160 pounds off... Maintained for almost 2 years

reboot1818 · February 2019

I waited a long time to post a success story. I think there are lots of successes in life, but also lots of challenges. I wanted maintenance to be part of the success! Now I've kept the first 50 pounds off for more than five years, and I've maintained within ten pounds of my lowest weight for about 2 years now. It was both easy and hard. Easy because it was just calories in versus calories out, and hard because it takes a lot of consistency and practice. Weight loss isn't the only or most important success, but it does feel good. At my heaviest, I was over 300. I lost the first 80 pounds before MFP, and about 80 since joining. Thanks to everyone for the support, inspiration, and fun.

Fflpnari · February 2019

Amazing!!

mariag5846 · February 2019

Congratulations a real inspiration thank you for sharing.

Sew3rin · February 2019

Way to go!!!

dhiammarath · February 2019

Wow! Amazing! Congratulations on not only weight loss but maintenance!

imxnianne · February 2019

So did skin tighten up with 2 years mt?

reboot1818 · February 2019

My skin is definitely tighter than it was at first. I do also think I was lucky in that my skin wasn't ever as loose as it gets for some - at least based on pictures I've seen of some people after similar amounts of weight loss. I'm not sure if that difference was because at least some of my early weight loss was pretty gradual or if I just have slightly more elastic skin.

When I first lost the weight I was much more unhappy with my skin than I am now. I thought pretty seriously about surgery. I also thought it was important to have more than a year of maintenance behind me to ensure the best results for any reconstruction. If I was going to invest that kind of time, potential pain, and money, I wanted to have the best odds for liking the outcome.

It is interesting that while I was waiting for that first year to end, I came to appreciate this body. I'm sure that was partly because the look of the skin improved. But also, like any of my other scars and differences, it feels like part of who I am and where I've been. I can't say that will never change and I won't opt for surgery. It can be frustrating when I see my stomach and know that lots of what I see there is skin and not fat. But mostly I feel good and I don't even mind these reminders that I did something I never thought I could or would do.

chasitystiff160 · February 2019

You look great when your maintaining do you still have to count your calories

beatthereaper2016 · February 2019

Simply amazing! I really appreciate that you wanted the lasting result. What a fantastic outcome for a beautiful soul. I love that you are smiling all the way through.

yweight2020 · February 2019

Amazing, thanks for sharing. You inspire

reboot1818 · February 2019

I still count calories because it helps me maintain. I'm sure some people don't need to but I still find it worthwhile and a good way to keep thinking about what I eat.

jasonpoihegatama · February 2019

wow good one!!!

Dame_sans_merci · February 2019

You look fabulous.

linda2017th · February 2019

Congrats! And thank you for sharing. Needed to see a lost like this right now. I agree that the weight loss (for me 70lbs) was both easy and difficult for the reasons you note. For the past six months, I've been in maintenance and it feels like as much of a success for me, too.