I just reached a mini-goal, and am here to share my story for my first post!

I made a major life change in August. I got my first teaching job and moved to a remote community in northern Quebec, Canada. At the same time, I decided that it was time to change my body, as well.

When I arrived, I was 210lbs. I did minor exercises on the Wii Fit until I felt ready to go to the gym, and now the Wii Fit is only for my weekly weigh ins. When I started on Wii Fit I was obviously in the obese range, but this week's weigh in brought me down to overweight for the first time. I now weigh 174lbs. There's still a lot farther to go to get down to the normal range I'm aiming for, but I'm actually more than half way!

Living in this community has really allowed me to succeed. There are no restaurants, so I don't feel compelled to treat myself to fast food. All groceries here are flown in, so they're very expensive. Fatty foods I used to eat like chips and chocolate bars cost up to four times as much, and my cheapness wins out over my cravings.

I have also changed the way I eat. I used to eat large portions and I never planned meals in advance. Now I cook a large meal on Sundays, divide it up into individual serving containers, and freeze it for the following week. I thought I'd get bored eating the same thing for lunch and dinner every day, but I like how simple it is to just reheat and eat, and know at the same time that I'm not going to overindulge.

Another thing this community has given to me is more time. I live not even a minute from the school where I teach, so I have more time for exercise. I used to live far away from work and sometimes lost three hours in a day to getting around by bus. By the time I got home I felt so pressed for time that I just grabbed something fast and fatty so I wouldn't have to lose even more time cooking before I started my studies. I find that the more free time I have, the less time I have for excuses to eat poorly and shirk exercise.

Congratulations! It feels great, doesn't it?

congratulations! i'm so happy for you! it always makes me smile when i see 'no longer obese', and even more so when i see people changing their lifestyle in such a good way.
good luck and celebrate this beautiful achievement!

Thank you for the support! It's a great welcome to this site.

It does feel great. My final goal is 145, so I have 29lbs to go.

congrats

big congrats!!!!

Well done - wish you every success in reaching your goal.

YAY -GOOD FOR YOU! I know you must feel fabulous and so proud of what you have accomplished (and deservedly so) - getting past that label is an achievment and a great boost to keep going. WAY TO GO!

Isn't it amazing what was seemingly just a change of location has impacted you in ways you never could have imagined - it has made quite a difference in your success, allowing you to stick to your well-thought-out plan without the additional challenges of drive-thrus, cheap food and time restraints.

Keep up the good work - you have evidently found what works for you 'cause you're almost there - we'll all be here to cheer you on!

CONGRATULATIONS!! That's a HUGE success

As for your community? Can I say I'm jealous?!?! I would LOVE to live in a town like that... (not just for the lack of temptation ) Really! The best vacation of my life was to a little town in Northern Saskatchewan that we had to fly in to. It was FABULOUS! And ever since then, I've been obsessed with the idea of living in a place like that.

Great job! Keep up the good work.

Great Job! You should be so proud of yourself! I'm a couple pounds away from that! Can't wait to join you! Keep up the good work!

Thanks everyone!

SugarJunkie, I'm with you about small town life. I could definitely see myself settling down in a small, isolated town. However, while this is a great place to live in many ways, there are plenty of issues. It's an Inuit community with some serious drug and alcohol problems, and lots of neglected and mistreated kids. It's heartbreaking and frustrating as a teacher to only be able to do so much.

Way to go on losing 36 pounds already. You are doing awesome!

congratulations!

Wow, way to go. I used to live in Nunavut for 2 & 1/2 years, so I know isolation. And it can be great to be away from drive thru! I now live in Newfoundland where I'm from, it's nice to have found another Canadian that is close by! Wish you all the best!