Two year anniversary
 

It was two years ago today that I committed myself to losing weight and getting healthy. This is the longest I have ever been able to sustain a weight loss program. I committed to one year, and at the one year mark, I committed to one more year of losing weight.

For year 3, I'm not committing to losing weight. I'm committed to one year of maintaining. Why not make a lifetime commitment? I have found that one-year commitments are more impactful for me. I guess I'm not good with long time commitments. "For the rest of my life" seems so long and impossible. One year gives me accountability and something to shoot for.

What an amazing, difficult, rewarding two years, both physically and emotionally:

- went from 331 pounds to 164 pounds: I lost more than I weigh now :)

- went from barely fitting into size 32 pants to having my current size 14 pants being baggy on me :):)

- no longer in danger of diabetes, which has always scared me since my dad had it. Cholesterol, blood pressure, pulse, and triglyceride levels are also normal :):):)

- finally got help for binge eating, a problem that has plagued me since I was a teen. I feel better, less focused on food, and more positive about my future and my ability to maintain than I ever have before:):):):)

- went from a couch potato who couldn't walk a quarter of a mile without my back hurting and breaking out in hives to being able to run six miles without stopping. I have hiked some steep, long trails in South America, North America and Europe. My physical fitness has become the greatest gift I have ever given myself.:):):):):)

- finally, I have gone from a shy, sad person with no self confidence and with fears of dying before age 45 to a still shy but much more self confident person who feels some pride in herself and is planning for many, many healthy years ahead of her. Someone who still isn't entirely where she wants to be, personally or professionally, but who believes that things will get better.:):):):):):)

Here's to another one-year commitment!

:):):):):):):)

Amazing! It's great that you recognized your weak link (binge eating) and got help for it. That takes self-awareness and courage. Here's to a successful year of maintenance!

F.

Congratulations! You've done an amazing job and have learned so much about yourself. :hug: And I think that one year commitments are very powerful as that's what initially got me started this time.

I can't wait to join you at goal someday. :)

Extremely inspirational!!!

I am so glad you posted! Hearing this type of victory- where you have successfully worked at something for two years- is incredibly inspiring.

Congrats!! Great job!!

Congratulations! That is awesome!! And I like the fact that you are taking maintenance one year at a time. Great job and keep up the good work.

Thanks not only for sharing your success, but for sharing your method to get there. It makes for a very inspirational story than can help all of us!

Fantastic list of achievements! Physical fitness opens SO MANY doors!

What an inspiration you are! Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary!

Congrats and best of luck in maintenance!!!

Wow! What an awesome accomplishment!

How did you do it? Please share!

You post is awesomely inspirational! Keep up the good work.

Congrats!!!

I think your goal is a great one. Very smart to make a goal that is realistic and obtainable.

If you don't mind sharing ... What help did you get for the binge eating and how long did t take to "fix" the problem.

That is amazing and very inspirational!! Did you have high BP and cholesterol before you lost the weight?