It's crazy.. When I was at my heaviest I would day dream about the day that I would finally be "skinny". I would day dream about all sorts of crazy things.. Some miracle pill that I could take and within days loose all my weight. Perhaps just magically wake up and it would all be gone. Or I even day dreamed as far as thinking.. even if a virus took over me so I was so sick, then I would loose all my weight. I realize that it was all ridiculous. They were but simple dreams that I never thought I would have. Eating was a poison for me. A bad habit. And it's not even that I would gorge myself or eat a plethora of food items per day. It was what I ate. Because I loved the taste of certain foods. And I couldn't help myself. I lacked the motivation to do what I needed to do. Eating right was something that I was never good at. I would do good for awhile but then would fall right back into the same habits. And the progress was slow and the results were slow and that would always dampen my urge to be healthy. I continued to grow and grow and it was hard to comprehend at the time how large I had actually become. I knew that I was extremely over weight, but it really doesn't hit you until you have something to compare it to. I just assumed that I would always be heavy and that would just lead to always day dreaming about a "better" me. I would dream about what I would look like, how many more activities I would be able to participate in, the clothes I would be able to shop for, the athletic activities I could do with my kids... but to me, they were just pipe dreams.. something unobtainable.

It got to the point where I could hardly fit into a roller coaster. I remember going atop the stratosphere to hop on a ride. I don't remember the name, but it shoots you straight up into the sky, high above the city. When I sat on the ride, the harness that comes down over you, would not fit. I remember my ass having to try and squeeze into the seat. And I couldn't get the harness down. It was embarrassing and I had to be moved to the "fat" person chair. Even as I am writing this I feel ashamed and horrified that I could possibly let myself get that far. It was difficult moving around and keeping up with my active family. I never wanted to do anything. That meant I was going to be hot, sweaty and miserable. I was depressed, I hated what I had let myself become. I felt as if I had no self worth and was just disgusted at my body.

Now I can say that I am extremely happy with myself. It has definitely been a long road and journey and continues to be so. I still have to make the right eating choices and exercise. I can happily say that yesterday was the first time I have ran since being.. well I don't even remember the last time I ran. But it truly was amazing. I was able to do it and go for awhile until I started to breath a little bit more heavily, but I was able to continue still! And it felt great after, I am excited and happy and can't wait for even more results.

OMG.. Reading your story was like having my own thought said aloud. I have had all those silly daydream about waking up skinny or taking a magic pill. Crazy! I am pre-sleeve and your story is so inspirational. Thank you for sharing!

Cheers to a healthy future with your family!

Sheena :-)

Irish!! I remember you (fellow November girl) Look at that after picture! You look awesome girl!

Congrats on all the hard work you've put in,

It's obviously paying off

Thank you for sharing your story. I can really identify with it.

You are an inspiration and you look great!

Wow you look amazing,and your story hits close to home. We can all dream but when we see our dreams and goals come true it makes you want to do more. You are on the right track.

Good for you!!!

Love your story, thanks for sharing, and you look amazing

Wow..I couldn't have written this any better! Going to the seminar on weds and getting weighed ...starting this process is going to be hard but living like this I think is even harder!! You rock and look amazing!!! Congrats!!!

Just starting my journey to a new me! sent from my iPad

Amazing! Do you mind if I ask what your before/current stats are??