50+ pounds gone with pictures!!

Eight months ago, I was the heaviest I have ever been in my life - hovering between 248 and 251 - I joined MFP in April and I am now currently under 200!! MFP has been a total lifestyle change for me . . I went from exercising 0 times per week to now 5-6 times per week and I log virtually everything I put into my mouth.


I used to eat at least 1-2 candy bars per day, fast food 1-2 times per day, etc. - no more!! Yes, I still eat fast food on occasion and I don't feel deprived and I haven't ever felt starved. My "relationship" with food has completely changed. I eat to live, I no longer live to eat.


And I still have lots of stress in my life - work, kids, finances, the usual. Instead of drowning my stress in a bag of chips and/or candy, I go to the gym and work it out. I love swimming most of all. It's great exercise, but it doesn't feel like hard work.
I guess swimming is in my blood - I grew up on a lake and my whole family swims.


Exercise and eating well has brought a great deal of peace into my life - not to mention the health benefits, my blood pressure is lower than it's ever been, I am no longer on the verge of diabetes, I have cut my risk for stroke, heart attack, etc. literally in half.


I still have about 40 (give or take) pounds to go . . but I just want to say "thank you" to all my friends and family who have greatly supported and encouraged me along the way. And most especially my MFP friends, the majority of whom I've never met - but have helped me change my whole life dramatically!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!


On to the pictures . .


Before . .




After . .




A few tips I'd like to pass along that have helped me . .

1. Exercise! It has made all the difference for me! Those days when I don't feel like going to the gym cause
I'm too tired, stressed, etc. - those are the days I need to go most of all. Or at least take a nice,
long walk outside. Exercise increases energy - I didn't believe it before but now, I do!!

2. Eat slowly! Savor every bite. I always used to be the first one finished at any mealtime, now I am almost
always the last. Eating is not a race! I no longer eat in the car, driving to work, etc. either. I feel it breeds
mindless eating and bad habits.

3. Be prepared to fall off the wagon! Sounds funny, but so true. Be kind to yourself and don't beat yourself
up or quit - remember, it's a lifestyle change.

4. Log everything - or as much as possible! I have since April and it has made such a huge difference to see
it in black and white. Even on "cheat" days! It's pretty eye opening when I realize just how many calories
I was probably consuming prior to MFP. And especially sodium. I was a sodium "junkie"! Still a work in
progress on that one - probably always will be!