Thankyou everyone - 45lb gone because of you all! (pics)

Hello!
I joined MFP May (ish) 2010. I recently had moved to the USA from the UK and PILED on the pounds. I have always been a 'buxom' lady, but I hit an all time high! A combination of 'being on vacation' family visits, portion sizes (WOW!) and cold weather = no running.

Everyone has always told me that I never needed to loose any weight, I never looked fat and I was well proportioned. Growing up in an Italian family never taught me portion control, but it did teach me to love yourself - which I did.

My husband loves me, no matter how I look. I love myself too, but much more these days

When the warmer weather hit, a friend and I decided to hit the trails running again. At this stage I think I was about 200lbs, maybe more. WOW. It was so HARD! I know that the humidity didn't help, but this was something more.

I had always wanted to run a marathon, and faster, so in light of the extra weight and how much harder it would be to run in this climate, I decided to do something about it. I joined MFP. I changed the way I perceived food.

Soon, a couple pounds became 5, became 10, became 15..... I found the ipod app, and, in all honesty, became addicted to logging my food! Not in an obsessed way, but in a "that has HOW MANY calories??!!"

I learnt portion control, how to eat healthier in restaurants (a big thing and a hard thing in the US), that I can't just exercise and eat what I want, when to say no, and P90x!!!

I ran, completed portions of P90x, Jillian's 30 day shred, and started the 20 pushup/sit up/squat challenges. I also see a personal running trainer to help me with speed workout on a track.

I still have around 10lbs to go to get to my 'BMI' ideal weight. I am still overweight by his, but I am not too concerned. I know I have put on lots of muscle in this journey, which may mess the numbers up! I feel happier, fitter and I have gone from a UK18/US 16 to a UK10/US8 and can now run a 10min mile pace rather than a 12min mile pace!!

I just wanted to say a massive THANK YOU to the MFP community. Without people being so supportive, and posting their own before and after pictures, I would have never had the inspiration to follow.

So here are mine!

Sept 2009 - my first half marathon in the UK



April 2010 - my largest, probably over 200lb


April 2010 - with my mum


New Year 2010 - I was around 180ish


March 2011 - around 165-170


And these are NOW!! 155lb.

In my running top I wore in 2009!!



As a bridesmaid


Just out for the night!


THANK YOU EVERYONE!! I hope my pictures can inspire someone like I was inspired!!!