Hi Guys. I get emails from all over the world every day. Most of them are from people I’ve never met. That’s a cool part of my life. Thankfully, they (the emails) are mostly nice. 
Occasionally, I receive one that brings a tear to my eye and makes me realise why I love what I do here at me-dot-com. Today was such a day. Please take three minutes out of your life to read Mel’s letter. It’s worth it.
Hi Craig,
I once made a comment on one of your articles about how I was losing weight; it was quite a while ago. You responded to me that you would like to see my before and after pictures when I had finished losing my weight. You told me to send you the pictures and you would make me a star (lol), now I don’t know about the star thing (lol) but I did set myself a goal when you said that to me to complete my journey and send you my pictures. I have not sent them until now as I was thinking he probably only said it to be nice… blah, blah, blah (insert insecurity here lol), but I want to complete my goal regardless of the outcome – so here are my pictures.
In the ‘before’ pictures I am 121.8kg (268 lbs) and they were taken at my daughter’s 1st birthday party. I weighed myself the day after her party and cried and cried when I saw the number on the scales. My BMI was 40.7 and I could not walk for long as I would get exhausted, sweaty and chaffed. I hid inside my house and was so embarrassed that I could hardly look people in the eye. I would not even go to my letterbox until it was dark for fear of being seen. I remember a day when I was sitting in my own backyard and the neighbour’s kids yelled over the fence “why don’t you join Jenny Craig?” I was mortified to say the least.
I decided to do something about my weight, after many failed attempts I made a decision that, no matter how long it took or how hard it was, I was going to get this weight off me. I got out my old Weight Watchers books from a previous attempt and started planning out what I needed to do.
I won’t sugar coat it and say it was easy and the weight just fell off, it was bloody hard work, it was exhausting to just walk to the end of my street but I kept going, pushing myself a little bit extra each week, and as the weight came off, I started to believe in myself (even when those around me were going yep yep here she goes again, it won’t last long).
I kept going, I adopted the mantra of nothing and no one will keep me fat. We all use so many excuses why we can’t do it: fight with my husband and bam there goes a family sized pizza down the gob. Stress at work: yep really need that chocolate and so on and so forth. I refused to react to external stimuli, some days it was easy others it was a bloody nightmare but I did it. I was told by certain members of my family that I wasn’t fun anymore because I refused to get drunk and because I refused to ruin my resolve – and also because I didn’t want to consume a whole heap of empty calories. I was told I was different and too serious now…. blah, blah, blah. I was laughed at and teased about what I chose to eat etc. I never gave up, I just quietly thought to myself nothing and no one will keep me fat.
I was not perfect. I had times when I put a kilo or more back on around Christmas time etc but I refused to give up. I just kept going and took that sucker that crept back on off again. I went through my mum being diagnosed with cancer, finding out that my husband had an affair, nursing my mum and dealing with her death via suicide – all while I was on my weight loss journey. I did not use these things as an excuse, I kept going. I just kept repeating that nothing and no one will keep me fat.
Today, four years on from that horrible day that I weighed in at 121.8kg (268 lbs), I am now 65kgs (143 lbs) – having lost a total of 56kgs (123 lbs). I have a BMI of 21.7 and I am fit and healthy. I love the new me. Yes I love how I look now but more importantly, I love how I feel. I now have the energy to play with my kids. I can run, jump and skip with them. I can fit on the slippery dip at the local park. I can play and live my life again. I am confident and happy. Weight-loss is not the solution to life’s problems but it helps you to deal with them when you are at your healthiest. I did not magically change on the inside just because the outside changed but it gave me the courage and strength to change other areas in my life and to look at myself with honesty.
I want to thank you Craig. You were with me on my entire journey. I read your articles and you inspired me. I wasn’t looking for someone to give me excuses to give up I was looking for the tough love you dish out. You helped me more than you will ever realise and for that I say, thank you. You are a remarkable man and should be very proud of the difference you are making in people’s lives and the world.
It took me 1.5 years to lose the weight in a healthy sustainable manner and I have now been maintaining it for about 1.5 years.
Your post today inspired me to follow through on my goal of sending you my pictures, so here they are. Do with them what you will. If they can be used to help others go for your life. I am just glad I have finally completed that last goal.
Love Mel.
Congratulations Mel. I’m proud of you and you’re an inspiration to all of us.
Of course this letter was published with Mel’s permission (very brave and honest), so feel free to send a little cyber-love her way. She has told me (we just spoke on the phone for the first time) that she will answer questions - if anyone has one.
Enjoy your weekend all.
Group hug… ( )
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{ 98 comments… read them below or add one }
I just want to say you’re awesome Mel, yourself- I hope you realise that.
You have worked for and deserve all the good things that have come because you focused and worked on yourself . Congratulations-
I am inspired.
Congratulations Mel! Your letter is very inspiring. And I’m especially impressed with how you stick to your resolve!
Guido (southern Germany)
wow you are looking fab-u-lous mel!! thanks for sharing them with us.
Kate
Wow thats me lol….
That before photo has sat in my cupboard since it was taken, I hid it in shame and have only shown it to 3 people, ha ha ha not any more its all over the world lol….Wow….very liberating to tell you the truth.
Thanks Guys your comments are very touching, I am happy if I just inspire even one other person to stand up for themselves and say I am worth it, and Thank you Craig….
Mel you look fantastic! You are one very strong lady to push on through the tough times. Well done, you should be very proud, and your kids must love having their mum to play with!
Loretta
P.S. Your daughter is absolutely GORGEOUS..
Wow what a difference, thats awesome, Congratulations.
Your looking really good. Makes me want to try even harder to get to where i want. Thanks for sharing the photos. Tanya
Wow what an awesome story, thanks for sharing that Craig.
And Mel you are an inspiration to everyone, well done for achieving you goals no matter what obstacles you had in front of you!
Mel,
That’s a smile worth all the hard work.
Sorry for all the challenges along the way.
Congratulations and thanks for sharing, I’m totally inspired by your strength.
xxxooo
Mel, WOW!!!! What an awesome job you’ve done, and you’re such an inspiration. Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up with all the stress and emotion, well done on staying true!!!!
Thanks Craig for publishing Mel’s story!!!
hugs,
Chelle xxx
Mel, an awesome story, thanks for sharing. What a wonderful day for you when you made the choice to no longer to be fat.
You look absolutely wonderful and I bet your children love the new healthy and energetic you.
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Wow – very impressive. Congratulations!
You have done an awesome job.
I really want to put up my photos too… But I’m waiting to be completely satisfied (which could be a while!!!). Shelley
That can’t possibly be you. You really look great!! Congratulations on finishing your journey. CrimsonTide
What a beautiful piece! Totally inspiring, I definately said ‘woah’ out loud on the second picture! It’s definately an illustration to what Craig has rambling on about for so long
Hugs all round! () xx
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Fantastic Mel!
You look terrific and what you have achieved is awe inspiring! Well done on staying committed to the cause, not letting the comments of those around you get in your way. What is even more terrific is you are able to maintain this and don’t let setbacks and minor slips and moods keep you ‘off the wagon’.
You are a big inspiration……………….change can happen and be sustained!
Pip
Mel, well done!!! You look awesome!! Congrats! You must be feeling on top of the world with how far you have come. Your body will be thanking you big time.
My starting weight was a little above yours, and I’m hoping to get to about 70kgs.
Keep it up.
Mel your photos are inspirational. you look fantastic. It’s nice to see the after shots of someone around my size so I have an idea of how completely different I’ll look. Well done you look so confident now.
Gosh, you look fantastic, well done.
It sure is worth 3 mins … Mel, you look great! Congrats, the hard work paid off
Hey Craig !!
Hi Mel… wow !!!!!!! Congratulations… you look fantastic !! What a brilliant effort… you truly are an inspiration !
I couldn’t believe my ears and eyes tonight when I saw that *insert adjective/s* 42 year old woman on TV who weighs 260 kgs and is trying to double it to get in the Guinness Book of Records !!!! And the worst part is, she has a 3 yr old daughter… does she not care if her baby grows up without a mother ???!!!! What the hell does she think she is achieving ???!!!!!
OK… cooling down now… whew…….. sorry…. just had to let that out !!
{{HUG}} Tina
Well done Mel – what an amazing achievement, you should be so proud. I completely agree with you, weight loss is not the answer to every problem in life, but my god when you’re fit, healthy and have a halfway decent self esteem things are so much easier to deal with!
You’ve proved that with hard work, steely determination and just the desire to live the life you know you deserve and being willing to do whatever it takes…you can get there! Enjoy the health, energy and happiness that you’ve worked so hard for. I really enjoyed hearing your story! xx
Mel, your resolve in the face of serious challenges is absolutely amazing. You look great and you sound so healthy (emotionally and physically) You rock!
TracyB (USA-Missouri)
Thanks so much for sharing such a personal, real-life story. I’m always inspired by someone being faced with life’s inevitable stressors and yet triumph. It reminds me that this journey is all about endurance and change and not another quick fix.
“Nothing – and no one – will keep me fat.” I have a new mantra! Mel, congratulations to you. You look fabulous and fit. Well done! Thank you for sharing your truly inspirational story. You must feel that ALL things are possible now. How empowering!!!
Debra
Here I sit in the USA feeling sorry for myself and i read your story. I am very proud of your accomplishments. I have been in a similar situation and haven’t stepped up to the plate yet and taken my first swing at getting things back together, What I really need to do is push away the plate and commit. Your strength and honesty inspires all of us. Even those who are afraid of the change and to take the first step.
I am a personal trainer and like Craig it is emails and feedback like this that makes what we do the most amazing and rewarding job ever! I feel blessed that I have truly found my calling to help people like you. Your journey is real and your story is beuatifully told, thank you for sharing : ) x
Well done Mel, and thanks for sharing your story and pictures with us. I hope that Devil’s Advocate is still around to see that weight loss really is about an individual making a simple decision and non-negotiable commitment. It’s a simple decision, but nobody is saying that it is easy. I know how hard it can be. But your story is proof that when a person takes responsibility for their own actions, and doesn’t try to shift the blame via a million academically researched and politically correct published excuses, that is when real results are achieved.
Mel, you are an inspiration to us all. Fantastic.
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Mel, what an inspiration.
You look so happy in the after picture, I love that big smile!
You’re amazing.
Mel you are an absolute Rockstar!
Well done on your consistency and achieving what you knew you could.
Youve inspired me to keep plodding along even when the going isnt easy.
Any tips for getting the last few stubborn little buggers off? Mine last few KGs seem to be VERY attached to me, and dont want to leave!!
WOW Mel!!! What a journey – thank you for sharing it so honestly with us. Such commitment, persistence and consistency. And as someone already pointed out – that smile says so much! Congratulations on your change towards your life! xx
Wow congrats on this awesome achievement,
I have been at the same starting weight as you and need to get to your goal – but I do struggle with things and am an emotional eater which I need to learn to deal with.
What excercise did you do while on your journey???
Did you follow the WW concept/plan the whole time or did you learn about other options (whole foods, vegetarian, no carbs after 3pm,etc) along the way.
Thanks for the inspiration
Lisa in NZ
Mel,
Hi and Wow! What an amazing tranformation. I read your letter and just sat here crying. It was wonderful and inspirational. For me, weight is not really a big issue but my “mental health” has taken a battering over the last couple of years.
To be totally honest, while I think your weight lose is fantastic what I really got from your letter was the change in You! I loved that you never gave up on yourself and that you did not allow any one else to be in charge of your life. That is truly inspirational to me.
Thank you for allow us to hear your story. I has really helped me to remember not to give up on me. Just what I needed to hear right now, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Hugs to you for your courage. May life always be joyous!
Congratulations Mel! You’ve overcome the demons in your life and stuck to your guns. You look absolutely fantastic and really are an inspiration to so many others who visit this site.
Your before and after photos are amazing and show how true grit and determination (rather than motivation) can get you to the finish line. Well done girl.
Hey Mel…thanks so much for sharing your story with the rest of us…I am so impressed by your honesty and attitude throughout some tough times in your journey….it is just what I needed to hear as I have lost around 20 kilos since October and the past little while have really been struggling to stay focussed on my goal….this and Craig’s most recent posts have come at just the right time for me…so thanks to both of you….
Congratulations Mel and congratulations Craig on providing the inspiration. Your letter has inspired us all.
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful and truly inspirational story Mel. How much exercise are you doing now to maintain your fitness?
Mel, I’m not going to make any more excuses after reading about your journey, most of them are lame anyway, I don’t even had kids to look after (shame on me for being such a lazy bum lol!!)
Hi Craig and Mel
Mel, congratulations my friend.
From one former Fat chick to another, I know precisely the challenges one faces when deciding to lose a truck load of weight.
You are right, it takes a lot of bloody hard work. And I too found that other people’s judgements were one of the hardest challenges. But you did it !! You didn’t let it beat you. And the pride and self acceptance you gain from achieving your goals makes you stand a little taller.
Congratulations Mel, you are an inspiration to others.
Nicole
xx
Mel – what an amazing story and achievement. Thanks so much for sharing. I loved your commitment and admire your tenacity. May the joy and benefits of a happy, healthily lived life continue to flow your way.
WOW!!!! thank you Mel for sharing.
Hi Mel,
You have brought a tear to my eye!!! A happy one of that . . . it’s good to see a sucess story that’s not sugar coated!!
I feel like in the last few years everything I’ve tried I haven’t finished and this time I am going to finish what I started!!! Thanks for sharing that it DOES happen, it’s not easy and it’s all about being the best person you can be!!
Thanks xoxo
Nothing & no one will keep me fat! That’s such a great saying and I will adopt from now on. Congrats Mel, be proud of your achievement. You certainly have inspired me to stop making excuses and just go for it.
Hey Mel,
Now thats what I am talking about!
Great job. I love your line -
“Weight-loss is not the solution to life’s problems but it helps you to deal with them when you are at your healthiest”.
Enjoy your life.
Well done Mel,
I bet you run out to that letterbox now!!!
It takes alot of discipline to achieve what you did, and I think you succeeded because you did it for you and noone else.
I hope you continue to inspire others.
Mel, thank you for sharing your story and being HONEST about how hard it has been. Your tenacity is so inspiring to me. I don’t even know you and I’m SO PROUD OF YOU!
Mel. I can’t stop the tears.
What an amazing woman you are. You talk about Craig being awestome etc (and he is) but you and your story will inspire woman all over the world. Your writing style is honest and heartfelt.
You look fabulous and I admire you greatly. I am going to print your story out and pin it to my wall and use it to inspire me to get to the gym. Even tho I don’t have weight to lose I find your determination in the face of all the ‘stuff’ you faced incredible.
Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Jayne
Power of the mind. You CAN do anything you put your mind to and you’ve just proved that.
You are an amazingly strong person Mel, you have inspired so many to get out there and have a go. It’s not impossible, it’s bloody hard work, but oh so rewarding. Congratulations, I’m sure your kids are extremely proud of you, we all are.
Thanks for sharing your journey. That must have been very difficult for you.
xx
Congratulations on reaching your goal Mel, you look fantastic! Your strength through such emotional challenges is truely inspiring. I am planning to bookmark this page and revisit it every time I am feeling like throwing my goals out the window for the day (or for the length of time it takes to order a pizza). If you can go through these devastating events and still not use it as an excuse, then I can certainly get through a bad day at work or a lonely night home alone. I started the year weighing 145kg, and my goal is 75kg so I have a long way to go, but I’m already down to 136 and I don’t plan to let anything get in my way this time. Even as I type this, sitting at my desk at work, 9 girls around me are all eating caramel mudcake AND will not stop ‘ooohing’ over how good it tastes, but having just read your story I am not even feeling a little bit deprived, in fact I feel stronger than ever for being able to resist
Thank you so much for bravely sharing your story and your photos with the world!
What an amazing story Mel.
I feel absolutley humbled. Well done and congratulations from the very bottom of my heart.
I was working out with a friend this morning talking about Craig’s post the other day about ‘commitment even when you are not motivated and don’t feel,like it’. YOU have just completed that story.
What an amazing and very beautiful wowman you are.
Glow in your own glory, you derserve it
Love Karen in Perth
How absolutely fabulous. Well done – and that’s just such an understatement. That you stuck by your goal/mantra through some very tough times really shows just what a fantastic person you are and what an awesome role model you are for your daughter. You inspire me. Thank you so much for sharing.
Fiona, Melbourne.
You are awesome Mel.
OMG Mel, it really is life or death! This is where we can lose our focus so much!
Thank you for sharing this heart felt truth… it really does bring us back to basics and to be honest you have inspired me.. that average as a coach is not going to be good enough! I hope i have the same honesty, focus, determination and strength that you encompass ! Love Kate X
Good Morning Guys,
Well now you all have me all teary lol, thank you so much for all your words, I feel humbled and honoured at the moment I can tell you.
I woke at 3.00am last night in a sweat think OMG what have I done my photos and my story are racing around all over the world. OMG everyone will be able to see me, I mean really see me not only on the outside but on the inside also. I got up had some water and thought ah stuff it who cares, its me, its my story and thats all there is to it, I went back to bed lol. Amazing clarity comes at 3.00am when you just want to go back to bed.
I awoke to all of your lovely comments and I KNEW I had done the right thing. You are all so gorgeous to take the time out of your day to comment to me. I truly feel blessed to be able to share my story with you and I thank you Craig for that.
Now to answer your questions,
How did I get off those last few Kgs?
You just keep going, no matter how small the loss each week or no loss at all you just keep going. Some weeks at the end I would only lose 100grams others none at all but I kept pushing at it, I never stopped believing it would come off. I changed my exercise around a bit (added some interval running to my walks) and I tried different foods that I normally did not eat, we can get stuck in a bit of a safe rut sometimes with our eating and I am no expert but my body seemed to respond to the change in food. If you keep going and push though it will start to come off again. Craig would be able to give an expert opinion on this one lol.
What plan did I follow?
I used the Weight Watchers points system, I did not go to meetings, I used old books I had from a previous attempt and I had invaluable help by chatting on their online boards with many people on the same journey. We created challenges to motivate us and we supported each other. I like WW because it is easy to fit into your lifestyle and I believe it actually teaches you how to change your life not just lose weight. At the end of the day I dont think it matters what diet or plan you follow as long as you follow something lol and actually do it. Some of them I think are not to good for you and a bit of a fad and could do damage but I am no expert by any means just a personal opinion.
What exercise did I do and still do to maintain?
I would like to say I run marathons and have climbed Mount Everest ha ha ha lol but I haven’t, I walked and walked and walked, when it got too easy I added massive hills into my routine (I live in the Blue Mountains of NSW Australia). As my times got faster I made myself walk further in the same amount of time, when I got fitter I added short intervals of running into my walks. I also just simply became more active in my own life, playing with the kids, running up my stairs instead of walking. I still love to walk and I also love Pilates. I love what I can do with my body now and how strong it feels. Once again nothing special just use what you have around you and just do something, anything, just move more.
Today my life is alot better than it was but it is not perfect. I have my down days just like everyone else but I make a choice each time to pick myself up and get on with my day. That is all life is a choice. Sounds simple I know but guess what it really is, strip away all the crap and conditioning and it is just a choice. Some days that choice is painful and it sucks and you don’t want to do it, its easier to stay in bed but it is still a simple choice, not an easy choice maybe but still just a choice. Keep making your choice over and over again because you are the only one who can and you are worth it.
Love Mel
Well done Mel, you are an inspiration to us all.
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First time commenter, long time reader.
Where I have struggled in the past is when I have weeks where I’m not losing anything a all, maybe put on a little, or dropped a tiny amount. When you wrote “Some weeks at the end I would only lose 100grams others none at all but I kept pushing at it, I never stopped believing it would come off”. This is the key for me.
Thank you and thanks Craig for sharing this wonderful story.
Feels like a Weight Watchers Forum
Good work well done. You look great Mel
Well done Mel. You are truly amazing. Now that you have reached your goal, don’t stop maintaining your weight. You are such an inspiration to us all.
Love Dianne
Thank you for sharing your journey. You rock.
What an awesome story. Thanks so much for having the courage to share it Mel. No doubt you’ll be an inspiration to many! How sad that those around you didn’t support your efforts though.
Wow that brought me to tears. You are an amazing & encouraging woman. I especially loved your resolve & mantra. Thank you for sharing your story Mel, I have learnt a lot from you.
Your also hot
Can I pick up one point you make – you keep going – that’s the key in anything. This morning I was ready to exit the world but then I read what you wrote and thought, well, ok, maybe not then so thanks
A fantastic story, Mel. You should be so proud of yourself. And you’ve given me inspiration to keep going when nothing seems to happen despite all my efforts. Thank you.
Hi Mel,
Congratulations–you are sheer example of If u believe u can-you can!!!
Thanx to Craig too—I was very confused abt motivation-I always felt its motivation that keeps one going, but now I realised Commitment is very imp.
Wish u all the very best,
Luv u,
Sheela.
Why thank you Michael!
I am very happy that you did not exit the world. It is a sucky place to be sometimes but it is also a beautiful, magical place to be. Life can and does hurt sometimes but I believe it is not our circumstances that defines us but our reaction to them.
Yes I do keep going, I have made a choice to. There was a time in my life when I hardly ever followed through on anything I attempted and I was very discouraged and depressed. Slowly but surely I turned my self around by making the decision over and over again to just keep going. Sometimes it is an easy decision other times it is a minute by minute decision.
I believe that is all determination is making that decision over and over again as many times as you have to until you get to where you need to be.
Thank you for taking the time to comment to me I really appreciate it and I am so glad my words helped you.
Dear Mel,
Thank you so much for courageously sharing your story with us and what an amazing journey it has been. I cannot tell you how much I admire your resolve, particularly in the face of all of the set backs along the way. There is much to be learned from the way you made your choices and how you prioritised your health and well being. Standing by your choices when some tried to pull you down is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations and thanks. What an inspiration!
Totally inspirational Mel – thank you for sharing your story. Thank you also for succeeding (I am now like you were in the beginning and it gives me enormous hope to read your story).
Jen
Congratulations Mel. What a fantastic effort. You are living proof that with correct nutrition and exercise anyone WILL lose weight. I wish everyone that was contemplating gastric banding could read your story.
I hope you have a very active, healthy and happy life and continue to motivate and encourage others.
Congrats Mel, What an amazing lesson you have provided your children. Peace inside and out….
Well done Mel, you should be very proud of yourself!! I have 14 kilos to lose and have only been on the weight loss journey for 2 weeks. I will use your saying “nothing and no one is going to keep me fat” when I feel my resolve weakening. I hope that I can be as successful as you as I really want to feel healthier and become more confident. The icing on my cake will be the thrill of being able to fit nicely into my clothes and look in the mirror and like what I see. Thanks for sharing Mel.
Mel!!!
You are AMAZING! Thank you for sharing your story, and especially for emphasizing that you just *kept on going*, and that it’s not alyways easy, sometimes it’s hard.
Thank you again for telling us all about your journey – it’s truly inspiring and certainly helped motivate me another day to just keep at it!
Hi Craig. I am new to your site so I am not sure who is who. Was I the only one to pick up on Michael’s comment on ‘exiting the world’ this morning. No-one batted an eyelid???
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Hi Jessie,
Craig runs this fabulous site and is the man, I had the wonderful opportunity yesterday of telling my story and answering any questions which was such a privilege.
I responded to Michael yesterday in my comment 3 down after his. Scroll back up and you will find it, it starts with “Why thank you Michael”.
Awesome of you to care and to follow up when you thought no one responded to him.
Cheers,
Mel
Mel, that’s so awesome. In small part, I can relate to you. I say in small part because I lost 40 pounds a few years ago and even that took tremendous focus and discipline. I can only imagine the persistence and dedication you have with your ability to get where you are now.
Mel, with your permission, I’d like to relay your story on my website as well – nothing more than a paragraph summary of you and your story and a link either to this page or your website, whichever you prefer – heck I may just link to both, that might be easiest.
Keep rockin’ and thanks for your inspiration.
Hi Jessie – I have only just read all the comments now. Thanks for saying hi.
And Michael, if you would like to talk, I’m happy to chat with you. Email me and we’ll organise it. Look after yourself.
Thanks so much for generously sharing your story, what an inspiration you are! Next time I am finding pushups too hard, or hovers almost impossible, or a run exhausting, I can think of your story
I lost about 10 kg, so went from 69kg to 59 about a year ago, that means I went to dissatisfied with myself, but “passable” in most people’s eyes, to now feeling pretty fab!!! All of the things you describe are true. It is a battle, it’s tough, but it’s worth it.
Maintaining the weight loss is a bit like that too, but once you are in a routine, well you just stick with it.
See Mel – people care
and now YOU have motivated and inspired (many) others. Keep up the great work.
Thanks everyone.
Thanks Mel, for being so transparent, and willing to answer questions, too. I am going to adopt your mantra as my own. “No one and nothing is going to keep me fat”!!
Wow! Brilliant Mel, and so courageous to share your story, truly inspirational, thank you
xx
Hi Mel,
I think you are very courageous. I rarely post on blogs, you are worth posting for. Well done for your achievement, and sharing your journey. Your commitment and perseverence is commendable.People like you are an inspiration. Well done!
Mel … tears are rolling down my face & I’m so happy for you … as a friend who has seen you first hand go through all these challenges you have faced & been there to support & encourage when I could. I am so very very very proud of you. Yes did I tell you how proud I am.
Craig there doesn’t seem to be enough words to describe what you have done in helping Mel on her journey & being there as her mentor with the best tough love going round. You are an amazing man with an attitude that most of us aspire to have. Thank you. My gratitude, for you being there or be it in her inbox everyday, has no end.
What I finally see in Mel is the dawning of the realisation of what a truly tremendous change she has made in herself … She wouldn’t or couldn’t believe me when I would tell her what she has done as I’m a friend & I’m supposed to say all the words a friend should who is a friend & cares, but she still didn’t believe me entirely. As even when she had reached goal & maintained it for the first month or two, I could see that she still felt like the woman she was & not the woman she now is. The different setbacks stole her thunder no doubt.
To everyone who has posted a kind word I thank you, for the crystallisation of the realisation in Mel.
You are an incredible woman Mel … Such an inspiration!!!!!!
Thank you Mel. You have inspired me to lose the excuses. Only then will I actually lose the weight. *hugs*
Congratulations great story… now the next challenge commences which is to create a healthy life so it is sustainable.
Well done.
Kirk
Hi Kirk,
Thanks for your comment.
I have well and truly taken that challenge in hand and have been sustaining my weight loss for the last 1.5 years.
I have created a healthy life and continue to practice it everyday.
Thanks,
Mel
Thanks for sharing someone’s story. Looks like Mel is on the right path. Sometimes I wonder when life ever becomes easy.
Suicide Prevention in Your Life
good on you Mel!! You are an inspiration to us all :_)
You are my inspiration. I have been very slowly changing my habits (drinking a lt. of water a day, at least; stop drinking soda; now eating 5 portions of fruits and vegetables daily) and I’m getting in touch with my feelings.. allowing myself to feel (vs. numb myself) and experience sadness, frustration, fear.. Thanks, Mel! Now I think I can reach my goal even faster, you are an inspiring example.
Just awesome. Oh my God, i am so amazed. Congrats for you Mel. Great congrats for Craig.
That is amazing!!!! She should win an award or something – Bravo to her!
Fantastic tale, Mel. Absolutely love your determination and willingness to share your story. Good for you and well done. You deserve to be congratulated and I hope you are loving life.
On ya!!!
Love your story Mel. I lost weight 5 years ago after twenty plus years of yo-yo dieting and I have kept it off. But I want to ask you (if it’s not too personal, please don’t) how did you deal with your husband’s affair? I am struggling to make other changes in my own life and wondering how you’ve gone with it. Only recently discovered Craig’s site.
Best wishes
Margie
Sorry that post should read “(if it’s too personal please dont feel compelled to answer)”
Thank you Mel for allowing your story and photos to be shared with us. I am half way through my weight loss journey and reading your story and seeing your photos has helped to inspire me even more and given me a good reminder that each step I take is a step towards a new, fit and healthy me. Thank you!
That is amazing…….definitely an inspiration for all of us who keep finding those pathetic excuses ( me included ;/) Thankyou so much for sharing.
Marg
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