Editor's Note: At LIVESTRONG.COM we are constantly inspired by the power of our users healthy achievements. Over the last month we've collected success stories from hundreds of LIVESTRONG.COM users. This week, we're honored to share Sara's story.
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My Story:
I don't really know how to begin this as I am sure I probably haven't processed all of what I have been through but to date I have lost 170 pounds. I now work for my mother in-law where I run her nutritional program and am a certified Lifestyle Educator and group fitness instructor. I also am in the process of becoming certified as a personal trainer and I quit smoking a little over a year and a half ago. I also ran my first half marathon this last september and have since decided to begin marathon training late this winter. 
My Turning Point:
What changed for me was that I was miserable and felt like I was constantly looking at other peoples lives longing for what they had. When I started this I was 20 years old with the intention of just getting under 300lbs and to not be on the verge of diabetes (at my heaviest I was 320). I remember very distinctly that I was sitting on the floor in front of a mirror putting on makeup and my legs began tingling so quickly and I couldn't feel my feet and I realized that before I gained weight they never used to do that. I came home for the holidays and saw a very old and dear friend that told me that I needed to get it together and that I essentially looked terrible... this friend was the one who finished my half marathon with me almost 5 years later! 
My Support System:
My biggest support system has been my family and friends and my now husband. It is amazing what you can do when you have all the right people around you at once encouraging you and making you feel like there isn't anything you can't do. My husband and I were best friends before we dated and he would tell me constantly how impressed by me he was and how I could do anything... eventually you reach a point where when people start to continually tell you that - you begin to believe them. I wish I would have found LIVESTRONG.COM sooner because I LOVE this site!! I found you all when I was about 170, at a plateau and FRUSTRATED and your articles are so encouraging, recipes delicious, and MyPlate is wonderful. I try to use it everyday! I was able to lose 20 more pounds from being diligent on here and running my buns off!
My Biggest Challenge:
The hardest part was getting stuck/having plateaus and probably mental blocks. I would get to a goal like under 300 and get stuck. Looking back on it now I think it was because I convinced myself that I was just supposed to be big and that other people could love their bodies but not me. I then moved to 250 for at least a year and then 170 and found these points to be the moments where I had to dig deep and force myself to believe that I deserved this change and that this has to be my biggest priority or I will die.
My Secret to Success:
Go to the gym, or get outside, or whatever just move... for at least 10 minutes. Once you are actually there and doing it the endorphins will keep you there! I also hated working out at first because it hurt but once I got past the initial I saw how long it took me to burn 500 calories and there was no way I was going to blow those precious calories on food that wasn't good for me. I would say using MyPlate and getting real with yourself/holding yourself accountable are essential to a new lifestyle!
My Words of Wisdom:
Some of the best advice I got along my journey was: you didn't gain the weight overnight and anthing you do to try to lose it overnight won't work or last.
LIVESTRONG.COM has helped me with amazing recipes and MyPlate. MyPlate has such a broad database and the online accessibility is great for busy people! I was able to track calories throughout the day as I go... I would add them when I would check emails... it has been great!
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