1 year progress, 80+ lb lost, PICS

This is my one year progress post. I started this journey a year ago, on somewhat of a whim. I had just gotten a fancy new phone and decided that there must be "an app for that". I tried several and quickly settled on MFP. I never thought it would work, but I figured it couldn't hurt anything, so I gave it a try.


I have lost over 80 lbs since this time last year. I have lost roughly a foot off my waist and hips, and about 10 inches off my chest. I have dropped from a very forgiving size 22 to a 12. I have not starved myself, I am not hungry, and I don't have a personal trainer. I made small changes and worked on consistency. I haven't given up any foods, but I am now incredibly aware of serving sizes and labels. I never knew that a serving size of Doritos is about 6 chips. Who eats 6 chips?! I still eat junk food from time to time, but I always read the label. I watch what I eat and exercise. This is not groundbreaking stuff, but it still takes work and attention.

People have asked what my best advice is for losing weight, and I would say that for me, knowing how to cook is a must. I am amazed at how much extra "junk" is in packaged foods. Foods that could be fairly healthy for you become loaded with fat, sodium, sugar, and calories. Eating food I make myself is the only way I know how to get enough to eat and not feel hungry. I would rather eat an entire bowl of squash for lunch than 6 Doritos. Grilled chicken from a fast food place magically has twice the sodium of grilled chicken I make at home.

I know I am not an expert, and I know I have a ways to go. But I also know what has worked for me. I am posting this because I think people are chased away from healthy lifestyles by gimmicks and "special foods". I want people to see that losing weight and living healthier are not dependent on shakes or meal plans or 10-day cleanse diets. I want people to realize that even a small step in the right direction can make a difference. Feel free to ask me your questions.

Here are more pics, since I'm sure that's why you clicked on this in the first place.