270+-164 and still going!

blueroses_78

The topic should be read as 270+ to 164 and still going!

I never thought I'd be this size again...

I'm 5'4", and nearing my mid thirties. I was a size 18 when I got married for the first time in 2000 (divorced in 2006). In 2006, I started nursing school and was a size 20W. When I got remarried, I managed to fit into a size 18 dress again, somehow. I crept up and up to a size 24W-26W. This is after a near crippling bout of depression (2000-2004), two pregnancies (2006 & 2010, both c-sections), and working the night shift at my local hospital (which throws off natural body rhythms). I topped the scales at 274 lbs at my heaviest.

I started Zumba classes in February 2011, and in July, had a lap band placed.

Since then, I've lost 106 lbs. I know, plenty will say that I "cheated" or took the "lazy way out" - it's been anything but. I work hard to watch my intake of calories. I work out several times a week (I have a 2 hour+ Zumbathon tomorrow), and I drink a lot of water (more than I used to, not as much as I should). I have worked my rear end off, and while I'm happy and proud of that...it's still VERY surreal to me, especially when I go to the store and realize that I can't buy shirts with an X in the size. I'm in a size 8-10, and 10-12 (depending on the type of clothes, and the brand).

My profile pic is my before and after.

And I can't believe I'm posting this here...I feel like I'm begging for validation *lol*

Smilez22

Amazing!

Sharon_C

You go! You should be very proud of yourself.

AABru

:drinker: And here is your validation:WOOOOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!! Nice work lady!

marie_cressman

you're doing great!!! you deserve the praise!

veduffey

I say "Way to Go!" You have lost 164 lbs! That is awesome!!

WilliamsPeggy

Well done! :flowerforyou:

Jkmumma

It's not cheating, it's accepting that you have a reason that diet and exercise alone wasn't the right answer for you. It's having the courage to do something very frightening for a life change. It's doing what you needed to do to get where you want to be. I've chosen NOT to go the surgical method, but one of my friends did, and I was with them 100% of the way, and I know what they had to do to qualify for the surgery, and it is NOT cheating. OMG sometimes I think she had to do, is doing more, than I am with just diet and exercise... She's right there with me at the gym, understanding that food is only PART of the situation.

Well done!