Today is my Nine Month South Beach Anniversary!

[ZerasPride]

I want to take a moment and thank everyone of my fellow WISHers for being here and offering support and encouragement to me every step of the way of this journey. I still have approximately another nine months to go but I'm at approximately 59% of my goal and know I'll get to the finish line.

I have had days where I felt like I could soar above the clouds and nothing bad could touch me and I've had days when I have felt so low I thought I would never see the light of day again. Through it all, someone from this board has been there for me and I appreciate it so much!

When I first started South Beach on December 1, 2003, I expected to have some mild success but thought this attempt at dieting would fail like all the other attempts I have made in the past. This time was different and something in the back of mind knew it. A big part of my being able to be successful has been this board and each of you. What a great bunch of people you are. I don't know if it's feeling like I have my own private cheering section, being able to earn the beautiful clippies, the challenges or being able to keep a journal (or maybe some combination of all of these things) that helps keep me going but I never thought I'd be headed towards a year of this way of eating and exercising but here I am!

There have been tangible benefits as a result of my efforts: losing close to 80 pounds, going from a size 26 pants to fitting into my favorite pair of size 12 slacks, going from a size 9 to a size 7-1/2 shoe and losing 70+ inches; but the intangible ones are just as sweet: feeling like I can hold my head up high, knowing I have a place to come and express my triumphs and frustrations, having the stamina to work out 7 days per week and the list could go on and on.

I'll stop this before this gets any longer. I just wanted to say thanks to each of you for helping make this "diet" a way of life for me now.

 

[thotfulspot]

Good for you, Lisa!! Your hard work and positive attitude -- and results! -- are such an amazing inspiration to us all!! Keep it up and it'll be no time at all before you'll turn sideways and everyone in the room will ask 'Hey, where'd Lisa go?'

 

[Princess Michelle]

You really are amazing, Lisa. I can't tell you how happy I am for you. I know you are going to reach your final goal just as you have reached the level that you are at right now.

 

[helenk]

Congrats on your anniversary. You have been an inspiration to so many people. You always seem to have a positive attitude.
With all you have going for you, you will reach your goal in no time!

 

[July]

Congratulations Lisa

You are doing so good and are a inspiration to me.

July

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

Congrats to you on ALL your accomplishments. You truly are an inspirations to newbie WISH'ers like me. I know you will reach goal and the WISH family is a huge part of it, as you said in your post.

The other night I was sweating through my workout on the Nordic Track and I wasn't sure I was going to get through it...but I imagined all you guys cheering me on...c'mon Jean, you're almost done, don't give up now...it really works...I also think about who else in WISHworld is exercising along with me now?
And I really want a new clippie! So I will persist...

Congratulations again!!!

 

[CruisingCA2005]

Congratulations Lisa!

Like many of the other posters have said, you are an inspiration to a lot of the WISHers. I see posts from you everyday posting your exercise minutes, in your journal, and you also post supportive messages for the rest of us. Keep it up!!

 

[kayeandjim00]

Way to go Lisa! You are such an inspiration to so many WISHers myself included. I'm so proud of you and look forward to reading more about your succesful journey.

 

[Minniespal]

Lisa,

You are doing so well and truly are an inspiration to myself and all the other Wishers on the board.

I know this time that you are going to succeed. I have felt the same way this time as I embarked on yet another method of weight loss. There was something inside me that knew that this time would be different.

I can relate to what you are saying about the differing ways that you feel. There are days when I wonder what all the fuss with losing weight is because I feel so alive and the weight loss is going so well. These are the times that I try and think about when I am desperately trying to drag myself out of the black hole that I feel that I am in.

At these times it is so nice to know that there are people out there that care about you and can help you stay on the straight and narrow.

 

[catherine]

Congratulations Lisa on your anniversary, and all of your other accomplishments! You really are an inspiration to a lot of WISHers myself included. I love to read your post, some of which have brought me to tears! I am so happy for you. I know how you feel! You deserve to be where you are right now, you have put a lot of hard work into this, and I know that you'll get to where you want to be. Good luck and PD **** for the rest of your journey!

 

[DVCTiff]

Lisa - Thank YOU so much for letting us all be a part of your journey. As I struggle through every day, I gain so much comfort in knowing I have this community behind me. You are truly and inspiration and on days when I can't celebrate my own accomplishments, I can always celebrate yours. Congratulations!

 

[panfan]

Lisa.....CONGRATULATIONS !!!!

You deserve to feel proud and special each and every day!! Your hard work has really paid off. There's no doubt with the way things are going for you...you will keep on going till you reach your goal!

You should also feel proud of not only your weightloss/fitness accomplishments but also in what an inspiration you have become to fellow WISHers! You have made a major impact on my summer as well as many others ! Just this morning I got up at 5:30 am and excercised for the very first time EVER. And the whole time I was thinking....If Lisa can do it ...so can I!
Thanks so much for being there for me!

Once again ....Congratulations and if you have another "bad day" just pull this thread up and read how far you have come and see how many people you have rooting for you!

Have a Healthy Day

 

[sueg]

ZerasPride,
We share South Beach & the FIRM. But your accomplishments are truly amazing and truly your own. You should be proud. SGG

 

[sm4987]

So happy for you Lisa. You must feel so accomplished doing all you have in this time span. Congratualtions and keep up the good work

 

[princesstommi]

What a fabulous accomplishment! Congratulations to you! You are such an inspiration!

 

[AprilN]

Lisa,

Congratulations on your anniversary! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with all of us. Keep it up!

 

[plutosmyfav]

Lisa you rock!!!!

Like I say to all the "Big Losers"-- I wanna see pics!!!!!

Congratulations, you are such a great presence on this board. I love hearing your posts and seeing your clippie-- what an inspiration.

Sundie

 

[ZerasPride]

Thanks so much everyone for celebrating with me! So many of you say that I am inspiring to you but I can't tell you the number of days I've dragged myself out of bed to work out thinking of you all and how you are doing the same thing. Each of you inspire me and help to keep me going. We are so fortunate to have this community of caring and thoughtful people.

Each of your posts made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I'll take this sunny and positive feeling and use it throughout the coming days when I'm feeling down for one reason or another. Thanks again for being here for me and I hope I am returning the favor and being supportive of each of you!

Big hugs from me to you all!!!!!

Regarding pictures - I'm not very technology savvy but I do have a scanner at home and I'm going to try to figure out how to post some "before" and "durings" soon!

 

[nativetxn]

Congratulations on your anniversary, Lisa. I'm so proud of you!

 

[LAinSEA]

Lisa:

Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Your amazing continuing success is becaue of your equally amazing spirit. You believe, and we believe, and together we get there.

What is apparent from your success is that this is not a diet, or an exercise program, it has become you and your family's way of life. Being healthy is now your way of life.

Stay positive! and a great big Congratulations!

-Laurie