44lb down!

allana3uk

I've been struggling with my weight for years (long-term corticosteroids and general gluttony) and in October '11 I found myself at 285lb and beginning to get worried about my health prospects. My dad had just died and we discovered that he had undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes which had caused complications and I suddenly realised that I was heading in the same direction. Something had to be done.

I've been a low-fat, wholegrains kind of girl for years and came to the realisation that this was getting me nowhere except hungrier and fatter. The only thing I hadn't tried was Atkins so I decided to give that a whirl for a couple of weeks and I had a little bit of success and loved the freedom to eat cheese with wild and reckless abandon, but, I missed colourful veggies. So I did a bit of research and then remembered that years ago a friend had done this weird thing called "primal" and had lost loads of weight while still eating just about every fruit and veg and utterly delicious-sounding meals. At the time I thought she was crazy like a fish for giving up grains and legumes, but I'd survived for 2 weeks without pasta etc, so obviously it wasn't impossible for me to give up grains!! I read Mark's Daily Apple avidly and then plunged in.

Here's me at my biggest. We were at a wedding and I thought I looked pretty.



And here's me today (5 months later), down 44lb (3st 2)



(If anyone is curious, I'm 5' 4".)

I have 96lb to go and I'm excited to see what sort of body I'm going to uncover. My husband thinks I'm crazy as I get so excited every time I discover a bone peeking out or a line appearing in a muscle

skinnyjeansdiva

your story is really touching, I can't imagine having to lose someone in order for a health reality check to creep in. I'm sorry about your dad, but happy you are on the right track! congrats to you for taking your health back!!!!

allana3uk

your story is really touching, but I can't see your pics b/c they are too large. Either way seeing them or not, congrats to you for taking your health back!!!!

Thank-you!! I just resized them. I didn't realise they were too big until it was too late

Stormyyy

You did look pretty back then, but look at you now, hot mumma!! Well done and keep going!!

shine87

Hi goodmorning... READ ur post..good job, ur looking great and overall in better health. Hope u stay excited...I'm going for my goal of 51 by summer. Ur story is inspiring

jwilliams124

WOW you look amazing! That is truely a great accomplishment! 44lbs! Thank you for sharing!

TKHappy

You look great!! Keep up the good work!!

sharnellgreer

YOU LOOK GREAT KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK !

genablue

you were beautiful in the first picture, you just look happier in the second and more beautiful....great job!

iamfranniefierce

U go, Girl!

sallyann123

wow! amazing! did u do this while still on the corticosteroid?

allana3uk

wow! amazing! did u do this while still on the corticosteroid?

Yeah... still taking the horrid things. I'm on 15mg of prednisolone/day.

Thanks so much for your lovely comments, everyone!!

bioniclemonade

You look amazing!! Keep it up!

moonspells

Amazing job...keep up the great work! )

shelley2shane

Awesome job!! I need to lose alot of weight and love seeing these stories..

kikilareggae

Just lovely! Thanks for sharing.

sallyann123

so do you feel its still possible on steroids you just need to work harder for results? I felt like i was fighting an impossible war which only led to failure. I was eating within my 1200 cal limit with very minimum exercise. That could have been the problem but I lost motivation due to the meds.............i need to go back on them but i was so upset i went off! i wld feel more comfortable to go bak on the steroids if i knew it was possible to lose and that i wont be stuck being fat:(

allana3uk

so do you feel its still possible on steroids you just need to work harder for results? I felt like i was fighting an impossible war which only led to failure. I was eating within my 1200 cal limit with very minimum exercise. That could have been the problem but I lost motivation due to the meds.............i need to go back on them but i was so upset i went off! i wld feel more comfortable to go bak on the steroids if i knew it was possible to lose and that i wont be stuck being fat:(

Hi Sally Ann. I think it very much depends on what steroid dose you're on and what sort of diet you choose. I'm still taking a low-ish dose of prednisolone (15mg) and managing to lose with a lower carb primal diet. I aim for about 70g of carbs a day and have cut out processed foods, grains and legumes. (Still trying to cut out Splenda, but my sweet tooth isn't quite as sweet as it used to be.) A low-carb diet won't suit everyone but after years of being starving hungry on low-fat diets while taking steroids... it's been brilliant for me. Good luck!