GRAPHIC PHOTOS of a 69 year woman in a swimsuit.

Pammeycakes55

What an awesome story and victory! I admire you so much. I am 59 years young, and have arthritus all over, but my main area is in my right foot. You are such an inspiration for me to loose the weight I need/want and do exercises in a pool. Thank you so much for sharing your story and photos' You are beautiful inside and out. :flowerforyou:

goodtf

You are brave and a huge inspiration to us all

TinaBaily

Sue, your amazing transformation brought tears of joy to my eyes for you. You have done such an amazing job and stuck with it through some of the most trying times, and it is paying off. The look of sheer joy on your face says it all! Keep it up, as you're almost there, my friend!! You are a superstar!!

ETA: Thank you for being brave and showing the rest of us that perseverance and persistence can pay off in amazing ways! I know it isn't easy to be photographed in a bathing suit.

Hanfordrose

I am so glad that so many of you find inspiration in the progress and story of an old lady. Many folks look at MFP as a site for young folks and people dedicated to working out. I do NOT fit into that model of the MFP member.

I am a representative of the older crowd on MFP, many of whom are not physically able to do a whole lot. Damaged bodies may limit our ability to do some of the more strenuous activity of the gym, even outdoor sports and activities. However, that doesn't mean that we can't lose weight, find 'comfortable' physical activities and even be a real part of MFP. We can even inspire and give wisdom from our own life experiences (both good and bad) to the wonderful, younger folks on MFP. After all, I represent "what they might be in the future"...both good and bad.

To the youngsters...Don't let your life become dedicated to food and carry pounds of fat around with you that can keep you from being all that you would want to be. Don't wait, until you are in your senior years to wake up to the reality that you replaced real happiness for eating day and night through the best years of your life.

To the old timers...Use my example of weight loss, instead of using excuses (i.e. "I'm too old to start another diet.", "It is too hard to lose weight after menopause.", "I don't belong in a swimsuit at my age.", "What difference will it make. It's TOO LATE to change who I am.", and "I have too many physical problems." These excuses all occurred to me...BUT...I still decided to..."AT LEAST TRY TO LOSE SOME WEIGHT."

I set small goals and found success. I did what I could physically, even in a wheelchair, until I didn't need the wheelchair anymore. I kept coming back to MFP and made so many friends who encouraged me every day. Most importantly, I was honest about my food; and I didn't get discouraged and give up, when I would hit an occasional plateau. Slow but steady (like the tortoise) has worked for me.

swsays

Sue, those photos are fabulous - thank you so much for sharing! The beauty is in the smile and the hard work and the progress and the strength that is obvious in your current pictures! Sidenote: I think that size 14 might be a little big too! :-)

dbmata

Well done. You should be proud.

likitisplit

I am so glad that so many of you find inspiration in the progress and story of an old lady. Many folks look at MFP as a site for young folks and people dedicated to working out. I do NOT fit into that model of the MFP member.

I am a representative of the older crowd on MFP, many of whom are not physically able to do a whole lot. Damaged bodies may limit our ability to do some of the more strenuous activity of the gym, even outdoor sports and activities. However, that doesn't mean that we can't lose weight, find 'comfortable' physical activities and even be a real part of MFP. We can even inspire and give wisdom from our own life experiences (both good and bad) to the wonderful, younger folks on MFP. After all, I represent "what they might be in the future"...both good and bad.

To the youngsters...Don't let your life become dedicated to food and carry pounds of fat around with you that can keep you from being all that you would want to be. Don't wait, until you are in your senior years to wake up to the reality that you replaced real happiness for eating day and night through the best years of your life.

To the old timers...Use my example of weight loss, instead of using excuses (i.e. "I'm too old to start another diet.", "It is too hard to lose weight after menopause.", "I don't belong in a swimsuit at my age.", "What difference will it make. It's TOO LATE to change who I am.", and "I have too many physical problems." These excuses all occurred to me...BUT...I still decided to..."AT LEAST TRY TO LOSE SOME WEIGHT."

I set small goals and found success. I did what I could physically, even in a wheelchair, until I didn't need the wheelchair anymore. I kept coming back to MFP and made so many friends who encouraged me every day. Most importantly, I was honest about my food; and I didn't get discouraged and give up, when I would hit an occasional plateau. Slow but steady (like the tortoise) has worked for me.

I think your description of the PERCEPTION of MFP is accurate, however the perception itself is not.

The bulk of us (though far from everybody) are just normal people trying to achieve a level of healthiness and self-esteem. The most successful people I've encountered have done this by a series of small changes and simple consistency, just like you. As one inspiring person put it, "I put in a solid 60% effort because I believe in balance."

Some people do more than that, of course. On the other hand, you are just as much of an outlier - 120 pounds lost is incredible. But what I've found, in following the personal stories of the people who have cultivated physiques the rest of us envy, is that they generally aren't that different from the rest of us either. Many, many people on here never dreamed that their results were within the realm of achievement. A whole lot of them started with "at least try to lose some weight" as well.

I think the reason why you are, in fact, so inspirational, is that you are open about facing the exact same challenges that many of us face. And you do it with such gusto and a refusal to shame yourself based on perceived standards. THAT resonates with every user on this site. You are very much a model MFP member.

carolinelock750

Go girl !

kmariet7

You are awesome!

Slinky_BraveHeartBunsOfSteel

Good on you!!! :flowerforyou:

harribeau2012

I disagree - you are beautiful - that smile says it all - well done!

hmrambling

Awesome job! Thanks for sharing. You are an inspiration.

tamhencam

You are inspirational! Thank you for being you. I love watching your progress!

corinne0805

I love it!! You are awesome! Well done!

Hanfordrose

This is my all time favorite post I've seen yet. Awesome title.

You are a complete and total bad-*kitten*, and a fantastic inspiration!

My sweet hubbie loved your comment about me being a 'total bad-*kitten*'. He said, "He must know you. I thought that I was the only one who knew that you are not some sweet, little, old granny...but a really dangerous lady." :laugh:

fleetzz

Awesome work! :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

_Josee_

Amazing!!

MrsC1st

Mrs. Sue you always have the most encouraging and inspirational post ever. I'm thirty eight and I don't have the courage to post a bathing suit photo; yet lol. You are blessed and please keep the inspiration coming forth. You look great and your proof that one can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. YOU ROCK!

Hanfordrose

"one can do all things through Christ that strengthens us."

Absolutely, Sis. I know who to thank in and out of season.

PurringMyrrh

Fantastic work and thank you so much for posting!

And I definitely agree with the before pic thing - even if you shove them away and don't look at them for another year, you'll regret not having them at the time of success. I have mine stashed in the hopes of such a glorious before and after such as yours!

renee6515

I don't know you but I love you! Lol. You look like a really fun gal and I just love happy people! Love the pics, you are awesome and an inspiration!! Thank you for posting!!!

bellehue

What a dramatic change. So beautiful!

ka97

You are both amazing and beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us!

kawookie

Way to go, Sue!

I took some really unflattering before pictures that I will have to release when I get to goal. Seeing how much you have progressed gives me hope that these stubborn spots may soon shrink.

Beenszter

Absolutely amazing! You are an inspiration and motivation for many of us:flowerforyou: CONGRATULATIONS on your amazing achievement.

ponyvillalobos

CONGRATS!!!!!!! YOU LOOK AMAZING!!

gertudejekyl

Nice improvement, nice courageous attitude:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

AllOutof_Bubblegum

You're a gorgeous bathing beauty to me!! You embody everything that MFP is supposed to be! I love your enthusiasm and confidence. Your hard work shows in every inch of your body! Keep up the good work, we love you!

IamOnMywayNow

You look AMAZING in that suit! You rock it with confidence:) You have done an incredible job and it shows. Thank you for proving that it is NEVER too late for getting fit and wearing a swimsuit!!

nursedb

Great job at taking control now and adding years to your life! I will only show the top half still of me in a swimsuit as I am still well over 200lbs. You rock mamma! Woo hoo!