I wonder if this has saved my life?

[Tready]

I was watching the TV last night and the lady on 'Fat: a year to save my life' lost a massive amount of weight and ended the year running a HM.

It started me wondering about where I might have ended up in a few years if I hadn't started the programme. No one wants to think that they would get to 20+ stone but I was on my way, Jessie (the presenter) said that 100 extra calories a day = 1 stone a year, we all know how easy that is to eat.

I now feel that that will never be me. I stopped the downward spiral before I reached that level, thanks to my lovely friend who recommended the programme and of course the lovely Laura, and all of you.

Has this saved my life? I think so. Maybe I would have been ok for a few more years but I was on my way to having real health issues. The only downside I can see is that I will never need the gorgeous Jessie to come round to my house and spend one on one time with me!

[Jana83 Graduate]

I was in a similar situation a few years ago too - an obese (nearly morbidly obese), late twenty something, single gal. A size 20/22 and only a few pounds away from 17 stone.

My mum had concerns that I'd end up like my Aunt who has diabetes and has problems with her legs. Although I knew that I was seriously unhealthy, I had kind of resigned myself to the fact that this was me and that this was my lot in life. Why bother trying to change it?

Then one dark and gloomy January evening a few years ago, I was watching some crap on TV and I suddenly thought to myself "what the hell am I doing?" So I joined a gym and started walking. The rest, as they say, is history.

I'm now a size 14 and I've lost over 4 stone. I run three times a week and do a workout DVD too. I've been living with my boyfriend for over 2 years and in all honesty, I've never been happier. Yes, I'd like to lose another 2 or so stone and be a size 12/14 but that's a new goal for me to get to - something to focus on. Buying our own home is also another dream that I'd never imagined I'd have (we currently rent but are hoping to get onto the ladder in the next year or two).

Losing weight has saved my life for sure but it's the health / fitness aspect that is the real bonus. My blood pressure is normal and I'm now in the "overweight" bracket of the BMI scale having been hovering on the obese / morbidy obese border.

Of course I'd like to thank the NHS and its Couch to 5k plan for helping get this far but really, I'd like to thank myself for making the decision to do something about it in the first place.

YEY ME!!!!!!!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Jana83]

Good on you Tready and Jana83, that's grabbing your life by the scruff of it's neck and getting it sorted. A great post.

[Tready Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you, I do feel that everyone on here are such positive supportive people, sorting their lives out whether it be weight, fitness, mental health issue or other problems. Because we have lived these lives there are always people on here who can help, empathise and offer advice

[Tready Graduate in reply to Jana83]

YEY YOU indeed. Well done for every positive step forward

[Nerdio Graduate]

I am quite pleased with my achievement,of losing almost a stone in weight, and verging on getting down one size on my waist. Then I read blogs from people like you two girls. What you have achieved is just fantastic, if not amazing. I know, from the experiences of a friend of ours, that doing what you have done is no mean feat. Well done, you are truly shining examples of what this scheme can do for someone.

[Tready Graduate in reply to Nerdio]

You are right to be pleased with your achievement, everyone goals will be different but we are all moving in the right direction

[Markee Graduate]

This has almost definitely saved my life. This time last year I was nearly 17 stone, could get only half up the stairs before having to stop to get my breath back and an x-ray established that I had an enlarged heart! I also have sleep apnoea ( can't spell that correctly).

Now I have lost 4 stone, still on hypertension pills but think I will be coming off them soon, don't know about the heart situation, but I can run! I'm not doing as well as many others on here, but I'm getting there slowly and surely.

Best thing is that I feel great - so much more energy and enthusiasm for life!

[Tready Graduate in reply to Markee]

Wow! Four stone is very impressive. That says to me your doing just as well as everyone on here, if not better. Slow and steady gets you to the same finish line as everyone else. Keep going

[Markee Graduate in reply to Tready]

Thank you, must add that I have been following a weight loss plan - it is not all down to the running, but that has helped!

[albionjen Graduate]

I swear that running and generally getting healthy has saved my life. I'm fairly young (31) but I started this year with BMI 35 and feeling like I had nothing but poor health in my future. Luckily I kicked into gear and realised I could do something about it! I'm now down to nearly healthy BMI (not stopping weight loss quite yet) and going out for a run 2 or 3 times a week.

So major congrats to all of us who have made a change to the better! More energy and thirst for life are totally awesome! Woohoo! (I'll stop with the cheerleading now )

[Tready Graduate in reply to albionjen]

Keep on cheerleading, the world needs more positive people. I completely agree about the zest for life. We'll done you

[mason73 Graduate]

Wow what great storys I must admit think this forum helps me lose wieght not just the running have got some great info from blogs on here that I have found have helped my weight and running well done all of you x x

[Tready Graduate in reply to mason73]

Thank you. I agree, the forum is a real boost and motivating when you need it. Happy running