Finally, my very own success story.

TabethaMarie87

It was September 2007, I was 20-years-old, in the midst of a failing 3-year relationship, and looked to food and booze for comfort. I didn't realize how much I had let myself go. I thought I'd gained maybe 20 lbs since I'd last bothered to weigh myself. The day I stepped on the scale and saw that I weighed 196 lbs. (on a 5'3" frame) I was in shock. I cried my eyes out. I hated myself. I decided that day I wanted to make a change for the better (leaving that relationship was one of those changes, but that's a different story).

I failed several times. I'd lose some weight, gain some weight, lose motivation then get it back again. My weight fluctuated between 165 - 185 for about 5 years, depending on how motivated I was at the time.
In mid 2012, a year and a half into a new (and stable!) relationship, I started getting serious about losing weight again and managed to get down to 140 lbs. I was pretty proud but wasn't happy yet. I still had work to do.

Shortly after reaching 140 lbs. I found out I was pregnant, so I would have to put my weight-loss on hold. I got lucky, during my pregnancy I only gained 25 lbs. which brought me back up to 165 lbs again. I would have to start all over. Again. On September 30, 2013 I had my beautiful daughter, Lilith Abigail, and my weight got put on the back burner for awhile. It was winter time and I was distracted by my precious baby anyway.

In April 2014, I decided I wanted to try again. I'd lost weight before, I could do it again. This time I did it right and for the right reasons. I wanted to be healthy for myself but also wanted to be a healthy influence for my child. Getting into better shape for my boyfriend was an added bonus, though he said he thought I looked beautiful before too (<3). I didn't see it though. I started walking and eventually jogging, watched what and how much I ate, stopped drinking soda and started drinking more water. All baby steps towards a healthier lifestyle. I had finally realized there was no quick fix. I just had to really want it to be successful.

As of April this year, 2015, I'm down to my lowest weight of 120 lbs. I lost 45 lbs. in a year with just a little hard work and dedication, and have lost 76 lbs in total. I'm glad I stuck with it. I still have some more work to do, but it'll focus more on resistance/weight training to build and tone some muscle, so it'll be a whole new adventure. My confidence level has improved so much, and so has my energy level. Best of all, now I can also be the healthy, happy role model for my daughter and have the energy/stamina to keep up with her!



I don't have a picture at my highest weight of 196 lbs, but this picture was taken in September 2009 and I was around 185 lbs.



This picture was taken in November 2011, I weighed around 185 lbs as well.







The last 3 pictures were taken within the last couple weeks, at my current weight of 120 lbs.

adriennel502

You look AMAZING. Congratulations!

pineapple_peach10

Wtg girl!!!!!

TabethaMarie87

Thank you ladies!

JenniferInCt

Fantastic job! You look great!

nvmy2pits

Great job! You're beautiful!

samgamgee

Well done, you look amazing! Great corset, I have one similar which I can't wait to get back into. I'm also 5 ft 3 with a goal weight of 120 (well, 8 and a half stone which is 119 but basically the same) - 34 lbs to go. You are inspiring

_m0lly

This is so lovely. Well done

debneeds2beskinny

great job - you are gorgeous!

Altagracia220

wow, this is awesome!

jenncornelsen

u look great! love your style as well!

cswhite17

You look amazing! Great job!

lillyrose2020

What an amazing transformation, you look like a different person! Well done on all your hard work

TabethaMarie87

Thank you all for the nice compliments! That's awesome if I can be inspiring to anyone! I do kind of feel like a different person in a way.

Debmal77

Really great Tabetha. You look amazing. You must get a lot of comments from people about the change. Must feel great! Congrats girl!!

eisterunicorn

Wowww what an inspiring transformation!!! You go girl!!

erojoy

You look great and are gorgeous!

melizaac

I'm sorry if this is too personal but I'm wondering if you've had any issues with loose skin? I need to lose about the same amount that you have. Thanks!

P.S MEOW! You look fabulous!

kjurassic

You did it! You rock!!!!

heatherc369

Wow! You look great girl! Congrats! Your story sounds a little like mine with the ups and downs and distractions along the way.....I am really hoping I can stay dedicated this time around and someday have a success story liek yours! Great job!

TabethaMarie87

Thank you all for the compliments; I'm glad I can help inspire/motivate any of you on your journey. Looks like I'll be back on the weight-loss wagon come next year, I just recently found out I'm pregnant again and due in December. Hopefully I'll be lucky again this time around and only gain the recommended 25 lbs! Melizaac, regarding loose skin, I have just a tiny bit but honestly nothing a little resistance/weight-training can't fix. As long as you're getting there gradually and not losing too much too fast, and drinking lots of water, you shouldn't have to worry about much loose skin.

alltheweigh170

Congratulations on your pregnancy! What an accomplishment! Great job!

jules6669mfp

Look at you!!! You look wonderful and soooo happy. Congratulations on your success and for wanting to be a role model for your daughter. One of the greatest gifts you can give your daughter is a healthy and happy mommy

TabethaMarie87

Thank you! I'm definitely a lot happier and more comfortable in my own skin now. I really appreciate all the great compliments from everyone, it makes my day! I'll have to make an update after baby comes, I can't wait to get back into working out full force come next year.

tmove2015

Congrats!!! Way to stay focused! Being happy on the inside is so important~good for you! Thanks for sharing!

TabethaMarie87

Thank you again for the great compliments everyone, reading these comments helps bring that motivation back! I had my beautiful son, Gabriel Judas, two weeks ago and absolutely can't wait to get the okay from my doctor to get back into an exercise routine. I'm happy to say I only gained 26 lbs with this pregnancy and as of today have 11 lbs to lose to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight of 120 lbs. I plan to focus more so on resistance/weight training to tone/build muscle this time around. I'll update with new pictures soon.

Syneea

Congrats on the baby and for doing such a PHENOMENAL JOB with managing your weight during pregnancy!!! I love when folks remember to report back. :-)

TabethaMarie87

Thank you!

omgitztmarie

Congrats!! Such an accomplishment!!

brynnsmom

Wow! You look great, and great story too! Bet you have no trouble keeping up with that little girl.

TabethaMarie87

Thank you! She's such an active little girl, so she definitely helped keep me on my toes and moving around which also helped with weight loss. The last month of my pregnancy I absolutely couldn't keep up with her but a lot of my energy has already returned just two weeks after so it's getting easier. She's also happy about it; she was starting to get bored with mommy since I couldn't play as much.