How Far Have You Come?

SW 283 February 17, 2011 (joined a gym; found MFP)
LW (also lowest adult weight) 198 April 15, 2012 (and then I started weight training ... sitting at 201 this morning after an instant 10lb water gain)

SS: 22, XXL shirts
CS: 10s and 12s, M shirts

In the last 15 months I've joined a gym, did a 5K, purchased my very first bikini (not for public consumption...yet), became a Zumba fanatic, RAN a mile in 12 minutes (even with chronically bad knees), and am, finally, not the "fat sister" ... I'm about the same size as the sister whose body I coveted for so long, probably with better muscle tone.

So many people have said this, but I mostly curse myself for not doing this sooner.

280 pounds lost since Jan 2010 by good ole fashion hard work!

officially started in 2009 after i spent summer 2008 in Florida an when i looked at the pics of me i was disgusted but it took me a while to get the motivation to start there have been a few pitfalls along the way but am proud to say since then i have lost 56 pounds and 3 dress sizes still got about 7 pounds to go

SW 283 February 17, 2011 (joined a gym; found MFP)
LW (also lowest adult weight) 198 April 15, 2012 (and then I started weight training ... sitting at 201 this morning after an instant 10lb water gain)

wow. I reminder as to why I shouldn't focus on the scale! 10lbs!!!:huh:

It's been a year and a half since I *thought* my life ended, little did I know, my life was only beginning.
I decided it was MY time to do things for me. I was sick of having to ask to do things, in a super *unhappy* controlling relationship. I joined MFP and started at 180. I've gone down to 144-149 and I have lost a total of 14 inches! 14!
I've found I've plateaued. Portion control and cutting out sodium and bad sugars wasn't enough. I needed something to give me that extra push.
Every year one of my friend's organizes a biggest loser challenge. Last year, I felt like a loser, so I didn't want to join. This year, I *wanted* to be a loser, in all the right ways. I am learning to eat healthier, I'm learning that exercise isn't the devil. I've worked out every day since the 30th of April, and I feel wonderful! Working out has definitely helped me mentally, and I feel, *awesome*!
I joined the challenge because I want a lifestyle change, I want to lose the last bit of weight and get to my goal weight, the weight I'm comfortable at (115-120) and along the way, I want to gain muscles and knowledge, about who I am, and what clean eating is. I no longer want to rely on easily prepared meals anymore, they are SO easy to grab and ruin your day!

I feel like I've come a long way I've gained a lot of new friends and I have learned a lot of things on the way, and I am so excited to learn more.

I'm going to jump in on this one.

Back in 2010, I started a weight loss journey. I joined a gym, started eating better, and worked out consistently. Then I got a job as an overnight stocker at Wal-Mart. So not only did I hit the gym, I also had a very physically demanding job. I managed to go from 162 to 128 in about a year. Then I found out I was pregnant. During my pregnancy, I watched what I ate, but didn't really exercise. I also indulged my cravings when they hit. Even so, I didn't gain more than 20 pounds. Now, 10 months later, I'm back up to 153. I just, didn't care, about keeping any of the weight off. I didn't notice it, but I think I had Post-Partum Depression. Anyways, I just got back on track. I've successfully managed to track my food for almost 3 weeks, and I have started exercising. I'm noticing small changes, even though the scale hasn't moved significantly yet. Right now it's mostly about reestablishing those good habits.

60 pounds down since last June. It's been almost a year since I realized how far I'd let myself go, and I know I've come a long way since then. Not just physically with my weight, but emotionally, mentally, and through my strength I have found peace of mind I never thought I could grasp. I lost most of that weight on my own, but the last 15lbs I lost with the help of MFP. It's been a hard road, but I'm so glad I traveled down it and continue not to stray too far.

I don't know how it is for other people... but I think I've reached a point in my life where I've started thinking more and more about my mortality. Life is short. Very short for some of us, sadly. I want to make my life as good as it can be for as long as I can.

Last June, right before I joined the gym, I weighed in at 207 (hence the impetus to join the gym along with a friend). I lost about 15-16 lbs. before joining MFP in March. And now, I'm happy to say when I weighed myself this morning, I was 185 3/4, so 21 1/4 lost so far.