365th day of logging & 56lbs with pics

Hi everyone - yesterday I reached a major goal. I logged my 365th day on MFP! I couldn't be happier with my success too. I still have about 15 to 20lbs left to go and have every intent on succeeding. But not without all of you, your successes, your pics, and your support.

I started this journey on March 6th, 2011 at 225lbs when I joined a local biggest loser challenge. I put $50 into the pot and began my journey to have the highest % weight loss in 4 months and win $1,500. That was hands down my motivation for starting. I do not deny that at all. I really think that I would not have started this without that chance of winning the $$. Well a few days after starting, I found MFP and I credit my loss to it and you. I started eating better, I joined a gym, I started doing Zumba, walking and swimming, and constantly checking the success stories and pics. 2 months into the challenge I had lost about 25lbs and my daughter, who is 10 and does 8 hours of gymnastics and 4 hours of cheerleading per week said wow mommy, you're doing so amazing and you have so much more energy. That was a wake up call. How could I expect her to be so active and stay fit, while I would eat whatever, never exercise and basically just keep getting bigger. This was the point when my
motivation changed. A healthy family lifestyle! That is what I want. She's been one of my biggest supporters as well as a measuring tool of my loss. In the beginning, when she hugged me, her hands couldn't touch, her fingers couldn't even touch. Now, she can hug all the way around and grab her forearms. :happy:

So at the end of the 4 month challenge, I had lost about 35lbs and although very close, I came in 2nd place in the challenge. But that was okay. I had my new motivation. Although my weight loss slowed down I've kept at it. I'm now at 169lbs as of this morning and couldn't be happier. I hope to get to about 155 by summer and then see how I feel. Maybe I'll need to lose more, maybe I'll just need to tone. I haven't been anywhere close to that range in about 20 years so I just don't know. But I do know, that MFP will be with me throughout and beyond! I thank-you all from the bottom of my heart!

Stats:
Highest weight - 230lbs
MFP start weight - 225lbs
Current weight - 169lbs
Time it's taken - 1 year
Age - 43
Height - 5'7













March 2011 - 225lbs