37 Pounds Down!

daringstoic

A friend I haven't seen in ages just told me that my recent facebook photos had inspired her to join a gym. I'm feeling pretty good today (even though I still have a long way to go), so I thought I'd post some before and after pictures. The before shots are from December 2011 and February 2012.

Before:






And after:





I hadn't looked at old pictures in a long time, and I can't believe how much of a difference MFP has made! This really has been a great year.

Narc_soda

Bump!

nowine4me

Nice work. You look great.

Gerald_King

great loss well done

theonenonlykris

Great job! A big difference in your mid section and on your smile

laurenrenee1025

you look awesome! what was your routine?

daringstoic

you look awesome! what was your routine?

Thanks everyone!

The biggest difference was cutting back what I ate and making better choices. I've got a major sweet tooth and I love comfort foods, and while I still count baking as one of my favorite hobbies, I've learned to exercise some self-control and limit myself to one serving when I eat sweets and other goodies like pizza and french fries. I started logging in the middle of February, and I haven't missed a day. I've really only had two big splurge days where I was way over my calorie goal since then, and I got right back on track after them.

I started out walking and doing some light stationary bike riding for the first few months, and then I took up running during the summer. When the weather was warm, I also rode my bike on errands to stores that were within a few miles of my house, but I've packed that away for the winter now.

The best part is that I'm happy with what I eat. I very rarely feel deprived, so I really believe that this is something I can sustain long-term. This is the first time since early high school when I've looked at myself in the mirror and not hated what I saw, and it's so nice to not dread shopping for clothes anymore.

gingerlaurie

WOW, girl!!! Pat yourself on that skinny back of yours and say, "GREAT JOB!!".

Outstanding.:)

glahlstedt

I am soooo jealous! i wish i could be down 37lbs right now! Great job! All of your hard work has really paid off! I'm hoping to be posting some pics of myself after I lose that much weight. Gosh, its been a very slow process, because I have pre-diabetes. However, I am going to do this! Your story is inspirational! High 5!

daringstoic

I am soooo jealous! i wish i could be down 37lbs right now! Great job! All of your hard work has really paid off! I'm hoping to be posting some pics of myself after I lose that much weight. Gosh, its been a very slow process, because I have pre-diabetes. However, I am going to do this! Your story is inspirational! High 5!

Thanks! It's so worth it, and it really does make a difference knowing that other people have walked the same road you're on. Support from the MFP community has played a big role in keeping me on track when I wanted to give up. I just wish I hadn't wasted so many years hating my appearance.

selfmedicated2

AWESOME! You look so wonderful! Congratulations :-)

Jennaissance

It must feel so good to finally feel like there is an "after." Congratulations!

baoneill29

Wow, great job!

Kathylouhoo

Great Job!!