I'm still a work in progress with a long way to go. I've only lost 35 pounds so you can't really tell, but I'll post some anyway. I plan to lose 60 more so you'll be able to tell then. But here's what I've got so far.
You're joking, right? I can TOTALLY tell that you've lost 35 lbs! You're looking great!
Tip you'd like to share with everyone: It took me a long time to lose my all or nothing attitude, just because I had a M&M doesnt mean I failed so I might as well eat the whole bag and start again tomorrow. It's a lifestyle change not a diet, diets fail! If you are good 90% of the time and cheat here and there its OK! just be consistent and the positive things you do for your body WILL pay off you just have to stick to it.
You took the words right out of my mouth! That is exactly what I was going to say. The "lifestyle change vs. diet" thing is what finally helped me turn the corner. Once I learned that I wasn't going to lose weight just by cutting out certain foods, but rather by permanently changing my eating habits, I was able to lose weight and keep it off.
All right, now about myself.
name: Aaron
how long have you been a peep? since February-ish 2007
what you "do": I work with computers (computer programmer to be exact), but I hate computers. Go figure.
kids? None, but we're discussing it. I ain't getting any younger!
favorite junk food: Chocolate!!!
favorite healthy food: Carrots and apples (although, not together). Plus, as an added bonus, I can share both of these with my doggy.
tip you'd like to share with everyone: (I tend to get a bit long winded, so instead I'll just repost a list of things things that I learned that I first posted on here when I dropped below 200 lb.)
- I have discovered that there is no miracle cure. I've tried pills and shakes and everything imaginable over the past decade. But the only thing that has ever worked was eating smart and exercising. (Basically it took a complete lifestyle change and not just a "diet".)
- I have realized that losing weight takes time. It has been said countless times, but it took me 30 years to gain this weight, so I'm not going to take it all off in a week. As has become my motto - "Slow and Steady Wins the Race".
- I have learned from past experiences that once you lose weight, you can't get complacent. If you ease up on the gas peddle just a bit, those lost pounds will start finding their way back to your body.
- I have discovered that I have a lot more willpower than I ever thought possible.
- I have learned what food does to me, both good and bad. So now whenever someone brings donuts or cookies or some other sweet treat into work, I just think "I can't believe people would do that to themselves" and just walk away instead of grabbing for the biggest one.
- I have learned that I don't need dessert to make a meal complete. I also don't have to get an appetizer every time I go out for dinner.
- I have rediscovered my love of cooking. It is something that I really enjoy doing, and it is also better for me. I control what goes into my food, which in turn gives me control over what goes in my mouth.
- I have discovered that my weight does not define me. I used to think that everyone saw me as a big, lovable, jolly guy. And I was honestly a little afraid that if I lost weight, that would change. So I would tell myself that I'd probably always be heavy, so my only goal was to be "not as fat". But I now know that I'll be just as lovable and jolly, even if my belly doesn't jiggle like a bowl full of jelly. (And at the same time, I'm also embarrassed to talk about my weight loss because I don't want that to define me, either.)
- I have learned that I really can't do it on my own. Despite my very independent nature, there are some things that are easier when you have some help.
and of course we have to talk about what brings us together in the first place!
favorite disney park: Magic Kingdom at Disney World
favorite disney ride: Tough call. There are probably a 1/2 dozen at MK that I love, but if I had to pick just one I'd probably go with Space Mountain. Although, basically any of the "classic" rides at MK would make the list; including but not limited to: Haunted Mansion, Pirates, TTA, Small World, etc. Pretty much the ones that I remember riding as a kid.
favorite disney show: Does Carousel of Progress count? If not, then I don't have an answer since I'm not a big "show" person.
favorite disney resort: The only one I've stayed at is the Contemporary, so I'll have to go with that.
favorite disney TS: This is a tough one. My wife is a very picky eater, so we are limited on where we eat. That means no place that serves anything even remotely out of the ordinary. But we seem to like Tony's Town Square, although I did have a pretty good meal at the Plaza Restaurant last time.
favorite disney CS: Sommerfest in the German pavilion in Epcot. I love German food!
favorite disney movie: That's a easy one. The Lion King is in my top-3 favorite movies of all time (right up there with The Godfather).
And now my weight progression...
(I really need to take a new "current" picture, because I am really embarassed to have that picture with me in my plain white Hanes t-shirt. What was I thinking???)
I'm about 7 pounds lighter now than I was in the last picture (I was 157.6 this morning), but I don't think my appearance has changed at all.
I'm drinking water like crazy to flush it out.
if you've lost any weight since you've been here, post a "before" picture too. or several "during" pictures if you wish. those are always interesting to look at to see the progress! oh, and feel free to ask more questions if you want to!
But I'll get there. 
You've done so great too! Really inspiring. 
