My One Year Progress With Before and After Pictures -- 86 lb

I have been overweight since I was in my early twenties. I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I would always be heavy. I was having a few health problems, but nothing too serious. The thing that bothered me was that every time I went to the doctor, it seemed I had something else wrong or I needed a different type of medication. I had tried dieting before but every time I would reach a plateau, I would get discouraged and “fall off the wagon”.

One day while visiting my Mom and Dad, Daddy said he was really worried about me because of my weight. I knew I didn’t want to worry them or my husband and that I needed to do something, but quite frankly I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to be healthier so that I could be around for my family and be able to play with my precious grand children. I told them that I didn’t want them to worry but I just needed to be “psyched up” and ready mentally to go on a diet, and change my lifestyle. I knew if I wasn’t ready I would only fail again, and I didn’t want that to happen. I have read before that losing weight is 100% mental and the physical part is just an added benefit. I needed the strength and I felt like I just didn’t have it. In fact, I didn’t have the strength to do anything and that included walking from the house to the car without “huffing and puffing”.

My husband and parents at that point were the only “encouragers” I had. I began searching the web for weight loss tips, advice, and ideas to keep motivated. I ran across a link to MFP and clicked on it. I read several testimonials of how tracking calories and the exercise calories burned helped keep people motivated. I also read that you can makes friends with others who have some of the same problems, and are facing the same battle. I decided to give it a try! I thought this might be what it would take to keep me motivated and looking forward not back. After all, it seemed in the past the reason I got discouraged and quit was the lack of motivation or encouragement.

God gives me strength every day to fight this battle. I know that even though my family loves me, God loves me more. He doesn’t want me to be sick and unhealthy. I should do my part and that includes making my health a priority. I need to stop putting myself on the back burner and doing other things instead. I know that our bodies are the temple of God, and we should not destroy them.

I made a promise to myself that I will do this and I will do it in a healthy way. I started eating healthy and exercising every day. There are no fad diets or quick fixes to lose the kind of weight that I need to lose. I have realized that even if it takes me three years to lose this weight, I took me 22 years to put it on. So, I will keep pressing on.

I have been on my fitness journey for 12 months and have lost 86 pounds and 58 inches. I have had many rewards so far from the weight I have lost. The first and greatest reward was my last doctor visit when he took me off of my blood pressure/ fluid medication and anti – inflammatory for arthritis and bone spurs. Second, would be that I can walk 4 or 5 miles at a time and not be struggling to breathe. Third would be shopping in regular stores again, and not having to go to the big women clothing stores. Another is seeing the look on people faces when they ask how much I have lost and I tell them. I say this because I know there are many who doubted my ability to do this and I am sure many still doubt that I can keep the weight off. But what they don’t understand is that I am focused on my goal and my stubbornness is helping me to continue on. I will continue to lose this weight by proper diet and exercise, and then maintain it in the same way. I still have 65 pounds to lose, but I will make it because I am now more motivated than ever. I still have my husband, and parents as my “encouragers”. Plus, I have my walking partner and Friend Lynn who keeps me laughing when I want to cry. I also have a very supportive and wonderful church family, and some great MFP’s on this site.

My advice to others would be to surround yourself with people who love you and want what is best for you. Find people who have the same goals and are fighting a weight loss battle also. But don’t let anyone (including yourself) sabotage your weight loss efforts. Don’t tell yourself that you cannot do this. If you need a friend, feel free to send a friend request and I will try to help you all I can.

I have included some before and after pictures. I hope you will be inspired and understand that if I can do this, you can too. Best wishes on your journey…