Okay, here it is. I've finally gotten over the shame and gotten up the nerve up to post the collage of my weight loss publicly. This is a series of photos taken via webcam from January of 2006, when I first decided enough was enough and I was going to change my life. I've since lost about 54.5 kgs or 120 lbs.

A lot of people ask, "How did you do it?" and I tell them, "You won't like the answer." The truth is, there is no magic pill or amazing diet. If you want the results, you have to work for them. I did this completely by myself. I did not use any pills, I went on no diets, I joined no gyms, I hired no nutritionists, I had no surgery. It was simple: I ate right, and I exercised.

Personally, if I'd gotten surgery to lose this weight, I do not think I would feel very good about it. Not only would have have damaged my body and be restricted to very special diet needs to absorb the proper nutrition, but every time someone complimented me on losing weight, I would not feel proud or happy. Instead, I'd feel guilty and ashamed and it would be a constant reminder that I lacked the simple will power to do it on my own. My body is the one thing on this planet I am in control of, so I intend to be in control of it.

Growing up, I'd been obese my entire life. Food was constantly around as a kid, and not even until I was around 8 or 9 did I understand why I was so overweight. And since that time, I'd tried several times to lose the weight, but I would end up slipping, or getting impatient. It took many years to finally force myself to buckle down. I found that after I went about three months saying no to all my unhealthy cravings, I did not have any more trouble saying no.

I did not start this quest to "get thin", although weight loss was one of the top goals. I started this quest to get healthy. I knew that if I focused on being healthy instead of being thin or beautiful, that weight loss and beauty would follow naturally. I am all the better and stronger for it.

Now that I am closer to my ideal weight, I have not been losing pounds as quickly, so I have not taken any progress pictures in a while. I am slightly smaller now than I am pictured in the last photo, but not enough to bother taking a photo of. I have only a few more pounds to go before I am there. I've never been at an ideal weight before, so I am approaching exciting, new territory.

Finally, I want to thank all my friends and family who supported and support me. Your being there for me the whole while has made such a difference, and thank you all so much. It's easy to let yourself down, but it's very difficult to let the people who support you and are cheering you on down. I especially want to thank for being so supportive. She's a great friend and an awesome person with a gallery to match, so check her out.

Thank you and good luck to you all!