| Awesome Valerie! I am here to tell you that you can do it!!! I went from 316 lbs, to 220 and am an ultra runner now running trail races of 31 - 100 miles in length. I also enjoy many other activities but am a trail runner first at heart. None of it comes easy, but it is always worth it.
One of the best messages you can keep in mind, and give to others is that for sometime while you "shape up" you will be like a celebrity, getting all kinds of attention, but after you have been in shape a while, people stop commenting, because they get used to the "new" you. Expect that and you won't fall back to the old habits....
Find things that you can do for life and you will succeed....whether it is running, spinning, swimming, whatever! I have a blog with my story if you are ever interested...and a book now too.... | 
