Good question! Let's see ...
When I first joined this site I wasn't very active at all. It came to a point last year where I was constantly getting sick every few months. That was my breaking point. My decision to start logging was in hopes of finding some direction and support. Read a few posts here and there, saw how informative/supportive these posts were, and realized through others stories, I could make differences in my life.
Before I started I was ashamed of the food choices I was making. I can honestly say I knew the foods I was consuming were bad for me but I did it anyway. I'd set very high standards for myself in the past and when I was unable to achieve them I'd use food as my crutch. One time I even signed up for an expensive 1 yr gym membership; cost like $100/yr. That is $100 I'll never see again lol. After a few weeks I simply stopped showing up. I didn't realize it had to be a LIFESTYLE change. It was an endless cycle of being out of breath, depressed, sad and feeling disgusted at my body - hiding under baggy clothes hoping to stay invisible.
Achieving my weight loss goals this year has given me a sense of confidence in my own abilities. My outward appearance is transforming and my inner self is catching up with the attitude like, "I've come this far, I'm going to keep on kicking ass!" Not because I have to, but because I want to. People have asked ME how I did it, and I love sharing with them how they can start doing it too. At first it was embarrassing but I see it as an opportunity to help someone in a position I once was in.
I'm working out regularly, staying more active instead of lying around, trying on clothes (don't have the money to do so but I like trying on new things now that make me feel girly). I've developed a taste for healthy food choices, and am way more disciplined now that I track my calories. I'm also no longer getting sick all the damn time. I'm still me and my personality is still in tact. I just feel like I am allowed to become more of myself. Hopefully that answers your question.
I'd consider a week of non-stop eating 'taking it easy' haha! Still need to blast off some pounds so the cutting will continue... on the road to visible abs! Kinda crazy to think I've been cutting for almost 9 months now but it's all been worth it! I might look into tweaking/changing my program soon. Always good to keep the body guessing. 
