One Year Ago....
 

One morning I work up and said, "Enough of this - I'm sick of being this way!". I rummaged through my fridge to find some healthy snacks to bring to work with me and vowed to exercise as soon as I got home from work. That was one year ago today. Every day I still wake up and bring a healthy lunch/snacks with me and exercise as soon as I get home from work. I haven't done anything special. Like so many others here, there was no magic pill. It takes hard work and dedication. It took just one small mini victory to spur me on to another, and another. With each accomplishment I had, I just pushed on to the next. So - what did one year of this commited lifestyle change give me?

My energy and fitness levels have increased so dramatically that I'm still amazed when I can do something that I had trouble doing before. I had such severe foot pain that I required orthodics all the time, I threw them out about 5 months ago. My snoring has subsided completely. I've gone from wearing a size 20W to a size 8 (6 sometimes depending on the make). I have bones and muscles all over my body that I had completely forgotten existed. I can cross my legs. I have lost 97 pounds and have only 11 pounds until I reach my goal weight! I have the knowledge to make this change permanent.

3FC is such a wonderful place. It's really the only place I can go where people truly understand the head games, the struggles, and celebrate in even the tiniest little victories. I'm sticking around here for the long haul and my goal for this next year is to come back and let you all know how I made out in my first year of maintaining. Thanks everyone!!!!

~Dee

congrats! I would be so proud of myself!

Well, with such wonderful success, I believe it is time for before and after pics!! You have done an outstanding job! Congratulations, I know it is very hard.

That is awesome. My decision point came nearly 2 years ago but personal struggles put my weight loss journey on hold. My renewed decision point came a few months ago and after some struggles, I think I'm on the right path again.

Thanks for sharing Dee.
You have done such a great job. You have been very inspiring to me since I started back in February. Its been exciting to watch your progress and you are always giving lots of support to others. I hope you intend to stick around even when you meet your goal and help the rest of us as we join you.

Congratulations Dee. That is so awesome. You are a true inspiration around here.

Dee I just have to say ditto to the rest of all that was said. You have done a lot and are a great inspiration. On top of that you stay possitive and upbeat and encouraging to everyone. Thank you for that. It really helps to see people succeed and to have them help the rest of us that are still struggleing. THANK YOU!!!!

Trish

I am so proud of you. You have done so well and you have almost accomplished your final goal. It's right around the corner. I just want to say that I am trying to follow in your footsteps - each mini goal for me is the same - it spurs me on to the next goal. No excuses for me - just hard work and keep on going and going and going.

I have noticed that you are a "no excuses" type person and that is what it takes to do this. That isn't to say that small set-backs don't occur because they do, but that is life. Life has never been without set-backs in any other area, and weight loss is no exception. You just have to learn to buck up and pick yourself up by your bootstraps and carry on.

11 pounds to go - they will be off in no time. I am half way to goal - I have lost exactly half of what I want to (unofficially as of this morning, tomorrow is weigh-in day) so I will keep this up until I'm where you are.

Don't leave us after that 11 pounds is gone. We need you here to help cheer us on. :carrot: :carrot: :carrot:

Congratulations!!!

DNR

What a wonderful first post to read this morning! Thanks for the inspiration, Dee! Since beginning my new lifestyle on Janurary 5th, you have helped me too many times to count ... your simple, no-nonsense and committed attitude towards getting healthy is infectious. I too will be so happy to be finished with foot pain and orthotics. That will be a huge "NSV". Cheers to healthy foods and lots of exercise!!

You're amazing, Dee. :yes: You're a beautiful person, inside and out, and I'm so proud of you for what you've achieved. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

Thank you for sharing! I, too, would love to see before/after pics.

what a difference a year makes -- you have a great attitude, and what you've done is a real inspiration. Like Carol said, I know it's very hard.

Dee, you are such an inspiration to us all. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished.

Dee.. what you wrote was such an inspiration. Copy that. and keep it! I am where you were one year ago. When you said you take one small victory and build on it that really made a lot of sense to me. I would love to see this all at once.

I've always thought that even if I lost 20 lbs life would be easier... if that took 6 months... that would be okay.. that's less then 1 lbs a week.. I can do that.

Thank You for being here!

Dee, what a wonderful post! You truly are an inspiration to everyone here. Congratulations on all your success--you've earned it!

Wow DEE, what an awesome post. You have always been such a huge inspiration and such a positive force on this site. I love seeing your smiling face and hearing what you have to say. So close to goal, but already reaping the rewards!!!

It really makes me think when I hear about the after life that I long for. A life without the foot pain and with endless energy. Thanks for being you!!! :hug: & CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Well done, you're so close to goal now and I know you'll make a huge success of maintenance.

:woo: Dee! You have read my mind, it has almost been a year since I joined and I was thinking of posting something similar. You are such an inspiration and I am SOOOOO proud of you. In year I hope to be in the same position. Don't forget about us when you move into the Maintenence Forum!

Wow Dee, you are truely inspiring. And sounds like you are completely on track and focused now :) Congrats to you, it's hard to work stay focused on weight loss.

-Aimee

What a huge accomplishment!! WTG!!

Dee, You have come so far in this year. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments. You are so close to goal too. :)

Happy Anniversary! :cheers: :gift: :cp: Time to treat yourself to something nice!

Congratulations, Dee. I'm very happy for you!

Dee, what a FANTASTIC post!!!! We are so proud of you, and you must be as well. It's so inspiring to see real live success stories at 3FC!

See you over at Maintainers! :D

Dee!

That was an awesome post! It really inspired me!

Hugs,
Elaine
241/236/130
Since 6/20/06

That is awesome. I hope that in a year from now, I am posting something similar. I'm sure the time flew by and yet you were able to do this wonderful thing for yourself.

Dee, you inspire so many people who would probably not post so on behalf of them all I say thank you and congrats!!!

Good on ya Dee! :) You are right, there is no magic pill, one must do all the hard work for oneself and it is very difficult at times, so congrats to you!

What a fab post! I really needed it today. Keep up the great work, and I am so proud of what you have accomplished!

Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! :D :dance:

Your story is so inspiring!! Keep up the great work!

Wow you are FANTASTIC and all within one year! That is inspirational! I sure want to walk in your non orthodic shoes!!! Stick around! We need your input to keep us on the straight and narrow

Dee,

Yours was the first post I read this morning and what a wonderful way to start the day. I am very proud as so many have already said of your accomplishment. I had a really stressful yesterday and this morning was not looking too good at all until I read your post. I feel better. You made my outlook better and I have a clearer focus.

I read your responses and comments often and I think about how you have your own mini gym at home. I love to exercise now and it gets me angry when miss out.

:hug: Your commitment and dedication are truly inspiring. :hug:

what a gift you' ve given to me. thank you.

Way to go, Dee! Somehow it just seems impossible to lose my 60 extra pounds, but seeing that you lost 100 in a year gives me such hope. Are you going to post photos?

Joan

Dee, you gorgeous lady, your amazing, and so inspirational. Your transformation has been amazing, you look so beautiful and I'm really proud of you!!!

Way to go!!!!

What an awesome post,thanks for sharing that...and a HUGE congratulations in your success!