Hello Everyone! 6 months ago I took a step to claim my life. I am now the smallest I can ever remember being. What a difference 6 months can make.

Starting weight: 272
Current weight: 195.4

I lost 24 pounds before surgery and have lost 52.6 pounds since then. In addition I have lost a total of 35 inches.

Before I was wearing a size 2X or 3X top and even those didn't fit right. Today I comfortable fit into a XL and sometimes even a L.
Before I was wearing a size 20/22 pants. Today I just bought my first pair of size 10 jeans though more realistically I am wearing 12s and 14s.

Before: Running 15 minute miles
Now: Able to hold a 12.5 minute pace over a 9-plus mile run and I'm training for my first marathon.

[img]http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee473/Jessica_Stenstrom/Before and After Pictures - 75 pounds/comparison3.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee473/Jessica_Stenstrom/Before and After Pictures - 75 pounds/comparison2.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee473/Jessica_Stenstrom/Before and After Pictures - 75 pounds/comparison1.jpg[/img]

This has been a rollercoaster journey, but one that I wouldn't change. I thank you all for your support and encouragement and hope this may be an inspiration to someone just starting. Despite my results, I have had many days when I have wanted to cry from frustration of the scale and what seems to be slow progress. My advice would be to take pictures along the journey to help you see the differences and when you are frustrated try to take a step back and look at the larger picture. What I have come to realize is that it took me 29.5 years to put on the weight. It should take time for it to come off healthy.