Sorry for not replying in a long time and THANK YOU for writing and explicit response. It was very informative and I enjoyed reading it very much.

With that said, isn't it funny how the world treats you differently based on how you look and appear. Unfortunately, it's true. With that being said, there is nothing to be ashamed of, everyone makes mistake and goofed up; the difference is that you have amazing mental will power to make a CHANGE.

You know what though, like spidey says, "What does not kill you makes you stronger." Now you get to see life from both an overweight person and a fit one. It's a unique experience that many don't get to experience. Feel fortunate that you had it. Oh btw, getting back to being fit is a good thing and nothing to be ashamed of; and if you do feel ashame, know that everyone have some / many skeletons in their closet.

Let me end by give you a big fat Congradulation and the phsyical change and wish you luck on the mental and spirit journey that you are embarking on. Just some unsolicited advices.

1) Getting to the body / physique that you want is hard. Keeping it and sustaing it over your whole life is the true challenge.

2) Now that your body is toned (which is great), have you noticed that your mind is hungry and wants some training? How about the spirit? Remember to train the mind, body, and soul (its a cliche but it works).

3) If you feel like you are getting a big head, try doing some other activities outside your comfort zone (your weak points). For example, I love lifting weight and gets compliments pretty often from strangers about my strength or physique (its nice and gives me a sense of reward for all the hard work and dieting that I put in to get here). To counter this, I go practice yoga. Here, I am a pretty fit guy and getting my ego put into check because slender woman (younger and some much older) are doing poses which I am dying to even come close to. It's a humbling experience everytime and a constant reminder that everyone have their special quality.

4) Last but not least, life is what you make of it and you will find what you are looking for. If you are looking for the beauty and wonders of life, you will see it; however, if you are constantly looking for detrimental things in your life, well you will find that too.

Opps sorry for all the unsolicited advices (just trying to help).

Just catching up reading this post. Happy Birthday and did you install in a ceiling mirror so that you can see yourself when you first open your eyes? Just kidding. Oh and btw, have you ever done this? Have you check out an image off a mirrior sometimes and go, wow that gal have a nice body and look up to the face and noticed that it was you? What I am saying is, did you check yourself out by accident and complimented someone until you realize it was you? "

Tic, thank you so much for an unbelievable motivating post. You wouldn't believe how much what you wrote is exactly what I needed to read.

Yes my mind wants to be trained and I'm throwing myself into a psychology course which then will hopefully allow me to become a trained social worker. The biggest challenge I face is slipping into negative nancy mode where I return to the no hoper I used to be and don't like myself. It happens when I don't have much going on in my life and feel lazy so I need to remind myself that I DO things now, I don't just sit around and wait for the day to pass.

Everyday is a gift and I want to spend every moment with as mile on my face. Thank you everyone for your kind and loving words.

Hello everypennyspent, as I said earlier congratulation your fantastic transformation!! Can you post more pictures of the 'new you'??? Cheers!

You look amazing, congratulations... how old are you?
Also, congratulations on finding out how shallow and stupid people can be :P Here's hoping you have a really fulfilling life, intellectually and otherwise.

Hahaha funny you ask that question because I was looking through some photos from my cousins party and saw a photo where I had left my hair naturally curly and when I saw it I thought "God she's stunning" then I realised it was me HAHAHA very very vain.

I actually came back on to share this video footage with everyone, I was a finalist in a "New you" competition at my gym and just recieved the footage from it today so thought it would be nice to share it with you about my journey. Hopefully I'll figure out how to post a video! Ok maybe a link will work better...

Damn, you've got such a great attitude, you kick ass!

That's it...I'm moving to Australia!!

Concur!!!

Great video except for the corny music though. Keep it up. Like you said, we all fall just pick yourself back up and go at it again, HARDER. Well, I fell off the wagon but getting myself back on it again, ahead of new years.

I hear the manager of the Fitness First 1:1 progam had an orgasm watching this ;-)
In all seriousness though this is fantastic - thank you for posting the video! I watched this in the AM and I"m sure it's going to get me motivated for the rest of the day!

Cheers!

Laura,

Thanks for posting that video and the inspiration. I think you're very lucky in that underneath your fat was the frame and genetics for a really nice shaped body. Let's face it, there are plenty of woman who will lose weight or don't have fat to begin with....but they don't have the curves, lines, shape & figure you apparently had underneath, nor the pretty face. It's really great to see how you polished-up and blossomed into who you are now...it's also nice to hear you enjoying it.

Some people will call it vanity, but in order to lose weight and stay on it, you have to want it bad.....and there's nothing wrong with indulging in that delight once you get there. It's not vanity, it's being proud of what you accomplished! You should change your s/n from EveryPennySpent to EveryMomentEnjoyed.

I'm going to put you and your video on my mental list of inspiration that I often think of while I'm exercising. That means that at some point, unaware to you, someone might be thinking of you and what you did. I hope I could be such an inspiration to people one day....I'm making some waves, but not quite on your level just yet.

Great work, keep it up.

WOW! What you did is quite amazing. Respect to you Laura

You've got it all going on and then some. I'm so impressed and proud of you for what you've done.

You can do anything, girl

You're pretty good looking. Unfortunately when the music came on I had to end it

i hardly know you and yet i'm soooooooo proud of you!
that's an exellent video!! nice of you to share with all of us.
if i were you i'd feel so on top of the world! great job with everything!!!!

What a women, eh.

Fabulous, just fabulous...

This thread is motivating...I'll be putting myself through a transformation come January, I'll come here for the motivation I need and for a taste of what I MIGHT accomplish, I mean geez how can I measure up to THAT! wow!

Not many people got what it takes to do what you've done...and you did it quite amazingly well. Just remember, if some guys suddenly felt like they wanted more than to be friends with you all of a sudden after this transformation it might not be because you are prettier or in better shape but because you showed them what you are really made of...maybe that is what attracts them...most people are attracted to beautiful flesh, but others are even more attracted by self-accomplished women who are in charge of themselves.

My 2 cents.

It doesn't change the fact though - you are sizzling