Before and Afters ANYONE????
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My BMI says I need to be 180lbs or less to be in the healthy (not overweight) category. But there is no way I want to shoot for that. I'm 208 in the picture above and my goal weight is 198, which is 10 more pounds. So I would have to loose 28 pounds from now to be in a normal weight according to my BMI. I can't loose 28 more pounds without losing who I am. Does that make sense? I would look like an AIDS patient who smokes crack. Granted, people know the BMI isn't effective when you have more muscle mass, but regardless of that, it's still used as a primary means of categorizing us in the medical industry. Is there even such a thing as a BMI waiver? What's even worse is the normal weight range for me is 140 pounds to 180 pounds. 140 pounds? Are you serious? Do you really think I could loose 68 more pounds? If you dig my body up 10 years after I died and weighed my remains I bet it would still be above 140 pounds. To sum up my BMI rant, I don't buy it anymore than I buy the governments recommendation that we eat a low fat (hence high carbohydrate) diet. It's the carbohydrates that are screwing everyone's health up. And the only people who know that are people like us here in this forum, the open-minded people, the trailblazers, the visionaries.0
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I am starting to believe the new me in the mirror. I am so used to the old one, that he's the one I still see most of the time.
I see this mentioned frequently on various weight loss/progress forums, and I'm starting to feel it myself. For the first 6 months of keto for me I wouldn't allow myself (or anyone else!) to be too happy about what I was doing b/c I've lost 20 or 30 pounds 10 times... at some point later on I finally accepted that I was doing this, but I still feel like the guy that was 360 pounds a few years ago, even though I'm 250 now and my initial goal is 220 (I'm 6'4"). I honestly don't know what it is going to take to change that. I was 300+ for 15 years in a row, 330+ for much of that. That won't be easy to just change internally i guess.0 -
So true about BMI being used in medical classification. I am always recommended to lose weight by my health insurance company and given less than the best rates on life insurance because of BMI! I also think my bones alone would put me in the healthy BMI category, add a little bit of muscle and padding (where it belongs) and I'm maxed out! Because I am close to goal, the scale doesn't move much, so I've been focusing on improving my body fat percentage, which means so much more!0
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My BMI is currently between 26.5 and 27. I actually considered myself in maintenance when I hit 28. Why? Because I was pretty happy with that amount and it was the lowest I'd been in my adult life. I figured I would stop there and let my body settle on a lower weight, if it wanted. It seems like it wants to, because I am still drifting downwards.
I have MFP set to consider my goal 65 kg (24.5 BMI). That would be in the "normal" range. It's a bit lower than I think might be right. I would like to get a body fat test done. Until then, I'll leave 65 kg as a goal and not shoot for it. LOL
As for the man (woman) we see in the mirror being different than the person we have become, I know I am not the only person who experiences that. It is getting better. I am starting to accept who I am now. But, you get so used to being "the fat guy" that you have a hard time letting it go.
I was so self-conscious in the shirt in my new profile picture (and the after photo above) because it was tighter than normal. It showed my body shape. I've spend most of my life hiding the shape of my body. I kept feeling like I was doing something wrong all day.0 -
Is it like that for skinny people who get strong and buff? One day will I look at my bulging pecs, arms and 6 pack and see a wimpy skinny girl?
Is it that you look at yourself and still think you have too much weight left to lose, or that you're sad that you were fat...or you're sad you're not fat anymore?0 -
I wish I knew Monikker. Can't answer that one from experience, but my guess is that if you should see the muscles. I feel that only anorexic people wouldn't see the improvement.Is it like that for skinny people who get strong and buff? One day will I look at my bulging pecs, arms and 6 pack and see a wimpy skinny girl?
For myself, when I've lost weight before, it's just that it's so ingrained in your head that you're shameful that shame is all you continue to feel and see. If confronted with a mirror I drop my eyes so fast I don't *really* see the reflection. I just conjure up the familiar large blob that's 'fatter than it should be', whether that's what is really there or not. Even if you do look honestly and see, the slim view is lost as soon as you turn your back. Like the movie title says 'Fat Head'. In my head I'm fat. It's an extremely long-term habit to know I'm fat so I suppose breaking that thought pattern is as hard as breaking any other habit.Is it that you look at yourself and still think you have too much weight left to lose, or that you're sad that you were fat...or you're sad you're not fat anymore?
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So glad everyone is willing to share their before and afters. I'm looking forward to much success with this woe.0
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YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING! I can't wait until I have my own before and after!
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BetterBalancedMe2015 wrote: »YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING! I can't wait until I have my own before and after!
Looking forward to seeing it! Don't forget the "during" to help with your own motivation.0 -
FromFat2Phat2013 wrote: »I started LC do anyone have any before and afters or tell me where to go and see them. I need some encouragement.
I lost quite a bit of weight last year on the 4 hr Body diet, but gained back over winter. I just found this group, which is a great resource and I love all the great inspirational pics on here! Gives me so much more of a push to keep going. Hope you're all doing well!!
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Ivana_KillerBody wrote: »FromFat2Phat2013 wrote: »I started LC do anyone have any before and afters or tell me where to go and see them. I need some encouragement.
I lost quite a bit of weight last year on the 4 hr Body diet, but gained back over winter. I just found this group, which is a great resource and I love all the great inspirational pics on here! Gives me so much more of a push to keep going. Hope you're all doing well!!
Those are great photos - well done, you look amazing!
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I have the opposite problem of most, which I think is what took me so long to wake up and start trying to lose weight... I've always been the "skinny" one- the skinny sister, skinny friend, etc, and even as I put on 30 lbs over 2 years I really didn't see myself, I still saw my normal weight. It wasn't until none of my clothes fit and the doctor asked if I wanted to see a nutritionist that I woke up!Is it like that for skinny people who get strong and buff? One day will I look at my bulging pecs, arms and 6 pack and see a wimpy skinny girl?
Is it that you look at yourself and still think you have too much weight left to lose, or that you're sad that you were fat...or you're sad you're not fat anymore?
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I haven't had the nerve to take a "before" picture and was MIA for most of the pictures from a trip last year at this time (the one shown with my husband is the only one I could find)- can't wait to lose my cheeks - upper & lower. Maybe then a new photo!
-So inspired by these before and after shots and comments!0 -
I wish I had more before pictures. I used to hide from the camera. This is one that was shot covertly. I was so angry when I saw it.
Edit: I call this one "pregnant?" on my computer. LOL0 -
I have a whole computer folder called "Fat Me" of old pictures that I am re-creating but my family is getting tired of it real quick. I still find it fun.
We have one picture of all of us taken at the same spot three years apart (since my wife also lost weight with surgery) where one of my daughters is wearing the exact same pull-over completely by chance!0 -
I love that you're doing that. It's hilarious and cathartic.0
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I think that's great as well! Sounds fun.0
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@parkdad73 that is awesome! I can't wait to be able to do the same0
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I don't post much, but am pretty proud of my results!!! Since June I'm down 35 pounds, but 30 of that is low carb related. I even managed to take nov and dec off very low carb to maintain and enjoy the holiday. From 220 to 185
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mandolynnn81 wrote: »I don't post much, but am pretty proud of my results!!! Since June I'm down 35 pounds, but 30 of that is low carb related. I even managed to take nov and dec off very low carb to maintain and enjoy the holiday. From 220 to 185
Looking great, well done!
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Is it like that for skinny people who get strong and buff? One day will I look at my bulging pecs, arms and 6 pack and see a wimpy skinny girl?
Is it that you look at yourself and still think you have too much weight left to lose, or that you're sad that you were fat...or you're sad you're not fat anymore?
Two years ago I went to HI for a cousin's wedding (talk about incentive to lose weight!) My husband and I did p90x for three months to prepare. Their app has a way to take pics every 30 days, and in the middle of the program, I never felt like I was having success, and even as the wedding approached, comparing my first and last photos, I didn't see the change.
I did, however, feel more fit and stronger than ever before. That's what led me to restart P90x last week. When I opened the app to take my before photo, I saw the pic from 2 years ago. I didn't even recognize me. I HAD A SIX PACK AND NEVER EVEN SAW IT.
So, in analyzing my body-image issues, I think yes, we all need therapy!! I only saw the squishy skin or poochy gut that just wouldn't go away... (I've since decided my "poochy gut" is due to a muscle tear from bearing 7-lb twins. And it's not that poochy at all, just poochier and more stretched-marked than before.)
I honestly feel like my insistence on shopping at thrift stores drove my dissatisfaction, because the clothes just didn't fit right to flatter my figure. I just now invested some serious funds in a new wardrobe, from an actual retail outlet, gasp. And I feel happy when I get dressed. I focus on changes I like. And I've decided to let my husband tell me all the changes he sees in my progress pictures, because for some reason, I'm blind to it.
So, in summary, you might actually always see the wimpy girl you used to be, but you'll just have to fight that urge. Make sure you take photos regularly!
And as an aside, I'm pretty sure I broke my foot doing day 2 of p90x this time around! Why, God, why??! <whine>
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I'm having the opposite problem. I'm down almost 25 pounds but no one else (other than my significant other) has noticed. I've noticed clothes are looser or things that didn't fit now fit. The other day a friend of mine asked me about what I plan to wear to an event that is happening in June. When I told her and then told her the dress is too small now but it should fit by June, she said, "you've already been dieting since January though. Do you really think that you'll lose weight by then?" It isn't like I told her I needed to lose another 40 pounds by June. Her tone clearly implied that she doesn't think I've lost any weight. I guess the positive side is that no one noticed those last 25 pounds when I was gaining?
That one comment knocked me off track immediately that night. 0 -
One way to look at this is to take any pictures you have and resize them until the distance between your eyes, and if you can between your eyes and your mouth is in the same proportion (like you could put the pictures on top of each other). Then look at them side by side. You can even make one partially transparent... LOL
All that being said, how I feel is my win, not whether someone notices. And in all likelihood, @m_puppy, your friend is probably basing her questions off of her own experiences and failures. She's never had that type of success and has no point of reference. She doesn't want to believe that you can do it if she can't, and therefore, she ignores the facts in front of her face.
Also, while we are hiding in loose clothing, it is harder for others to see, other than our faces. Your SO hopefully sees you OUT of all those loose clothing items and therefore has a better point of reference.0 -
Thank you. You're right. I knew this but I needed it said the way that you said it. She's actually recovering from a tummy tuck. She's always been skinny fat but having kids ruined her stomach. She's never gained weight, she simply doesn't eat. I know that she is an insecure person, I just needed the obvious reminder I guess.0
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I was going to point out about the clothing as well. When I am heavier, I tend to layer scarves and sweaters over my pants and shirts; nobody but my husband and kids see me in form-fitting clothes, so nobody but my husband and kids will notice smaller increments of weight loss.0
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If her own self-view is skewed, of course her view of you might be, too. Glad you're letting reality help you level out on this worry/irritation. (hugs)0
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@iam4life Sometimes when I'm out with hubby and there are people around I will ask him to 'pick one' with as similar a figure as possible to myself. He always picks a slimmer one than I choose as my own body-double. It does help me a little to see what I truly look like. And he's truthful, he would never be complimentary when I've asked him for honesty. He's never been disciplined for honesty
so he has no need to lie. 0 -
GrannyMayOz wrote: »@iam4life Sometimes when I'm out with hubby and there are people around I will ask him to 'pick one' with as similar a figure as possible to myself. He always picks a slimmer one than I choose as my own body-double. It does help me a little to see what I truly look like. And he's truthful, he would never be complimentary when I've asked him for honesty. He's never been disciplined for honesty so he has no need to lie.
That's a great idea! My husband always points out pear-shaped women with large thighs wearing shorts and says, "See, honey, you could wear shorts--look at her--she's shaped just like you, and she looks good." Of course I always think he's just being sweet and come up with a million reasons why *I* would not look as good as the woman he pointed out.... but maybe I should start listening to him.
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