Life sucks when you’ve given up. But I thought I’d be addicted to sugar and fast food for the rest of my life, and I’d resolved myself to being obese. I thought I just didn’t have the energy to eat healthier foods or exercise regularly. So I decided that I’d wrap my body, 80 pounds overweight, in clothes that made me feel good and that I’d learn to love myself just as I was.

But then something amazing happened. I threw my name in the hat for a chance to be one of 50 bloggers who’d get to use the Shaklee 180 program for 6 months. And I was selected. And 6 months later, everything is different. See for yourself:

Please forgive the fact that these after pics are so pixellated. Unfortunately, today is a dark, gloomy day, so the room was a lot darker than usual. But there’s another special photo I can’t wait to share:

You read that right. I’ve lost a total of 44 pounds on the Shaklee 180 program in a little less than 6 months! If you want to know how I did it, feel free to scroll through all my Cinchspiration posts to see the transformation. My goal for the 6-month period was 40 pounds, and I still have more than a week left before it’s officially over, so I’m pretty darn proud of myself! Here are my current measurements:

My inch loss is the same as last time, but I’m completely cool with that. I still feel like a million bucks, and then some! Not just because of the weight loss either. I feel like a completely different person on the outside, but more importantly, on the inside, too.

Six months ago, I was defeated. Today, I’m shopping for clothes in smaller sizes than I currently wear because I KNOW I’ll get there as long as I keep pushing. Six months ago, I skipped breakfast nearly every day, and when I did eat, I typically ate crap loaded with sugar, simple carbs, fat and failure. Today, I’ll pass on cookies to have an apple instead, drink water instead of calorie-loaded juice, and I couldn’t eat a huge plate of food if I tried.

I’ve learned to control my portions and make better choices, even when I’m busy and have to grab food on the run. The Shaklee 180 smoothees and meal bars are convenient, but the thing about the plan that helped me more than anything else was having to choose my own, healthy, dinner. After doing that for the first few months and waiting for my body to get used to the reduced calorie intake, I learned which foods to choose, so that even on days when I’m away from home and not able to grab a Cinch meal, I can still choose healthier options.

I’ve learned that I can make dishes at home that not only taste better than the restaurant version, but that are lower in calories, sugar and fat, too. I’ve learned that I don’t have to starve or deprive myself to lose weight, and I’ve finally. Finally! Learned the meaning of the word “moderation.”

I’ve broken habits that I’ve complained about on this blog since I started it in 2009. And I have Shaklee, team leader Sommer Poquette and the 49 other ladies who began this journey, and the 30+ who have completed it. I especially want to thank women like Maribel, Brooke, Maggie, Mandee and a couple of others who were particularly supportive and always trying to motivate all of us to do our best. They’ve all taught me how to push people to their limits without making them hate you, and I’ve been able to do the same for friends — online and in real life — who have seen my transformation and asked what I’m doing and how they can do it too.

I’m sincerely emotional, because in addition to the new friendships, this program has helped me fully rediscover some things that I thought had been lost to me forever: Self-love and confidence.

So though I still have nearly 40 pounds more to lose before I reach my goal weight and a healthier BMI, I still feel like a winner. I went from a woman who almost never allowed anyone to take full body photos (the one shown above is one of only a handful) to one who proudly, excitedly posts outfit of the day photos each week. In a few short months, I have transformed from a woman who was faking confidence to one who actually is confident.

I’d say I’ve done pretty well, and I’m more proud of myself about this than I’ve been about anything in a long, long time. Shaklee 180, thank you. My 30th birthday is in four days (gasp!), and my health is the best birthday present I could ever receive. This program gets my unequivocal stamp of approval.

Disclosure: I was chosen by Shaklee to be a #Cinchspiration blogger. As a result, I have received a 6-month supply of Shaklee 180 products along with online support and incentives as I document my journey. As usual, all opinions are authentic and mine. Results and experiences are unique for each person, so results may vary. People following the weight loss portion of Shaklee 180 can expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week.