~20 to go. This picture actually shows -45 lbs. I'm 25 years old and graduated with my Bachelor's degree a year ago. I gained A LOT of weight in college. I was working 2-3 jobs and going to school for 10-12 hours a day. I decided to take up running in March 2012 and started on the Couch to 5k program. I "graduated" the program in April 2012 and continued running, working my way up to 6 miles and running an average of 3 1/2-4 miles 5x a week. I am pretty strict with what I eat and watch my calories like a hawk. I lost 45 pounds between March and today. The other 5 were lost back in November 2011 when I went to the gym for a month lol.

Hoping this inspires someone out there. If I can do this, anyone can. No crazy diets, no pills, no surgery, just pure hard work and counting calories. Still need to lose about 20 more.

EDIT:

Added a newer picture that actually shows a 50 pound loss. This is me on Halloween 2011 vs. July 21, 2012. I ran my second 5k after this picture in 32:15

I'm inspired Wonderful job!!!

You look great!! Way to go! You have very nice legs, seriously.

Awesome job! Please post what a typical day of food looks like for you.
Thx

This is very inspirational! You look great, congrats!

You look AMAZING!

I'm sure you worked very hard, congrats!

How adorable are you? Congrats!!!

Beautiful! You absolutely deserve it and yes I am inspired!

Way to go!! You are truly an inspiration! I just started running 1 month ago and it has literally changed my life! Thank you for sharing.

Wow that's great you look so good! This is my first day on here and this just so happens to be the first thing I clicked on, it gives me so much more hope! Thank you so much congrats!

You look fantastic! Keep up the awesome work. I'm sure those last 20 will melt off in no time with a work ethic like that!

Wow, you look amazing and toned! Do you do any exercise besides running?

Thanks everyone!

Orchestrated: I bike occassionally and try to throw in some circuit training for at least an hour total a week. Sadly all I want to do is run and I don't strength train as much as I probably should.

Saggzz: For breakfast I will usually eat either 2 links of precooked turkey sausage or a Special K bar with string cheese.

Lunch is sometimes lean cuisines, salads, and recently I started making my own turkey "lunchables" that are about 200 calories for the serving.

Dinner: I eat lots of different things. Turkey burgers, shrimp tacos, home made whole wheat pizza, Boca burgers, some kind of pasta dish usually once every 2 weeks, taco salad using ground chicken, salads, hot turkey sausage sandwiches, home made calzones using a pita pocket...

I usually have 1-2 meals a week where I eat what I want within reason and don't count calories. It's to the point now where I don't want the food I used to eat and I can't physically eat as much as I used to.