...has been the dramatic improvement in my health and fitness. No question.

I decided to change things up this morning and walk around in my neighborhood because the temps finally dipped. I started out walking in my neighborhood last year and saw improvements, but then I started to go to the gym for exercises that would get my heart rate up.

In November 2011, I would walk down a steep hill in my neighborhood, or walk around my block. Walking around the block took 7 minutes at my fastest, while the hill nearly did me in! I struggled to go up the hill five times, and it took more than seven minutes each time.

This morning, I walked down the hill and went back up, and I didn't really even get winded; I was just breathed a little heavier. I went up and down the hill seven times, averaging 6 minutes each time I went up.

I alternated between hill walking and jogging/running around the block. Last year, I couldn't run more than a few yards. Today, i ran around the block five times, averaging five minutes each time.

I felt great! I'm sore now, but also exhilarated. I love being able to fit better into clothes and looking better, but my level of health improvement is what I'm most proud of. I never dreamed I would be able to do the things I'm doing now. I think it is ultimately going to be my commitment to my fitness that will keep me on track with my weight.

You have made amazing progress. Keep up the good work. I have been walking, but there is a hill in my back yard that I am going to start working on soon. Thanks for the inspirational post!

It truly is admirable! I haven't had those kinds of troubles in my life... at least, not that I remember, but I see my mom does and although she's trying again after having lost and gained back a lot, it just really sucks.
Congratulations on losing so much and being fitter! A bit more and you'll be unstoppable!

What a fantastic post! Looking better is great but improved health and fitness is the greatest reward.

I completely agree! And it is not just being able to do things like that but actually wanting to do things like that!

First of all, way to go! Keep up the good work. You will only get more fit and healthy from here.

I am totally with you on this. I can't really always tell that my body is changing. If I was relying on that for motivation I never would have made it as far as I have. Overall improvements in health and little fitness goals here and there are really where the day-to-day drive to keep going has come from for me. I don't think its a coincidence that the first time I'm losing weight for health (and not just to get skinny) is the first time I've been really successful. Sure I've lost weight before, but never in the healthiest way and never in a way I was confident I would keep it off. Now I am.

Besides, healthy is way more important than skinny.

Fantastic!

Congrats!!! I can not wait to start noticing those changes in myself!