Dear PEOPLE Editors...

Good Morning, Editors -

I know you guys receive dozens of photos and e-mails from around the globe; however, I hope you will take my meager e-mail into consideration in nominating a friend of mine for "Half Their Size" recognition.  Meet Valerie West Fambrough from Dahlonega, Georgia.  "Inspiration" doesn't begin to define her.  What started in 2009 as a group of online acquaintances getting together to support each other in their weight loss goals has turned into Valerie completing her first marathon in January 2011. 

Over one hundred pounds lighter, Valerie makes the most out of her day, and, as the saying goes, "neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow" stops her from running on a daily basis.  Valerie will be the first to tell you she didn't start out as a marathoner.  She started out at 347 lbs on June 2009.  "Marathons" were far from her mind, and even then she doubted that she could ever finish one.

As the photos show, she reached her goal of finishing a marathon after a long road of 5Ks and speed bumps in the way.

Because Valerie is such an inspiration to several folks in her community (and around the United States as is seen with her group of friends that founded "F.I.T." (Finding Inspiration Together) please consider her for your next "Half Their Size."

Thank you for your time.

 "Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow..."

 

Before and After, again

Here's me in January of this year at my Pop's memorial service held at Engine Company 3 in Warwick, NY (my dad's old department):

I pretty much look like a round, green Christmas ornament, don't I? Yeah and with three chins or more.

Here is me in May right before my cousin's wedding...note the lack of multiple chins...

And here is me at the beginning of June after drinking a glass of V8 juice a day, cutting down on junk foods, etc. (see below - I still partake), and biking every Sunday:

And yet, I still have lost more weight and can, successfully bike at least 18 miles before my knees are on fire.

Some things I've done:

1) Realized I was not only not happy, but I wasn't healthy. By being not healthy, I wasn't happy.

2) I couldn't do half of the things I wanted.

3) I cut back on horrible food choices, fast food, and "cokes."

4) I started drinking a glass of V8 juice a day.

5) Snacks turned to pretzels instead of potato chips.

6) I started biking every Sunday (starting in May I guess it was)

7) Just because the food tastes good doesn't mean you have to be a glutton.

8) Food does not equal comfort.

9) Don't necessary set "number" goals, set other goals. Ex: "I will feel better" or "I will bike x miles."

10) You can't be healthy-happy if you're not mentally-happy. Lose weight, be happy, be a mentor.

The "wow" pictures.

Remember this past weekend I said I found a photo of me from my grandfather's memorial service in January, and I was disgusted.

See post WOW here.

Here we go:

BEFORE:


AFTER:


** Some notes:
1) The green blouse in the first photo fit snugly.
2) I started drinking a glass of V8 juice a day and some very minor working out (walking around the neighborhood, etc.)
3) I stopped drinking almost all regular soft drinks (except root beer) and have cut out sweet tea (made with sugar - I still drink Splenda - tastes the same)

I'm going to buy my coworker's wife's really nice bike as well and start biking the Silver Comet every Saturday morning.

We all have goals.