Hello all...I am new here and this is my first post. I am trying to learn how to navigate around still.

I just celebrated my one year anniversary of my weight loss journey on March 1, which also happened to be my birthday. Last year, when I turned 28, I said "I want to lose all of this weight by 30" and set to it.

As of today I am 67 pounds down and counting (I started at 250, and currently weigh 183).

I have had bad days, but astonishingly have really stuck to it. Even when it has been emotionally hard, I have kept with it. For one year, I have exercised at LEAST 3 times a week without fail, and usually even 5 or 6 times a week. And I have been steller with my water and food intake probably 340 out of 365 days. I don't say this to gloat or anything because I truly wonder sometimes what makes this time different, and how I am able to do so well now.

What is different this time for me is the support I have put around me. I have a lovely group of online friends that are also trying to lose weight, and we hold each other accountable and give each other support and advice as well. I workout sometimes with my mom, which is really fun and funny all in the same time. The other day we had a hula hooping contest against each other. I mean, how fun is losing weight when you can do THAT?!?!? I also workout with my best friend, and we B.S. in the steam room after we workout, which makes it all the easier to get my butt to the gym in the first place. I let myself splurge once in a while without guilt. Instead of psyching myself up to go to the gym and thinking myself OUT of it, I just do it. Like a habit. I don't even let myself think of how tired I am or how hard it is. And yes, a year later it is hard, and I still don't LOVE working out, but I have just resigned to having to do it for the rest of my life.

I have to do this. I'm not where I want to be. I will say that coming this far does make it easier for me, though, because I think about all the hard work I have put into it, and how it would feel to see the numbers on the scale go back up.

Anyway, I guess this just turned into a story with no point, was just feeling like sharing something about myself.

Thanks for listening, Alicia

Well done on your progress so far, you're doing wonderfully!

Hi curlygurl!

Congrats on your awesome weight loss! What a nice Bday present to yourself! Happy belated Bday!

Looks like you've got everything under control! I am pretty much doing the same thing you are, sticking to exercise even if I have to drag by butt kicking and screaming to the treadmill. lol I've learned that the hardest part is just getting started. Once I start my workout, I actually enjoy it. Been working out 6 days a week for the past 2-3 months.

I too sometimes wonder how I got to this point. So many habits I used to have are now gone and been replaced with new healthier habits. Not sure what clicked this time or how...but I'm not complaining lol

Anyway! bla bla bla. Just wanted to congratulate you. Keep up the hard work! Oh, and welcome to the boards!

Hey curlygurl and on your weight loss...

We have a great Maintainers board here so feel free to pop in and discuss all your trials and tribulations...

Congrats!! Isn't it wonderful when things like exercise become fun because you're there with friends? Makes everything easier. Keep it up!

Welcome, curlygurl, and congratulations on losing 67lbs. Yay you!


~Silvervixen

Wow, Alicia, 67 pounds in a year is awesome! Keep it up, and you'll definitely reach your goal.

That is an awesome year marker!! How quickly a year does fly by ... and you have done it. Thanks for posting the inspiration

Congratulations! That is a big difference in one year, way to go.

You are so right about the gym, I had to remind myself when the alarm went off at 5:20 this morning and it was raining that if I laid there was no way I’d be dragging my butt to the pool. Sometimes you just have to do, and you are doing just fabulous!

Keep it up and I’m sure you’ll hit your goal easily before your next birthday.

You are doing awesome!! Keep up the good work!!

What an inspiring story, Alicia! Congratulations, you've really accomplished a lot and you have a lot to be very proud of! What a fabulous gift you have given yourself!

Happy (slightly) belated birthday!

Congrats!! That is great. And btw, I loooove the glasses.

You will find even more support here and I think you fall in love with this place very quickly. I'm glad you found us.

Welcome, Curlygurl -- great loss and great story! Like you, I have found myself to have really stuck to it for 8 months now (though I'm still working on the exercise!). We'd love to see you around the forum more -- it's very supportive here!

I just want to thank everyone for your encouragement! It is nice to not feel like an "outsider" in a new place!!!

And teahoney thanks for the compliment on the glasses! Been wearing glasses since I was 3. My reward for hitting my long term goal will be Lasik, but I may still keep around some funky glasses and put non prescription lenses in them. I just don't like not being able to find my way out of bed in the morning without 'em!!!

Alicia

Hi Alicia I hear what you are saying,,,,, you have lost an amazing amount of weight... BE SO PROUD!!! I have only lost 15 lb from a high of 203 but I have lost inches (20) and am following Body For Life. I also hate working out and am a food0holic. What has changed for me is realizing I HAVE to work out and willhave to always....(my sisters don't...but I do!) GGGGRRRRRRRRR! I love food and know all the restaurant menus etc. but I am eating to live not living to eat right now... unfortunately I guess I will have to not [lan my social life around food anymore. I try to find foods that are o.k. but let's face it I lOve Natcho's guacomole potato skins sauces, dips drinks etc.

Anyhow I wanted to let you know your post rang bells with me. Thanks.