A year ago (truly my start time):

I could not skooch close enough to the table to not spill food from my spoon going to my mouth. I ruined a lot of tops with greasy droplets.

I could not sit for a long time without my legs going a bit numb from being bent at the knee.

I could not get my winter coat buttoned so I got cold.

I decided what to wear by what fit and the options were dwindling.

One year ago...

I could not run for more than 30 seconds, I don't think I could run at all
I had to buy clothes exclusively in plus size stores and settle for what was there
People sometimes treated me as though I was disabled (which I only realized as I lost weight and reflected back)
I could not cross my legs *I love doing this now!*

I teared up while reading this thread. All of your comments apply to my life a year ago. Seriously, every single one of them.

A year ago I could only do 10 minutes on the lowest setting on a recumbent bike. This morning I ran 8 miles in 80 minutes, without stopping.

I absolutely loathed getting groceries by myself because carrying them all into the house when I got home was excruciating. I had to take my outside stairs one leg at a time for fear that my knees would give out under my weight. So, you can imagine how long it would take me to bring in a trunk load of groceries.

A normal-sized bath towel did not reach all the way around me. Now there is room to spare.

A year ago, I had to lean forward to see my feet. My tummy was in the way and due to that, and wearing simple shoes like Crocs, I accidentally wore my house slippers to the store one time and didn't realize it until after I returned home. How embarrassing!! It sounds funny but I was mortified. Now I wear my professionally-fitted running shoes everywhere. (Just in case the mood strikes and I feel like running-LOL)!

Seriously though, there are so, so many things I can think of. My life is new. I am thrilled. I am so proud of each and every one of you.

i really want to post some of these wonderful things one year from now! heck, even 2 months from now. i am having a terrible time. it's TIME for a change. i especially would love to run again some day. i'm afraid those days are behind me. i guess i'd even like to walk for 80 minutes if it wasn't terribly boring or painful. you all ROCK! congrats! thnx 4 the inspiration!

These goals are well within your reach. The whole point of this thread is that it happens in a remarkably short period of time. That year is going to pass by whether you lose the weight and move more or not. Here's to one year!

These are exciting! Keep them coming. I love the visualizing the changes that may be coming for me.

Thanks for this thread everyone, I needed it. what a motivator!!

In only 3 months I am noticing changes, cant wait for the one year ones. (I don't have to "hoist" myself into my suv anymore, I can just "step up" into it. The one I am waiting for, is not needing a seatbelt extender.

There are truly too many to count, but 2 I know:

a year ago, i didn't think 'getting it done' was possible, that i was doomed to be fat forever

a year go, walking places as a default was impossible. There's a video store about a 15 minute walk away, and for 20 years i DROVE there. Never even occurred to me to walk there! ever! Now I only walk there! and only walk to the drug store 1/2 hour away! Only walk to a LOT of places now!

One year ago I could walk up two flights of stairs without taking a break and the walk from the parking garage at work to my office seemed like torture.

Now I take the stairs every time and I enjoy the walk to/from the garage as a time to get my thoughts together.

(I don't have to "hoist" myself into my suv anymore, I can just "step up" into it.)

This! My husband actually pointed it out to me one day when I hopped in. It was really ALL I could do to get in it a few months ago.

Could someone PLEASE sticky this thread? This has got to be one of the most inspiring threads I have read here.

CONGRATULATIONS to ALL of you AMAZING LADIES!!!!!!!!!