F/36/4’11″ [151lbs > 122lbs = 29lbs] (5 Months) Same outfit worn one year apart!

While this picture was taken exactly a year ago, all of my weight has been lost in the last five months. In March, I decided to get sober after almost two decades of heavy drinking, get my mental health in order, and make sure I walk an hour a day, rain or shine. Losing weight was not the intention in getting clean, but it has been an incredible side effect, especially as I’ve been obese (highest was 195lbs at 16) to overweight all of my life. The last time I was 122lbs was probably when I was 10. I have been eating at a slight calorie deficit, but that’s simply mostly a corollary effect of getting treatment—I was simply drinking that many calories and eating like shit because I was drunk.

A year ago, I was coming off of a huge loss and at my mental low point. It has been a tremendous amount of work and therapy and playing with my psych meds to find what has worked best, to be honest. But while some days have been much harder than others, this is sincerely the happiest I’ve been in a long, long time, and it’s nice to see that reflected in my physical appearance. I didn’t think much has changed until I took the second picture today, and I’m so grateful for everything that has happened this year. As with sobriety, I’m learning to be patient, take things one day at a time (I’ve always struggled with needing instant gratification), and to just enjoy the ride.