I just love to see pics of everyone and their families/significant others so I thought I would start a thread to let everyone show us what inspries you. I mean, I know we all want to lose the weight to get healthy and have longer lives or to regain our self-confidence but what is it, underneath the health issues and vanity that truly inspires you? What makes you keep going everytime you start to feel down or feel like you are going to fail?. Or what keeps you from giving up and heading down the old path of head hunger and complacity with your life?

I know that my true inspiration and the final reason I made the decision to have this done is my daughter. And not so much because I want to stick around long enough to see her grow into a beautiful woman but moreso because it broke my heart to hear her start every request with "Momma, are you too tired to...". The thought of missing out on all the great things that a mother can share with her daughter was depressing. And that was coupled with the idea that my precious girl would suffer vicariously because of my weight whether it be from comments by her peers or just the idea that hers was the one momma who couldn't chaperone the trip to the zoo or coach the softball team.

And my hope is that in the end, my success will have inspired and taught her the benefits of what working hard, eating right, exercising and having a healthy lifestyle can bring. My hope is that this little girl won't ever have to know what it feels like to have a life half lived.

And so I sit here looking at the picture of my dear daughter and my loving husband and I thank them for inspiring me to what I needed to do to live my life fully, for them and with them.

Thanks for letting me share them with you.

Beautiful pictures! You are a very pretty lady, watch out now, those guys on the board will be your best friends! lol

You're a doll now and I love your puppy! Is he a Boxer? Man, I'm going to go get a second band so I can look like your inspiration!!

New hope:

if you get that second band put me on the list for one. I don't think I've ever been in a bikini... as a matter of fact I know I haven't!

I'll succeed:you are a beautiful person. That dogs a cutie too!

I'd need a whole lot more than weight reduction to look like that!!

Remember that inspiration is 13/14 years ago. I think two bands would be great one for my gut & one for my mouth. Yes my "boy" is a boxer. I never have had such a loving & sweet dog. i highly recommend them especially for children. He also loves to dress up -or at least he amuses me. take a look. Newhope your almost there! I can't wait till I get under 200.

Wow, everybody's pictures are so great! Thank you all for sharing.

My little inspiration, Connor

He's a cutie for sure!!!

I'll Succeed, wow you great now!!! you will do great with your band... I wish I looked as good as you! Love the dog too...

Ahhhh Connor is a cutie.. can i pinch his cheeks?? hehehe

How old is Connor? He's precious!

Conner sure is a cutie! Thanks for sharing!

I just love the name Conner & what a beautiful boy-such a sparkle in his eyes.

Trish- thanks for the nice words & you & I will hopefully be so prepared for this journey there will be no stopping us. Every single woman is Beautiful-inside & outside. I'm not sure if I will watch the last episode of 'THE BIGGEST LOSER" tonight or not. I love the show but than it also makes me feel like I should try again by myself. I know I could lose it - but I also know it NEVER stays off & comes back w/avengence +.