Well, I had posted bout dieting in disney and got some great advice, thoughts and um...permission to cheat! LOL.

You guys are really fun and wonderful and I was sharing this photo with another board and thought - ah heck, why not.

So here is me. Before and Now
http://members.cox.net/supersilks/34poundsgone.jpg

I'm finally at a healthy weight and normal bmi for the first time in MANY years.
I feel like I look alot younger (ok, the hair color and tan don't hurt either lol) and I'm much much more healthier.

Anyway, If i can do it - anyone can do it. But this is me :)

WOW!! Good for you! I've lost 20, but still have a long way to go. Was hoping for another 20 before our Nov. 13 DL trip, but maybe it will be another 15!! You look smashing!!

Wow! Congrats! My goal is to lose 35 before we go next June... you did that in 4 months!

You look great ! Way to go ! Are you going to tell us all your secret ?

eh no secret lol - the usual...what they always say.
Diet and Excercise . Go figure? lol

Basically I am using fitday.com (the free web version) to track calories and balance my protein/fat/carbs. I'm a carb fiend so i went carb free my first two weeks (except for fruit. no potato, rice, bread, etc). Then I just got my calories down to about 1200/day. Sometimes less, sometimes a bit more. But always around there. I challenged myself to eat at least 3 cups of vegetables/salad a day, drink at least 2 full water bottles a day (24oz each minimum), take a multivitamin and calcium supplement and just eat less in general.
But the biggest thing was/is the excercise.
I'm using the walk away the pounds videos (leslie sansone) and I do them in home in front of the tv or computer. I started out doing her 18 minute/1 mile and when I felt good enough with that worked up to her 2 mile/30 minute videos. She has a few different ones in each of the time/mile programs. Now I do at least 90 minutes of excercise a day, six days a week.
I walk my kids (pushing the double stroller) to school and back every day at least once a day. So thats a mile/20 minutes at least once, but sometimes its 2 miles/40 minutes if i don't drive to pick them back up again. I do an hour of videos a day. I combine them - sometimes i'll do two of her 2 mile or a 45 min/3 mile and a 15minu/1 mile, or her 4 mile/1 hour. Or i'll do 1/2 an hour of pilates and 1/2 hour of a walk away the pounds. Mix it up. Cross train kinda so my body doesn't get used to any one thing.

Hard work but totally worth it. Almost done now and then I can start maintenance - excercise less (3x a week) and eat a little more (but still healthy. no junk food!)

so thats my big secret. Become motivated, driven, focused, obsessed, anal even lol. I measure food, I feel 'incomplete' if i don't do at least an hour of excercise a day. and i used to HATE excercise.

If i can do it, anyone can do it. I'm so serious.

Thanks for the kind responses - I feel so proud of myself. And the clothes shopping is so fun!!! lol

WOW!! good for you!!

Wow! You look awesome, you should be so proud of yourself! As for looking younger, you've taken off ten years at least! Way to go! :D :D

You look wonderful! Congratulations on all your hard work.

thanks so much guys :)
My disney pics will look great - lol
and I can actually have fun walking the park!

Way to go, Hippiemama!! You most certainly do look younger and healthier in that after picture!

Hope you have a ball cruising around the resort! Now, that's what I call motivating exercising!! :D

~kisroo:)

Wow, the difference is like night and day. Congratulations on your progress!

Congratulations on your achievement hippiemama! Have fun on your vacation. :)

You go girl.

Are those two pics of the same person? ;)

Good job! Now stay on point and don't gain it back!

Gad, you are gorgeous!

Congratulations!!!!! And all that walking will make the vacation a breeze! You look awesome!

You look great! I wouldn't have even guessed that the before photo was you. Good job on all your hard work!

Wow,

Not only have you taken off pounds...you've taken off years.

Great job.