New picture (OK, I have to brag a little)

Azdak

I have been using a profile picture that I took last May. At the time I had lost 30lbs and had just gotten a new haircut and was feeling very proud myself. Since then, I had lost another 25lbs or so, but had not taken any new pictures. Anyhow, the new one was taken last night at a formal dinner party (hence the suit and tie). Since I had lost so much weight when the first pic was taken, I didn't think this one would be that different, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I'm still not quite ready for a "workout" picture yet :embarassed: but I thought this one came out well.

Thanks for indulging me.

AmandaJ

Oh yeah!! Big changes in your face, looks much slimmer! Good job!

savvystephy

You are so much thinner in the face! Awesome!

lulabellewoowoo

YOU LOOK GREAT! Thanks for sharing

KylieLynn

wow! you look great, Thanks for the inspiration.

rachi20024

Brag away you look AWESOME!

vhuber

WOW !!!!! Good job!!!! You are at your goal right, no more?????

Azdak

WOW !!!!! Good job!!!! You are at your goal right, no more?????

Actually, no. Based on past measurements, weights, etc, I am probably a good 20lbs over my "ideal"--my waist is still 37". . However, at this point, I am not aggressively trying to lose either. I hit my "plateau" in mid Aug and since then I have been concentrating more on strength training and "maintenance" eating. I reduced my weekly aerobic calories by a good 40%, but I have been more consistent and aggressive with strength training. I am basically using myself as an experiment in "stage 2" of a weight loss program. It seems as though the strategies that allow someone to drop a lot of weight when starting at high level (i.e. exercise and calorie restriction) become less effective the nearer one gets to one's goal. (Some of this conclusion comes from anecdotes, some from research).

I don't know if it is a situation where, over time, it just becomes too difficult to sustain a low-calorie eating plan, or the body accommodates itself to the ongoing routine (which has been going on for several months), or what.

I am not at a bad level now, so there is no great sense of urgency. For the last couple of months, I have just been letting the exercise take it's course. Actually, as the exercise has become more aggressive, I have been more concerned with making sure I am maintaining adequate "fuel" for my workouts and recovery, and less on maintaining a strict calorie deficit. I was thinking that after the new year I might try to go back to a more rigorous diet and see how that works.

cds2327

Wow!! You can totally see the difference in your face! Way to go:)

cherie2304

I have been using a profile picture that I took last May. At the time I had lost 30lbs and had just gotten a new haircut and was feeling very proud myself. Since then, I had lost another 25lbs or so, but had not taken any new pictures. Anyhow, the new one was taken last night at a formal dinner party (hence the suit and tie). Since I had lost so much weight when the first pic was taken, I didn't think this one would be that different, but I was pleasantly surprised.

I'm still not quite ready for a "workout" picture yet :embarassed: but I thought this one came out well.

Thanks for indulging me.

Wow!!! I didn't recognize you. I had to go to your pictures to see who you were.
You look great and good job on all the hard work!!! Keep it up!