Your perseverance has paid off. Keep up the great work and best of luck.

You did great, good job and good luck!!!!

That sounds fabulous!Please let me know how to use calorie count?

I'm 15 lbs away from my goal, and have been feeling a little frustrated with the counting at times, too. Perhaps it's a natural part of nearing the end...just being eager for maintenance perhaps? Haha. I agree, though! Looking back at old pictures is just the boost I need to keep going strong, too.

You look awesome...great job!

Such a great story!  You are so inspirational. I wish you the very best with your new challenge 

I'm like you in that every time I want to give up I just look at a naked photo of my "fat self" and that cures all desire to quite! 

You are indeed an inspiration to most of us who are having it difficult to lose some weight. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

congratulations.  it's nice to see somebody put their mind to being healthy, then going and doing it.  well done!

What were all you signs and symptoms for the Lupus. And how did they determine you had it.  A few years ago they thought I also had Lupus.  And really didn't rule it out.  But at the time said I didn't have five of the seven symptoms.  But I still question if I may have it.  I also experience increase joint pain and fatigue, and alot of skin issues.  And what is strange is after losing 25 lbs this past year and working out 4-5 days per week with cardio and wt's.  I feel weaker most days now than when I started with exercise and eating right.  I have appointment with my docter tomorrow.  Are you on any medication for the Lupus??  Would love to hear more from you on this.  And you look amazing.  Keep up the good work.  I know it is hard.   Thanks  Pippa

Way to go on changing your life for the better. Your plan is working keep up the great job!! I to need more cardio!! time to bring out my nordic track again=its been years!!!

Congrats on your weight loss!

For you Lupus, you should try a product callaed Advocare. My Sister in Law has Lupus and she doesnt have to take her meds because of it.

Regarding your lupus, if you can do it, check your vitamin D level. Low levels of vitamin D are very common given how few people spend time in the sun, especially in winter months. For most, then, aside from sun exposure, their only source is milk or multi-vitamins. Quite a number of auto-immune conditions are believed to involve the vitamin D receptor and the signaling that goes on (or doesn't) through it. Since a half hour in the sun can synthesize 20,000 international units of vitamin D, don't worry about taking several times the RDA for vitamin D of 1000 units. You will not overdose. The vitamin D deficiency disease first discovered was rickets. The current RDA is sufficient to prevent that. Since that time, though, there has been a great deal of research that has discovered the ubiquitous role of vitamin D in many different systems in the body. We had someone in our lab who had been developing lupus who also was extremely low in serum vitamin D levels. She supplemented her vitamin D intake and had her symptoms markedly reduced. Incidentally, my doctorate is in Human Nutrition/Nutritional Biology from the University of Chicago. 

Your success is inspirational. Sorry to hear about the lupus. I started backing off on my exercise because of joint pain. Gained a lot of weight, then found out it was RA and gaining weight was the worst thing I could have done. I began eating a diet that was anti-inflamatory and it really works. The book says it works for all inflamatory diseases including lupus and even asthma. Please let us know when you reach goal. Would love to hear how you're doing in the future.

Original Post by: aruanan

Regarding your lupus, if you can do it, check your vitamin D level. Low levels of vitamin D are very common given how few people spend time in the sun, especially in winter months. For most, then, aside from sun exposure, their only source is milk or multi-vitamins. Quite a number of auto-immune conditions are believed to involve the vitamin D receptor and the signaling that goes on (or doesn't) through it. Since a half hour in the sun can synthesize 20,000 international units of vitamin D, don't worry about taking several times the RDA for vitamin D of 1000 units. You will not overdose. The vitamin D deficiency disease first discovered was rickets. The current RDA is sufficient to prevent that. Since that time, though, there has been a great deal of research that has discovered the ubiquitous role of vitamin D in many different systems in the body. We had someone in our lab who had been developing lupus who also was extremely low in serum vitamin D levels. She supplemented her vitamin D intake and had her symptoms markedly reduced. Incidentally, my doctorate is in Human Nutrition/Nutritional Biology from the University of Chicago. 

interesting since you say you used to drink a ton of milk and then quit drinking it. Most milk is vitamin D fortified. It would be worth trying a good vitamin D supplement.

Great motivating testimony . I am indeed proud of you for sticking with your program. You look great and yes you are worth it. Calorie Counter is an excellent tool to use to help you become more aware of the nutritional value of food products and calories. i do believe if you log it you will lose it. Thanks for sharing. Ilm down 11 and 120 more to go. See you at the top.

Original Post by: losersarewinners

Great motivating testimony . I am indeed proud of you for sticking with your program. You look great and yes you are worth it. Calorie Counter is an excellent tool to use to help you become more aware of the nutritional value of food products and calories. i do believe if you log it you will lose it. Thanks for sharing. Ilm down 11 and 120 more to go. See you at the top.

If you log it you WILL lose it."

Wow, great post! I need to lose at least 85lbs and I started counting calories then I stopped and gained my weight back. Counting calories do work and I am so glad I read your story, I will have to find me a picture to keep me motivated. I like that you have one day to cheat, that is great and I will try that myself. May the Lord continue to bless you on your journey. Thanks again for sharing.

Original Post by: anu_shona

That sounds fabulous!Please let me know how to use calorie count?

You're already on your way there...you created an account right!?  Now start logging your foods for each day under Food Log...it's all self explanatory really.  Good luck!

Great job!!!! It great hearing the success stories.

Awesome job!!! Hats off to your determination.  Its inspiring.  Could you please tell me how much water you used to drink?

Thank you all for the wonderful and possitive comments :)  It makes me so happy to be able to inspire people.  I never thought it would ever be possible to become an insperation to anyone lol.

As for the vit D, I have been taking suppliments for about 6 months now, as i was tested as being deficient.  I have a doctors appointment booked on wed to find out more, and see what the next step is to try and fight this thing. 

Thanks again, and please feel free to email me, i would love to talk to all of you :)

Congratulations and thank you so much for sharing your story. It is motivation for me as I am sure it is for others. Your attitude is GREAT! Best of luck in all you do.

I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2007.  In fact, my kidneys weren't working and the doctor said that unless I made a change, I would die in 5 years.  I started to eat raw food - vegan, no grains, no meat, no dairy, no processed foods, no preservatives and limited pesticides.  Basically I was eating fresh veggies and fruits and nuts and seeds.  In 90 days my blood totally transformed and I no longer showed any sign of Lupus.

I believe in Vitamin D supplementation also.  I load myself with in - 25,000 units for three days, then 50,000 units for three days, then 100,000 units for three days - then I can take a supplement of 10,000 units once or twice a week and I am good to go.  I noticed a big change in my mood.  I felt much happier.  Admittedly the Lupus was already gone before I started the Vitamin D but it helped my mood which helped me lose weight!

I have been on the HCG program for 40 days.  Today is the first day off the drops since I started.  I have lost 21 pounds in 40 days using this program, which helps keep your muscles intact but the instructions say no vigorous exercise.  I noticed you have been exercising a lot.  Maybe the answer for you is similar to mine.  I am sure that Lupus makes you VERY tired and it is amazing that you are exercising so much.  I still have 20 pounds to lose but I am certain I will be able to take off the rest when I return to the HCG after this three-week rest. (you have to follow the rules when using it).

I suggest looking on Google for the .pdf file "PoundsandInches.pdf"...it's the book written by the doctor who developed the HCG treatments.  I take a homeopathic drop instead of going to the doctor for the shots and it worked for me.  I was unable to lose weight at all for almost 20 years.  

Calorie Counter is an ESSENTIAL part of my life now.  The HCG program is a 500-calorie/day diet (the HCG makes you totally not hungry anyway) - but when off the drops, you have to maintain a 1000-calorie/day diet for three weeks and it re-adjusts your brain so that you won't put the weight back on.  Literally the book says that weight is not related to what we eat but a glitch in our brains.  

Did you ever wonder why skinny people can eat anything they want and never gain an ounce?  It bugged me - and the HCG program seems to fix that!

I hope this information helps.  Stay far away from dairy - it is the worst thing you can eat.  I had been a vegan for 25 years and the HCG program includes beef, chicken and fish and I didn't know how I felt about that.  Since I started the program I feel 100 times better than I had.  I think small amounts of meat are necessary to maintain good health, but lowering your carbs, fats and avoiding dairy is really the key to good health.

I wish you the very best and congratulations in your success!

Good for you!

Ryewart thank you for sharing I am at the start of my journey and love the count factor though being here in Australia we use the metric system and we have very different products so there always ends up being a lot more adjusting for us but as you so inspiringly have show quite worth the effort. I am rooting for you . Mars

great job! i wish you lots of luck!

Awesome, awesome, awesome, what a transformation, and so glad to hear you have such great support for your workouts, I have been putting off making a second appointment with the trainer at my gym, reading your story motivates me to make that call.

Original Post by: yvar

Awesome, awesome, awesome, what a transformation, and so glad to hear you have such great support for your workouts, I have been putting off making a second appointment with the trainer at my gym, reading your story motivates me to make that call.

Happy to help motivate you :) 

When are you heading to the gym?

Countering calories is difficult and awkward under most lifestyle situations. Portion control is the key following  your preferred diet. Read the Millenium Diet, it discusses the sucesses of portion control. Mark Davis MD

Omg..I admire your courage and strength..Coming out and telling your stroy about your weight and having Lupus..I am currently trying to lose weight and I am currently in remission from Lupus..Being on a lot of medications and of course Prednisone(steroids), I gained a tremedous amount of weight...A lot in my belly area and I am know, more than ever,  ready to make a change in my weight issues..Last week I stated eating totally different.. No more sodas and fast food, and I already feel better..I just need to now, incorporate a exercise regiment..I have a treadmill and a bunch of weights and ftness tapes..I just cant seem to get up and get on it..How did you overcome that part of your journey??..I would love to hear more about your success and some of the things you now cannot go without doing, in order to be comfortable with working out..Thanks for your story and hopefully one day I will be able to share mine..