Such an AMAZING Story Rach...I'm getting all emotional Thanks for sharing. I know that must have been difficult.

I hope you now how proud I am of you babydoll! You've come so far and have made so many steps forward in only a year...in more ways than weight alone. The forum just wouldn't be the same vivrant place without you around. I hope you know that you have given back as much as you have gleaned!

--Cindy

You guys have no idea how happy all your comments have made me.. i was so hesitant to post this story.. as i was afraid that my drug related past would change your opinions of me.. thank you so much for accepting me

You're the best!!!!!

Wow Rachelle~ I thank you for sharing your story. You are a true inspiration! Your such a beautiful person inside and out. Your talents are many and you care, and for that I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Keep up the great work Rachelle! I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo very proud of you!

wow, you are truely awesome. It took great strength to change your life.
Thanks for sharing your story.

hugs..cin

Wow Ra....

What an amazing journey that you've had. It takes even more courage to share it out here with the world. It's great to see how you've made this change in your life and what a successful committment you've made.

You certainly deserve a round of applause!

You keep up with that positive outlook and the world is yours!

Kiks

Rachelle,
I am very proud of you for posting your story. Thank you for opening up and sharing with us. You have come so far and have so much to be proud of. No matter where life takes you, whatever path you choose, don't ever settle, Rachelle. Choose the best...you deserve it!

You are inspiration to so many on this board, including me. Thanks for being a friend to me and so many here. Keep smiling girl!

Linda

OMG, RAH!! How come i'm only now reading your story?? I swear, tears are welling up in my eyes 1. bc i know you and you are a true friend to me and 2. noone would ever guess that YOU went thru struggles like that. You are always so perky and so kind and so fabulous and loving and...need i say more? Girl, I am so proud of you for coming so far. I wish you could tell me how you got over your drug problem so I could share the knowledge with my sister and brother and help them also to get on the path of healing. Success stories here are usually only about weightloss but your story is the best i've read so far bc it's about saving a life.

Love ya
Tasha

(((((walks away with fresh tears and a smile of pride written all over her face))))))))

Tasha...... thank you so much for reading my story.. and for telling me that it might help someone close to you...

to answer your question:

I really can't say "HOW" i got thru it.. i guess i just came to the realization.. that i cared if i woke up.. i was sick of making prayers to God at 9a.m.. while i lay there trying to fall asleep and stop shaking .. saying.. it would be the last time.. and please if he let me fall asleep and live.. i'd never do it again...
Enough of those prayers and i think you start to tempt fate. I knew after 2 yrs of them... that eventually it wouldn't work.

Also i had a very worried family.. i stopped caring about my job.. i would take off and not call.. and actually moved to FL to "escape" life for awhile...

I would say that the one true reason was that i had people who cared about me and still believed in me. I had God in my life.. and i had family... Those things still count.

No one can change someone by telling them to change.. as we all know from weight loss stand points.. it has to be internal.. and it has to be because they think that they are worth it.
All you can do is support them and love them.. regardless their choices.. tough love is acceptable.. sometimes it's the only eye opener

I hope that helped...
Muahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Thanks sweetie!! Knowledge is Power!!

Girl, you have been thru so much and you have come out being a beautiful person inside and out!!!! You are such an inspiration to soooo many people here!!! You are AWESOME Chelle!!!!!

Hugs~

You've done awesome!!!!!

rachelle hon,

don't know why i've never read your success story but clicked through to it now. after what you wrote in my journal today, and reading this... wow, you are one strong, fantastic woman.

please don't think we would judge you by where you have been. many people get to very low places in their life, and many choose drugs; all it shows is the tremendous strength you had to break out of that life.

i personally may have never had a joint or even a cigarette in my life (*such* a good girl ) but i have three first cousins who were heavy into drugs, including coke, and one of them ended up a heroin addict. i can't tell you what a miracle it is but all three of them cleaned themselves up 100% and are now living happy, drug free lives. it's incredible.

i echo what everyone else said; you looked lovely in your before pics, but you look simply stunning in the after pics. fabulous curves hon, but it's also that wonderful smile that is visible at all times.

you da best!

xx

deb