oh man dgzfgdgd I am super hesitant about uploading thiss and I understand it's totally uncalled for where this is a furry art site, but I've always been very open with you guys about myself and this is something i have been working on for like 4 years so I want to share incase any of you are struggling and want to change (either physically or mentally). I'm posting it here mostly because just posting it on my tumblr will only reach people who are interested in health and fitness, but for me the transformation goes way beyond the physical one.

in the top image I absolutely hated myself and I had a very obsessive relationship with food. I couldn't bear the thought of food being wasted so I would gorge myself just to finish my plate (or someone elses). At university I would go to the meal hall by myself and get a bunch of food and just eat in the corner after meals when my friends had gone back to their rooms. After I saw a really terrible photo of myself I realized how much weight I had gained in just one semester of university (around 20lbs). In an attempt to lose weight, I became very restrictive which only made my relationship with food more obsessive. I was very unhappy and for a couple years I never saw much progress because of a constant cycle of restricting and binging.

Up until last year I was ALWAYS stuck at 145lbs even though I thought I was doing so well. But I was very hard and negative on myself which resulted in a lot of stress and unhappiness. I took a huge turn last year and I broke free from a life that was making me unhappy. I had no home, no belongings, and no friends. I broke free from absolutely everything. After I did that I felt so much better about myself. I finally felt strong and like I could take charge of my life and I didn't need to settle. Without even trying, I realized I had dropped 5lbs in a short period of time. I started really focusing on improving my mind more than just my body. I focused on becoming a more positive, forgiving person and when I began to pair this with healthy eating and exercise(which created a cycle of self-esteem), my body really started showing progress. I'm so happy and grateful for this life and I'm proud of the person I've become, and I 100% owe that positive energy for the changes in my body. My life has just fallen into place and if I didn't have the strength to choose to put myself first, I know I'd still be that same miserable place hoping things would just eventually change by themselves.

To some of you, the top one might not be that bad. And to some of you the bottom one might not be good enough. But it's about each individuals journey and I can tell you the mental difference between each photograph is much greater than the physical. I know some of you may be in terrible situations in which you feel you have no control, but how you react to hardship and how you choose to grow will ultimately determine your happiness. you are not a slave to life's whims.

//sorry to go all deep and spiritual on your ass but if this helps absolutely anyone then I'll be happy ;w;

if you guys are interested in following my journey, feel free to follow my tumblr: http://motivatekait.tumblr.com/

EDIT: Oh my goodness I really wasn't expecting so many lovely messages, thank you guys so much for your support and best wishes to everyone looking to make changes of their own!