I think the overall story has inspired people I interact with on a daily basis - coworkers, friends, and facebook friends. They've watched my progress over the last 18 months and ask me what motivated me and what caused me to do this. And I tell the story: saw a picture of myself in June 2014 and was surprised at how fat I was at Jason and Laura's wedding, immediately made changes in my life through weight watchers and exercising, and I reached my initial goal weight in December of last year. Now I'm on phase two - 70 pounds down and now working on toning my body and keeping up the exercise by running 18-20 half marathons this year (and a slew of 5K and 10K races too).
I do not encourage others to follow in my footsteps but I think the story speaks for itself and they reach the logical conclusion: if it worked for her, why can't it work for me. I have friends now wanting to run 5K races. I have had coworkers join WW and MFP to watch calories. And I just had a coworker start personal training after she's seen how strength training has helped my muscles improve so that I can take minutes off my run time (16 minutes in just a month for a half marathon, and 3 minutes in a month for a 5K).
Knowing that I am now a size 26 premium denim jean (size 4) and a size small in shirts/sweaters... really makes me thankful for where I am at today. I am feeling healthier and more confident about myself. And I'm sure Nordstrom loves my story because they're reaping the rewards of me not having clothes for the appropriate season!
It's so awesome that your story has inspired others! Leading by example is always an awesome way to help others without being pushy.
I am keeping my journey very private. This is my time to work on myself. Some people feel that I have not really retired since I also started teaching at the local college. People are not understanding that this what I wanted this phase of my life to be. Since people are not understanding me I decided to go on this journey with just you people.
I totally understand wanting to keep your journey private from people who don't understand. Just remember that we all understand why you're doing this and we're happy to help and support you whenever we can!
This will sound incredibly negative, and upon re-reading it sounds like I'm throwing myself a really big pity party, or like I have anything against the monthly threads or the participants in them, but PLEASE know that I REALLY don't mean it to... I love you guys!
I'm honestly not sharing my journey with anyone anymore. I've tried a couple of times in years past to blog about it, but always stopped shortly after starting because I just didn't have a story worth telling. I barely participate in these threads anymore. I just don't really feel like I have any story to share. I haven't made any substantial progress - yes, I lost 30lbs last year, but I've put it all back on, so what difference does it make. I don't really have answers for the QOTDs because they don't relate to me - nothing at all against any month's thread, I'm just not eating well, I'm not exercising, I'm not a runner, I don't do Weight Watchers, and I don't have great successes to share, so I don't ever really have anything to contribute. I don't log my food because I'm embarrassed by what I eat. I don't wear my Fitbit or join challenges because I'm embarrassed by how little I move during the day. I love reading about everyone's success and will ALWAYS 100% support all of my friends here, but right now I just feel like I'm in the bleachers cheering others on, and I'm not really sure how to get out. Basically I'm not trying to inspire anyone else because I just don't feel like I have any reason to do so.
Again, that reads very negatively, I know. I don't mean to come off that way. This whole weight-loss thing is just very frustrating for me right now (I know I am not alone in that by any means). It makes it even worse that I've never DONE anything to lose weight that has worked, so I don't know what to do. It's not a matter of "Oh, I just need to get back to doing this and the weight will come back off". When I lost the weight last summer, it just kind of started melting off. I was eating like crap and not exercising at all, but it just started happening. So now it's not melting, and I really don't know where to even begin because I don't know what works for me, because it feels like nothing works. But then I get caught in this downward spiral of "I don't know what to do to lose the weight, so I'm just going to eat everything because I'm upset that I'm gaining weight"... and then I gain more weight. And then I see everyone else doing AMAZING and posting great numbers, and I eat more because I'm upset that I'm not doing as well as others. But that makes me gain more weight. And then I eat more because I'm upset that I gained. 
Anyway, I'm thankful for you guys and this forum, no matter where I am in my own journey! You guys are definitely inspirational. 
This hit really close to home for me, because I know exactly how you feel. I've gone through some periods where I just give up because I don't know what to do. The worst part is ... I know what works for me, but it's not worth going on a medication that I no longer need just because one of the side effects is weight loss (and yes, I have thought about this).
I've actually been going through this since I got back from Disney in January (which is probably why I've gained 10 lbs since I got back). What I'm hoping will work for me is going back to basics and taking things one step at a time. Right now I'm focusing on my exercise and not focusing as much on eating - because I know that if I try too much to soon, I'm just going to give up, and I think exercise is something that will be easier for me to stick to. Sometimes there's a temptation to do everything at once, and that just isn't what works for me.
But that's enough about me.
Personally, I think it's worth sharing what you're going through, even if it feels like you're doing it all wrong. There are so many success stories out there, people who did everything right ... but those are the stories I hate sometimes, because they seem so unreal. Most people struggle and struggle. As long as you're willing to share the struggle ... I think people can still learn from you and be inspired by yout willingness to share. But that's a personal decision to make. Whatever you want to share - we want to hear it. We know you can do this, and we want you to succeed!
I'm usually walking in my neighborhood: Sunday morning there were blues skies over my house so I bundled up and got out for a walk. Took this snap of lovely spring blossoms and blue skies a couple blocks away... a couple blocks after that I got to the point where I could see to the west and the sky was black with a rain squall blowing in... barely made it back to the house. The whole day was like that - rain/sun/rain/sun. I ended up doing most of my steps in the mall.
The blossoms look so beautiful!!
I think the only thing that bothered me this week is that I kept feeling like I was off program, even though I was right on with my eating and step counts. Towards the end of the week it occurred to me that it might because my new habits aren't feeling new any more, they feel like just what I do.
It's always great to get to a point where things feel like it's normal - that's how you know you've made a life-long change!
Well, I guess if I can offer any inspiration it might be that at my advanced age, cough, cough, I'm still doing it. I'm active on WW Connect and offer support there. Also, I was talking with my hairdresser this past weekend and answered some of her WW questions and she's ready to sign up.
It's awesome that you're helping people out with WW!
Don't panic, Sarah. I don't think anyone feels this way. Sometimes the questions may hit a little too close to home and may make us uncomfortable, but that's no way a reflection of you or your awesomeness as a hostess this month. Participation is voluntary so some may or may not choose to participate. I wouldn't take it personally - you're doing a great job this month and I've enjoyed the questions and challenges you've posted thus far!
Thank you for your kind words!!
I'm really sorry if my response contributed to your post! Know that, for me personally at least, I was actually grateful for your question today. I feel like I'm not pulling my weight (no pun intended) in these groups this year and your question allowed me to really put into words, for the first time, where I'm at, and I feel like I owed you guys that, because I've been a team with so many of you for so long now and then just kind of disappeared because it was bringing me down and I feel really alone in my struggles right now.
You're doing an awesome job this month! Thank you for stepping up and being such a great leader for all of us. 
The first thing I do when I wake up is check for a QOTD!
Thanks for your kind words!
It was definitely a bunch of responses that made me a little upset, but I'm also pretty sensitive about this. I hate to think that I'm doing something that makes people feel like they're not good enough, and I was afraid that my question made some people feel like that. I'm glad that you appreciated today's question, though, and I hope that writing everything out like that helps you get to a place where you feel like you are contributing and you can find a way to do this!
Wow- there's a lot going on with this thread, I'm going to have to check in more often. Don't have time to reply specifically to everyone, but I did read it all.
Yeah, we're very busy this month! Check in whenever you can, we get that people are busy and we're happy to see you whenever you have time to stop by!
My journey, like many others' has been personal and quiet. I haven't really advertised that I'm trying to lose weight and be healthier. In the past, when I've not been in a good place, I've been turned off when people talk about their diets and exercise routines when they aren't asked about it. Not here in this thread - we all come here to talk about our journeys and to listen to others'. But when you are just ordering lunch or dinner and someone talks about how they only eat free range chicken, grass fed beef or an all organic, gluten free, preservative free, artificial color free diet and how they do hot yoga or whatever the latest craze class is at the club and how it's the greatest thing ever (you know these people, I'm sure). Ugh. I don't know; it makes me uninspired I guess, like I want to run out and eat exactly the opposite of them just because. So, on that note, I don't share anything about my eating habits or exercise habits unless specifically asked.
I totally agree with what you're saying here. I hear people talk about some of the things they eat or whatever exercise they're into and it makes me want to sit on the couch and eat a pint of ice cream. It's part of why I try not to talk about running so much (although I do it more than I should) - I don't want people to feel like I think running is the only thing in the world and they have to do it. So I totally get why you may not want to share so much unless people ask.
Just recently, people are starting to notice my weightloss (or at least enough to mention it). I think it's a combination of things - first, if you see someone every day, you don't really notice the changes as much, so the people I see every day often jump to "did you color your hair differently?" or else can't quite figure out what's changed. The other part is it's getting a little nicer around here and so layers of clothing are starting to come off and be more streamlined. So people who haven't seen me since October without my puffy winter coat absolutely are noticing. I had a mom asking me all kinds of questions today (I hadn't seen her in months) - how are you doing it, what's working for you, etc. I don't really have a method to my madness, but I think that in itself can be inspirational. Just being "everyday" active (getting my steps) and trying to eat balanced meals every day. Nothing crazy or impossible to follow. I guess I have been watching my carbohydrates, but I wouldn't call myself low carb, so I don't usually say anything about that.
It's so awesome that people are noticing your weight loss!
I don't blog, and I don't share unless asked. I think I would need more permanence before I would feel "qualified" to be a true inspiration. Like may others I have gained and lost over the years (though I've never lost this much before), been happy with how I looked, been unhappy with how I looked. And while I am currently successfully losing weight, the true test is if I can reach my goal and maintain it over time. Only then will I feel comfortable in saying - Look at me, I'm a weightloss success story, you can be one too!
I think this is one of the viewpoints that I was trying to counter with today's QOTD. I understand that some people prefer to be private about their journey and don't want to share it, and I get that. But don't ever feel like you're not "qualified" to talk about it - anyone who takes steps in the right direction is 100% qualified to talk about what they've done and whether or not it works for them! (But of course, do what you're comfortable with - only you can decide if you're comfortable sharing your experience!)
@JacknSally So this was me the middle of last year. I was up against someone else who was thriving and doing amazing things. I felt needlessly competitive and wilted. I got so frustrated by myself and why I couldn't just get my head together and get it done. I was embarrassed by my supposed failures and it was just the worst feeling ever. So when you say you're not alone, you're not AT ALL! I think you're lovely and wonderful, and eventually things will click for you. Just don't put so much pressure on yourself that's where it starts to go south super quickly.
Yes. This.
So many of us go through periods like this - where we feel like we're not good enough, or everyone else is better than us, or we just can't do it. It's hard, but ultimately you have to realize that you can do this. We're here to support you when you need us, but the realization that you can do this has to come from within yourself. Just know that we believe you and we're here to support you whenever you're ready for us.
Like others I have kept my journey pretty private. I have just started on mine but I think with the people in my day to day life I won't be talking much about it. I have been struggling with my weight for years and finally it just clicked in my head that if I don't get this weight off now I could be going towards the health issues my parents have. I do not want to do that to my husband or my kids. I think eventually I might start sharing on a blog or maybe on a thread here just to talk about what is going on daily to get things off my chest. I truly hope though that eventually I can be an inspiration to others.
I think it's good that you realize that you need to do this for your family - starting in that direction makes you an inspiration. And if you want to share what you're doing and what you're going through, there will always be people here who want to hear about it!
QOTD- The only people I share anything about my weight loss story/challenges is with all of you. I have not done anything that i feel can be shared to encourage others. I am inspired by so many of you dealing with the many issues that come up in real life. I often feel lke i am on my own. My DH is a great guy but loses weight withour even trying so he does not get it nor is he really interested. He doesn;t do a good job of dealing with my health issues either-he just pretends they are not there. i am having another ultrasound for thyroid/goiter tomorrow, waiting on blood work,need a new endo..as long as there is food, clean clothes, bills paid...he is kind of in his own world. It does not leave me with much of a support system. I feel like if I am more successful at losing weight then maybe I can be of help to someone else.
Firstly - welcome back - I hope you had an awesome trip!
It's definitely hard when you don't have a support system at home, but we're here to support you whenever you need us!
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Okay ... me. I don't seem to be having my best day. It started off with family stuff (aka cable box issues). Then I just fell behind on my to-do list. I managed to catch up and actually get myself ahead of schedule ... but then I was a little bored, so I ate. Not good.
Overall, I'm calling today a draw. I could have done better, but not my best day ever.
Oh well, tomorrow is a new day.
What a frustrating setback. It looks like I've damaged the fat pad on my foot. So I haven't been able to work out for about 4 weeks. I'm not allowed to lift while on my feet and I can't be bare foot weight bearing. Basically I need pillows on my feet to walk anywhere. But I plan on heading to the gym tonight with my husband and doing some upper body and core work. So my goal right now is not necessarily weight loss. It's getting to the gym. Preferably three times a week at a minimum right now. So that's my goal!
