how I cooked and working to increase my activity level from zero to something - anything - started to work! I started to gain confidence and see that every time I avoided temptation I was winning. It's not about the war, it's about the outcome of each little battle that you have with yourself, with temptation.

I've gotten this far with some wonderful family - who patiently walked my pace as I slowly gained strength and ability; my MFP friends - who motivated, inspired and encouraged me; and with a heck of a lot of patience.

I am so grateful that I found this tool and the amazing community connection. I am so grateful to my body for healing itself and accepting my gradual changes - and doing what it's supposed to do by shedding the fat. I have gained hope, confidence, energy and my most favourite of all - the knowledge that I am capable. I can. I will. I am strong. I am worthy of health, happiness and a fulfilling life.

Thank you

And now on to the next 100!

elothen · May 2018

Wow, I mean wow! What an incredible difference and progress! I'm so glad to hear you've made this decision and am thrilled with what you've done so far! Keep it up, we're all with you, you're awesome!

jonesite · May 2018

That is an inspiring story! Congratulations on the what you have done so far, you look fantastic!

marysabetournay · May 2018

congrats on your weight loss, fabulous job! Keep at it, you can do it!

creationscrown · May 2018

Beautiful!! You are so amazing and SO WORTH IT!!

maxtzis1 · May 2018

Amazing

mkculs · May 2018

Thank you. Your story will help me and, I'm sure, many others. It must feel good to be able to do more--and that alone can be so motivating. I know that getting back to exercising regularly was hard, but being able to do a little bit made me want to be able to do more. Good luck with your next goal.

Eash84 · May 2018

So inspiring, thank you for sharing!

babylovers · May 2018

Your story is stronger than your weight loss and your weight loss is pretty amazing! Your story has a great strength behind it that u found the power and now can tell the whole wide world that u are strong and a warrior. Its so great that everyone is gonna read your story and find some strength in it. Changing yourself and now other people. Awesome job! Keep going and being so vibrant. I have lost 158 pounds so far and I can understand the strength it takes. You remind me of myself a conquer. You will succeed cuz u have the strength it takes.

SaraMakingChanges · May 2018

Thank you so much for the lovely comments and support!!!

Forschlerla · May 2018

You look great !! What a inspiration you are !!!
You go girl !!

SephiraAllen · May 2018

Congratulations!!!

LuvUbutGoodbyeCarbs · May 2018

Great work so far!!!

ghfull · May 2018

So happy for you and your commitment to make your life the best it can be. I love that your family is there to support you. I'm looking forward to reading about your continued success.

glorian13vazquez498 · May 2018

Wow awesome job! You’re beautiful! God bless you.

SaraMakingChanges · July 2018

Thank you so much everyone for all the support. 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
Things are going well. I’ve continued to lose approx 10 pounds per month. I’m getting stronger and so being more and more active is happening naturally. Acquaintances, neighbors, coworkers are all starting to come right out and say - wow you’ve lost so much weight! Old clothes have been taken in or donated. All of this and some days I still feel huge! And I know the reality is, I am both smaller and still too big... I still have about 100 pounds to go until I am at the “correct” weight for my height. Not sure I will ever actually get there... but it’s a soft goal. I just want to find my happy place. Again, thank you so much to each of you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Your support and the support of the MFP community have meant so much to me and have been vital to my success.

jdubois5351 · July 2018

You're approach is really inspiring. Yes, it reaklly comes down to the little daily battles with temptation and being honest with ourselves. You look fantastic in your "after" pic, and I have no doubt, you'll reach your next goal(s). Thanks for sharing

lapierrecyclist · July 2018

You are awesome! Keep doing what you're doing!

solieco1 · July 2018

Oh my goodness I'm so happy this got bumped today so I could read it! What a beautiful story of strength and family and love for yourself and others. You made my day and strengthened my resolve too.

sexybug6 · July 2018

Amazing story and weight loss and you should feel proud of yourself by what you have and can achieve

walking2running · July 2018

amazing! great job.

quiksylver296 · July 2018

So very great!

SaraMakingChanges · December 2018

186 lbs down!

pierinifitness · December 2018

What a delightful sharing to read. What you’ve accomplished is wonderful. Keep marching forward in your health and wellness journey.

bobsburgersfan · December 2018

SaraMakingChanges wrote: »

It's not about the war, it's about the outcome of each little battle that you have with yourself, with temptation.

This is so true, and it's difficult to remember as this process can take so much time.

Amazing job!!! Congratulations on almost 200 lbs lost!

SaraMakingChanges · March 2019

I finally hit the 200 lbs lost milestone this month and to celebrate I went Hiking with my brother and sister in law.

This was a hike that would have been impossible for me to make two years ago, 200 lbs heavier.

I am so grateful for the freedom I've gained and I'm looking forward to many more hikes in the future!

Remoth · March 2019

Wow! Congratulations! You're like a whole new person! I'm in a similar path for myself. 29 lbs down, 200 to go!

motivatedmartha · March 2019

You look amazing and so fit and smiley. So wonderful to be rewarded with the ability to be so active. An inspiration to us all x

SaraMakingChanges · December 2019

Hello everyone, just popping in to give an update on my journey as we near the end of 2019...

This year I got down to around 220 lbs lost. I hit that around May and at that time I had some life events that were pretty stressful including moving. I seem to not handle change well so it’s been a struggle since then with a lot of yoyoing and some return of old behaviours such as binge eating. I’m not hiding my head in the sand about it and I’m trying to work on the root issues that lead to that behaviour so I know I’m not back where I was a few years ago but it’s been scary to see the weight come back rather quickly compared to how long it took to shed it...

I’m currently at about 194 lbs lost so I regained 26 lbs. Currently I’m starting to feel better about my ability to really get back on track. But I’m trying to be reasonable this time around!

Gaining weight back and the way that made me feel with clothes not fitting and my physical and mental health just getting worse instead of better has been a good reminder why it just isn’t worth it to have that short term comfort in food and alcohol even when I’m sad or stressed.

I’m staying in MFP and tracking most days working at getting more consistent there.

My goal for now is to find a steady state and not to put too much pressure on myself to reach some number on the scale. Don’t get me wrong... I want to lose this 26 lbs! But I know that it needs to happen slowly and in a way that I can easily transition to maintenance and not feel starved and desperate once I reach that goal and then go back to the same yo-yo phase.

What I also realized this Spring and Summer when I was finally about 10 lbs away from my goal weight is that being smaller doesn’t magically mean I will have everything I want in life. That was hard to learn as I had some high hopes especially in the love department. I’m being brutally honest here because I need an outlet and I’m not sure if many people would see this but those who have in the past have been nothing but kind and supportive so it feels like a safe place. ❤️

Im sure most people who have been very heavy and then lose weight have some expectations or hopes about relationships. I’ve been on my own for a long time and I’d really like to find someone special one day. But that doesn’t come easy ever, for most of us, and weight loss isn’t going to magically fix all the other reasons I’m single 😅

Anyways, thank you for reading if you’ve gotten this far. I’m not giving up on myself and I guess I’m not done growing up and learning those hard life lessons! And you know what? I’m glad for that. I am still capable of growth and maturing and learning. This means that there is room and ability to improve myself so I am the healthiest I can be, physically and mentally.

I’m forever grateful for MFP and the ongoing support I’ve found on here.

Wishing all of you happiness, health and progress towards your goals in 2020.

corinasue1143 · December 2019

You have come so far—-in so many ways. Not only are you changing your body for the better, but also your life. Congratulations on all you have accomplished, and best of luck with all you hope to accomplish.

So far so good...

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