I did it. 285 to 149. Size 26w to size 8. Yes!!!
 

I have been so busy out living life and having fun that I realized I hadn't shared with you all that I reached my goal!

I'm so thankful for all of the support I have received here. I went into lurk mode often, but just being here is motivation by osmosis!!

There are lots of progress pictures in my mini-goal threads that are linked in my signature, but here's a before & after.
http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/...2012-07-26.jpg

I was (and still am when I need to be) a calorie counter. I used My Fitness Pal website and app to log all of my food. My friends on there were critical to my success - I knew that I would get cheers for meeting my goal each day. I exercised, but off and on, and I am a full believer in diet for weight loss, exercise for fitness. I know there is room for improvement on my fitness and that gives me a new project.

I always thought I was happy before. I had a great family, great job, a home, friends, etc. But now I am HAPPY. It's hard to explain. I walk around with a dumb grin on my face half the time. I am more outgoing & friendly, I get out of the house more, my house is cleaner - like it's all coming together. I am learning to live in the moment rather than in the future.

re:
 

WOW! You look great! :D

Most excellent! Congratulations!

You are an amazing inspiration! Great job.

Phenomenal!!! Feels great doesn't it?

I know what you mean by walking around with a dumb grin on your face!!! People I don't know see me and they see just a guy who is a little overweight ( still have some to lose, hence goal #2). Little do they know where I used to be :)

I am so happy for you! Congratulations! :carrot:

Fantastic transformation, you look great :D well done!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You look marvelous. All of your hard word has paid off.

Congrats! You look great!

You are pretty in both photos but Wow - you're half the woman you were!!!

What an inspiration. :carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot:

You look amazing! Now that you can see the bone structure in your face you look so beautiful! congrats!

Hooray for you!! You look super fabuolous!!! Great job, you are an inspiration!!

Wonderful! Very inspirational.

It's great to see calorie counters lose weight, and I love hearing that weight loss can happen without going crazy at the gym. It's hard enough to start eating healthy, I think fitness should come when you're ready for it.

You've done an amazing job! You look wonderful, and I definitely agree with things coming together--some of the great "side effects" of weight loss--more energy, more confidence, etc. Great work!