Before---196 pounds

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This was me at my heaviest weight in December 1999.

My Breaking Point

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After having lost 50 pounds and getting to an all time low of 146 in March of 2002, I gained 30 pounds back. This photo was taken in September 2006. The combination of denim shorts, 89 degree weather and a sunny day in Florida resulted in a very uncomfortable walk with 29 inch thighs rubbing together. I made it to a gift shop in the park where I purchased a pair of dry pants.

The New Pants

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I'm smiling, but I'm not happy. I was humiliated at this point. I went into the store thinking I was a medium in elastic waistband pants. I walked to the nearest restroom to change into the newly purchased pants only to discover I couldn't get them over my thighs. Back to the store to exchange them for a large. At that moment I decided that this would NEVER happen again. It was really the straw that broke the camel's back. I had to change my life.

Not so ready for my close-up.

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My Guy loves taking photos of me. He thinks I'm beautiful no matter my size. I am blessed that way; however, as a result, he snapped photos of me all the time, which at the time I didn't like. In hindsight, I'm thrilled for these photos. They were the wake up call I needed. This shot particularly showed me in a way nothing else could how unhealthy I had become. 

March 16, 2oo7.

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This was taken 10 weeks after joining Weight Watchers. I was down 20 pounds. I didn't go on a shopping spree, but did get new clothes. The clothes I had were literally falling off of me. I felt good here. This was our first weekend getaway just the two of us. It was an early five year anniversary celebration. We spent the weekend in Orlando. This was snapped on the street on our walk back to the hotel after dinner.

March 18, 2007--Epcot.

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This site is about me and my journey, but a big part of my journey has included my wonderful husband Guy. He gained weight with me and lost with me. Seeing this photo of us, I realized how my bad habits had caught up to his waistline. It wasn't fair to him or me. This photo was also the first time in three years that I weighed less than him. By one pound. Guy was at his heaviest in this photo, but I started out 20 pounds heavier than him. He weighs 157 here. During the next few months he would lose 27 pounds. Men. He has maintained his weight at approximately 130 pounds since 2009. His secret--I cook for him.

My favorite way to burn the calories.

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My love affair with rollerskating began in 1979. Mom took me to Happy Wheels in Manchester, New Hampshire. It became a way of life. As a child, it was a way to have fun and I never thought of it as exercise. It was just a fun way to spend time with Mom and my friends. We moved to Dallas, Texas in 1982. The rink was named Hot Wheels and it was within walking distance of our house. The rink was a second home to me. I spent almost every Friday night I can remember of my teen years skating at Hot Wheels. We went with Mom regularly on Sunday afternoons and I never missed an all-night skate. It was a safe way to have a giant sleep over with tons of friends. As with many of the things we do in our youth, after I graduated high school I gave up skating. In December 2006 as I began the exercise portion of my journey, I decided to go back to what I loved in my youth. My whole approach to exercise is to find something that you love to do. If it feels like a chore and something you dread you won't stick with the program. I LOVE to skate. When I'm on the floor, rolling in rhythm to the music blaring from the loud speakers I don't have a care in the world. The horrors of society, financial difficulties, personal problems I'm struggling with--for those two hours--the outside world just stops. This particular photo was taken at the rink in Deltona, Florida where I went to meet a cyber-friend that I met on the Weight Watchers message boards. One of my biggest supporters, she is still a part of my life. She took this photo--I was skating backwards.  I was 140 pounds in this picture. Skating is a way of life again. I rarely miss my Wednesday night session and occasionally still get a Sunday afternoon session in once every few months.

Our wedding day--October 12, 2008.

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After nearly six years of living together, my Guy proposed to me on February 29, 2008. We set the date and planned our getaway to Las Vegas. That began my countdown to get off my duff and lose those last 10 pounds. Let's be honest. All brides want to feel beautiful on their wedding day and I was no different. While I was happy with the way I looked and felt, I hadn't reached my final goal. I rededicated myself to more intense workouts, incorporated weight training and continued tweaking my diet. Guy picked out my hunter green dress. The morning of the wedding I was pampered with a massage. I never felt more beautiful or was a happier woman than I was on my wedding day. Guy and I both weigh 130 pounds here. This photo is part of the official photos from the wedding package we purchased at A Hollywood Wedding Chapel.

On my way to a concert.

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I love going to live music performances. It is one of my favorite ways to spend an evening with my husband. It's also fitting. Guy and I met at Ozzfest 2002. He's a metal music lover. I'm an all-music lover. Don't get me wrong. Guy listens to some artists that aren't metal and I've opened him up a little to the world of country. However, I've grown up with music as a part of my life. My father was a professional piano player, singer and composer. From my earliest days music has been a part of my inner being. Starting with classical all the way to metal, I listen to everything. The best way to experience the music is live. The bonus of a show--lots of walking and dancing. Now, I never let my weight stop me from going to concerts, but over the years as the pounds piled on, shows became increasingly less fun. I didn't have the energy. I still enjoyed the music, but didn't feel like I was getting the full experience. As my journey continues and the number on the scale remains the same, it is the non-scale victories that keep me motivated. Having full energy levels to enjoy concerts is just one of many on the list.

Most recent picture of us as a couple.

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Have you ever noticed that when you're a couple, there are fewer pictures of you AS a couple then there are of you individually? It makes sense, of course, but still. This photo was taken in the pit at the Nine Inch Nails/Jane's Addiction show in Tampa, Florida. May 9, 2009. Guy has maintained his loss for more than two years and I have held steady between 126-130 since October 2008.

A new look for a new year.

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One of my most recent photographs. I cut my back length hair almost seven inches to donate to the oil spill clean-up effort. I also got an eye exam and new frames for the first time in three years. This is also taken after my newest change on the journey. Vegetarian eating. :)