One year down, 98 pounds lost!!!

faithan84 · December 2015

Okay everyone... Sorry not sorry for the upcoming long post. My turn to brag on myself a bit.

Today marks the one year anniversary of my health journey. Who better to celebrate with than you all?

This time last year I weighed around 250 pounds. Today I weigh 152!!!!!! It took only 2 months for the first 50 to come off, and it's been a longer 10 months with some ups and downs for the other 48. I still have 7 pounds to go to be in the "healthy" bmi range, and about 22 to go to reach my ultimate goal weight. I am totally a different person now. I can no longer use "I'm too fat and lazy" as a valid excuse. I can call myself a "runner" now (albeit reluctantly). I've gone from not being able to run for more than 10 seconds or so to being able to run 40 minutes at a time! I went from a women's size 18-20 jeans to.... get this.... I just bought a pair of size 6!!! skinny jeans! I went from eating fast food 3-4 times EVERY day to eating "sticks and leaves" (according to my great aunt) now and really enjoy the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. I now see time off as opportunity to exercise more, and walking doesn't feel like exercise anymore. I've stuck to my food plan so long that those around me know and understand what I'm doing, support me, and have even started making changes in their diets. I have loose skin around my torso (as most other places)... but I still do jumping jacks in the middle of the gym without embarrassment. I feel like I've earned my place at the gym, and no longer stare at the floor to avoid eye contact with those around me. Shopping for clothes is now FUN! ("Maybe a little too much fun," says my wallet.) I sleep better, I'm generally more comfortable doing anything (sitting, standing, walking, bending, etc), I have more energy, a more positive outlook on life, more confidence, more positive self talk, and stronger determination. This is seriously the longest project I've worked on successfully and consistently since school... and it's something I feel like I can continue the rest of my life. And now pictures.

So it's totally not fair to have a seated bathing suit picture as a "before" compared with a standing and clothed "after", but this picture in particular means something to me. One of the breakthroughs that needed to happen in order to start my journey was being able to accept and love myself as I am (was) today (then). When I looked at this picture last Fall, the first thing I saw wasn't my big arms, big tummy, double chins, or laughable use of a shaping undergarment under my suit. The first thing I saw was my smile. I was truly happy the day that picture was taken, and for the first time, that was the most important thing about the picture. My happiness was beautiful to me, and I can still smile at that picture. I was happy then, and I'm happy now. Now I just have different healthy habits and a body that allows me to keep up with them.

Thank you for reading and letting me brag a bit. I'm super proud/shocked/amazed at my success so far, and I wanted to share!

ydyms · December 2015

Wow awesome!!!

mellowadam · December 2015

Congrats. You look a lot younger! Great job.

caterinahart · December 2015

Wow!

treebek · December 2015

So awesome! You should be very proud!

pearso21123 · December 2015

50 lbs in two months, WOW, that must have been so encouraging!! You look like you feel terrific! I started out wanting to lose weight more for vanity reasons, but as I've gotten healthier it's become much more about getting fit and being/staying healthy. Keep up the great work!

RaeBeeBaby · December 2015

You look fabulous and adorable! You look happy in all the pictures, but now you look happy AND healthy!

PeachesNcreamgal · December 2015

What a positive, happy post!! I am inspired! Well done you!

IILikeToMoveItMoveIt · December 2015

You look so happy. You've done a great job! You've got a great smile and wonderful attitude.

gracesness · December 2015

You look good, im happy for you.

Doublemeasure · December 2015

Nice weight loss! WTG!

klove808 · December 2015

Wonderful! Congratulations

Moxiemama5678 · December 2015

So amazing! Congratulations!

Susieq_1994 · December 2015

You look amazing, and SO MUCH younger! If I didn't know you were you, I'd assume that the before pictures were a woman who was the mother of the young lady in the after pictures! Well done!

faithan84 · December 2015

Thank you all!

It's funny to hear that I look younger. I'm 31, and I've been told for years and years that I look younger than I am. With the weight loss, I look in the mirror and think that I'm finally starting to look my age, especially around my eyes and neck. From your comments it seems I'm only growing younger!