One year and 89 lbs later (w/pics)...

I hit my one year anniversary today, 365 days of logging on MFP, yay! I have been waiting to post progress pictures for a big milestone; one year, or hitting my goal. I was hoping both of those things would be happening around the same time, although I haven't hit 100 lbs, 89 lbs is nothing to scoff at!

March 2010: 275lbs+, Not exactly sure what my heaviest was since I was to chicken to step on the scale for awhile, but when I finally did (about a month after making "better food choices") I was 275, I'm assuming at some point I was heavier. This pic was taken almost a year before I started MFP, but since I avoided being in pictures like the plague, my photo choices were limited...a special thanks to Facebook and my shutterbug friends & family for giving my something to work with!

April 2011: 230 lbs, this was Easter and my family was already seeing results

November 2011: 186lbs, 89 lbs down from one year ago!



It was easy at first, I was super motivated and the weight just seemed to fall off, but the further I got, the slower the progress got (as you can see by my chart). I have hit some plateaus, and it has been tough at times, but I have been constantly heading in the right direction...



I am so happy with my progress so far and I am not about to stop now! I have another 11 pounds to hit my initial goal and I plan on setting an additional goal of getting into a "healthy" weight range, under 155 lbs. Its so funny, people are always asking how I did it, thinking I had some secret, and I tell them the old fashion way, modified diet and exercise, I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel here. I log every bite (those little tastes add up), make good food choices (seriously limit fried foods & processed sugar and choose whole grains whenever I can) and I make it a priority to do some sort of exercise at least 4 times a week (I don't always want to do it, but I don't give myself a choice in the matter).

My Fitness Pal has been a god send! This website & app gives me something to be accountable to everyday, at every meal. It makes me aware of every calorie I am taking in, even when the information is not available on the food, at least I have a rough number. The message boards have been full of helpful information and amazing motivation when I am having a hard day, I have never been alone in this THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!!