It has been a while since I told my story. I want to invite others to do the same!!!

In 2016 I was pretty low. I didn't realize how I had let myself go until I saw a pic from my daughter graduating basic training. Most of you have seen the horrible white striped dress pic... it is bad. Just a few months ago, I received the Pic 1 below. It was from her going away party June 2016. I was in the neighborhood of 240 lbs.

October 2016, my husband was called to work out of state due to hurricane damage. I said to myself "I just want to lose 20 lbs while he is gone... just enough for him to notice." I started using MFP and started losing a little. November 2016 I was getting out of the shower and looked at my naked body in the mirror. Something was not right... I have old breast implants and one had ruptured. WTH?!?! Yep, lefty was flat. My next thought was "there is no way I can have these fixed at 230 lbs!!! I called a cosmetic surgeon to make sure I could wait - and I could. More reason to get healthy.

Pic 2... I lost down to 174. I was so happy in my skin, but not were I wanted to be and I could not bring myself to have my lopsidedness fixed. I maintained this weight for about 9 months before the regain began.

Months rolled on and I gained. 2 lbs here, 1 lb there... Before you know it, I was back up to 230. How did this happen? I worked so hard to get it off!! It happened because I was complacent and didn't take action when I saw the creeping up begin. Oh, it's just 5 lbs... Oh, it's just 3 lbs.

Pic 3 was 7/4/2019 - the Peachtree Roadrace. I was 220 or so then. In February of 2020 I was 230ish. My grandson was born that month. I was so unhealthy. I decided he needs a healthy Mimi. 3/1/2020 - I stopped drinking. I did have a hiccup last Sunday and drank, but I am alcohol free otherwise. This has given me the ability to focus.

May 2020 -- my world turned upside down. I moved to Florida to nanny this sweet boy as childcare due to COVID is non existent. I also took this time to focus on myself and my health. I reached my lowest of 166.6 in October of 2020. Big KUDOS to this group for holding my hand thru the process.

I have gotten a little lazy the last few months and floated back up to 179. This damage has been mitigated a bit and I'm heading back down.

Pic 4 was taken yesterday. I am 'feeling' the end coming to the childcare issue and feel it is time to revamp my career.... This is the interview suit I bought. I was 173.6 yesterday. I have been leaning on my accountability partners and feel like I'm getting my head back on straight!!!

My boobs.... As I said last week -- had a scare, but received a clean bill of health. I am calling tomorrow to schedule a consult with a cosmetic surgeon.
Am I where I want to be? No, but I'm pretty darn close!!! I am now learning to be happy with myself. I have to make sure that BEKA is taken care of. I was reminded that I cannot take care of others if I am in pieces.

I feel like I am turning a page and opening a new chapter of my life. I am embracing the changes!