but for the sky, there are no fences facing

In the summer of 2007, I did some travelling. It was the summer after I finished my undergrad, and before I started graduate school. My mom and I took a bus from Toronto to Banff to visit my sister, who was working out there (yes, we were on a greyhound for two-and-a-half days. Both ways. I ate a lot of bus station food).

Soon after, I went to Halifax for 4 weeks, to attend a math summer school program that took place at Dalhousie University. I lived in residence, and ate (all you can eat) at the cafeteria 3 times a day.

There was a group shot of all of the summer school participants taken (a photo that I can’t find anymore). When I looked at it, I couldn’t find myself in the picture at first. I also saw, out of the corner of my eye, someone in the front row who was much larger than everyone else. That’s odd, I thought. I don’t remember there being anyone that big in the program. Then I realized that person was me.

After Halifax, I spent a couple of weeks at a cottage with my family (back in Ontario). While there, I found The Ultimate Healthy Eating Plan by Liz Pearson and Mairlyn Smith in a discount bookstore. I decided to buy it.

I read the book quickly, and it made sense to me. Instead of being a fad diet, and instead of vilifying food, it told me how food could be good for you. It explained the importance and nutritional benefits of many different types of food, and had tons of healthy recipes. It also had a few sets of weekly meal plans, including one for weight-loss. I determined that as soon as I got back home, I would follow the plan and get healthy.

While growing up, I rarely weighed myself. We didn’t have a scale at my house, so I never knew exactly what my weight was. In August 2007, determined to really lose weight this time, I bought a scale so I could accurately keep track. On August 26, 2007, I weighed 276 pounds.

I have never weighed that much since. On my last weigh-in at Weight Watchers (on January 23, 2010), I weighed 191 pounds.

Here I am in June 2007, on my graduation day (when I got my Bachelors):

And about 2 years later on my next graduation day, when I received a Masters of Science (wearing the same shoes!):

In Halifax in the summer of 2007 (with the delorean!):

And here I am this past Saturday:

I never thought losing this much weight was something I could do. But, over the past couple of years (and a bit more...), I've lost over 80 pounds. And I'm not finished yet. :)