This picture was taken at my 20th birthday luncheon. Not much in my weight had changed since late December before I decided in late July to try again. I find it hard to believe, but I know from record keeping that I nearly tipped the scale @ 280! Just because I was surrounded by people who like me for me, that doesn't help me feel any less that I looked like Chris Farley in a wig.
In the beginning, I wore a woman's plus-sized 2XL shirt and 24W pants. Now I wear a Misses XL and my pants range from 16-18 depending on the cut. Most of the time, its a 16. Not only did I achieve my basic weight loss goals but also fulfilled other personal desires. I just completed interning at Naples Illustrated magazine. When I saw the internship advertised a year ago, it inspired me to begin a serious weight loss program.