i've been doing this thing since late september/early october 2006. My 'lightbulb moment' if i can call it that was a shopping trip in mid september 06 to melbourne. there were so many gorgeous things, most of which they didn't have my size or i couldn't fit. one thing iw anted most was a guess tank top - but they were all quite small sizes and didn't go up to my size - the L even looked really small. so i was determined to lose my excess weight so i wouldn't have that problem. the pics also were horrible, i haven't shown them to anyone. it was a long time coming really - i piled on a lot of the weight when i was in yr 12 (2005) and a bit before that in yr 11. with the stress of TEE and not knowing what i wanted to do with my life. lots of assignments + stress = MAJOR overeating.
i was a bit of a chubby kid, but in yr 9 or so grew out of it a little, only to put it back on a few years later. food was always a reward, and i never knew how to deal with stress apart from eating. it's still hard sometimes but i just have to tell myself that that chocolate or icecream isn't going to fix anything and it isn't going to make me feel better about myself. so i started really getting into this thing. i've lost 2 jeans sizes already, and gone from a XL top to an M. I'd still love to go down one more size, but i'll see how it all goes
the main change i made was with my eating - less junk food, watchin what i eat, and really not eating so much crap just because its there or cos im at uni and there's nothing else. i also used to drink lots of coke and eat things that were quick and easy.
Since coming back from greece last july, i've been put off take away. i spent a month there and learnt how amazing food can be - why have maccas or hj's or something gross and full of fat when in 15 minutes i can quickly make something that is so much better for me and tastes so much better too. so i don't really see the need for take away. although i must say i do love some chips or chinese as a treat
hoping to start up with the exercise again soon - i've got a gym membership - just got to start using it again
also, i'm kind of calorie counting using calorie king but on and off - sometimes i find it works better without counting or just eating a little more. i'm hoping to lose the rest and tone up a bit - even if i don't lose it all and get some more muscle and definition - just want this flab gone! i want to do it by my next melbourne shopping trip - most likely in june or july on my uni break. i want to be able to go and buy whatever i want and not have to worry about whether it's too tight or if i look fat or whatever.
i'm feeling much more confident since i've lost most of my weight - i feel so much better and i think i look much better too - i love getting comments to know that i do look different and that i'm doing something for ME instead of for everyone else. i also now have a very lovely boy - we've been together almost 11 months now and he makes me feel like the most beautiful girl every single day
he keeps telling me how i don't have to lose anymore and i'm perfect the way i am - but he will support me if i want to lose more. he's such a sweetie 
sorry this is so long, just wanted to get it all out there
haha
it's taken so much hard work and i've given up like a hundred times haha, but i'm still going at it lol. about the dresses, hehe thanks, my mum helps me pick them sometimes too 
lots of water!
& my dad isn't very tall either so I didn't have a chance!