2/3 of the way to goal (with pictures)

Wow... I bet you feel a million times better. You look strong and healthy now... who is in your lap there? Bet she's happy with the change. Keep up the amazing work!

That is my daughter Addie...she has been my inspiration to keep going. She was three at that time, and I couldn't get on the floor to play with her without a forklift to pick me up it seemed. I would lose my breath, couldn't run around and play with her...I was miserable. The breaking point was when the doctor told me my heart was giving out, I was pre-diabetic, I had fatty liver, and probably wouldn't make it five years, let alone see her graduate.

I knew something had to change, but at that size and weight I needed some oomph, so I had gastric bypass in July of 2003. It required a completely different mindset, changing of habits, and 100% total dedication. It has been 9 years, and the past 5 have been plateaus, ups and downs, and pain. For awhile I went off the plan and forgot where I had come from. My lowest point was 200 lbs. and a size 14, but I also had shot up to 290 and a size 28 at my highest in the past 5 years. I started at 450, so really 290 wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great either. When I divorced my ex-husband in 2007, I re-examined my priorities and found myself again. I got back down to my lower point only to get lazy again and shoot back up to 275.

I started MFP because I work for a nutritional company and have 100% committed myself to getting down to my goal weight of 175 once and for all and stay there. I am making healthy choices about what goes into my mouth, and working out - something I had pretty much refused to do up until now.

Since 2003, my heart is healthy, my blood sugar is within normal ranges, and my liver is no longer fatty. I have energy and focus, and my mental health is completely better. It takes a total change in mindset, and you have to tell yourself "I CAN DO IT", but in the long run, the more I lose, the more I win!