DOWN 220 POUNDS

Joshua you are AMAZING!!!   CONGRATS!   Delilah

I'm speechless!  Talk about a wake up call.  Here I'm all depressed and upset this morning.  Your story is just what I needed !  Now I need to go read your profile! :) 

I wish you all the luck on whatever path you decide to take.  That's an amazing amount of weight to lose.  Keep it up, your doing fantastic. 

Hello, and thank you for your kind words, i hope that i can help someone, like this site has helped me find the support that i need. I will put my before picture on my page, and keep in mind that only a handful of people have seen this picture, but i think that it might help people, to see how big i really was.  thanx again, Joshua

Don't ya just love those pictures. :)  I've been thinking about putting a few full size body shots on here just to make me accountable for myself.  It's easy to throw up a picture of your face, but your body?!?!  Ummm no.  I'm still debating, lol  a little guy inside my head is telling me "ummm are you nuts!".    But to some of us, I think it might be a good way to start accepting yourself.  

Holly

I know exactly what you mean Holly, I have alot of full body shots, but it took that one, to make me realize that i was gonna die if i didnt do something, and thats what it takes for some people, like it did me, i am amazed that i am still alive, i really didnt think i would make it past last christmass, but here we are still kicking, LOL.   Joshua

That's why I posted mine on my blog (see link below).  Y'all might not see my face, but you see my reality. I dare you to do the same!    You'll find it's good for you in the long run because you see your progress!

I encourage you to NOT have WLS.  You've accomplished so much on your own and you CAN go all the way.  How to do it?  Stop thinking WLS is the only answer and this part of the journey is only to get you to that door.  And remember, the reason folks regain some after WLS is that they've totally screwed up their metabolisms WITH the surgery.

So not worth it, especially when you can do what you've done so far! 

I applaud and admire you.

Thank you for your kind hearted words, I have never really wanted the surgery, but i am realizing more each day that it might not be necessary, if i can lose another 125 pounds or so.  I read your blog, and you have done an amazing job, i wish i had the guts to go to a gym, but i am far to shy, i know if i went to a gym, i could lose an incredible amount of weight really fast, but i am a big chicken. LOL Joshua

Forget guts.  Join a gym outside your hometown.  Not knowing anyone makes it so much better--you don't give a hoot who thinks what and you're there just for you! I did...an hour away...joined because my job was down the corner.  Lost the job, kept the gym, reaching my goals.... Found the distance made me free to do what I needed to do.  Plus bonus was I made more acquaintances than I ever imagined, became friendly with the staff and trainers, everyone including the CEO knows me by name. I hear often "you're an inspiration".  Ba Humbug.  Girl's just doing what needs to be done (as are they!)   Also hear from trainers how "they're behind me".  I have a whole team rooting me on. Long story too late to be short, I can do what's necessary for all these reasons, and you can to!

Wow Joshua! You are truly AMAZING! I love that things just *connected* one day and you DID it! That is SO HARD! So VERY hard!  The strength you must have... mixed in with the fear. It's like things just *clicked* and you RAN WITH it- rather than against it! (that's a tough mold to break!) You are doing an AWESOME job!  Keep up the great work and you will be at 425 in NO time!!!!    CONGRATS to you!!!!!