Mother's Day, 133 pounds difference

ShannonMpls

I've been in maintenance mode for 9 months now and - I hate to admit it - some of the novelty wears off.

I don't get the "omg, you look great!" comments from friends who haven't seen me in awhile anymore, because, well, they've all seen me.

The bliss of being able to shop anywhere, of buying size small shirts, of never having to set foot near a plus-size section? That's worn off. I no longer buy clothes JUST BECAUSE THEY FIT, which I used to do all the time. It was just so astounding to me that a dress that looks that tiny will fit my body so obviously I had to have it, but no more - I buy things because I actually want them, not because of the size on the tag. Good for my wallet, though, and my overflowing closet

I don't get as excited about gains in the gym anymore. Yes, I can fun faster. Yes, I can keep up in any group class. Yes, I can do real pushups while the other ladies are on their knees. Yes, I can lift more. It's old hat, you see.

I've started a new job, and no one here knows who I was before (who I was? weird way of phrasing it...let's try "how I looked." I'm the same person). People just assume this is how I've always been, a lunchtime gym-goer who rarely goes out to eat.

I feel great and energetic. But...I feel that way every day now.

And this is the kind of complacency that I don't want. I need to be reminded of where I've been so I don't go back. That's why I am posting this. Thank you for humoring me

This was me in June of 2010, a few months after my son was born (that smile is real; it's perfectly possible to be fat and happy).


This was me last summer. This is the mom I want to be, the mom I am. Active and showing my son the world from within, not from the sidelines.


This is Mother's Day, 2010 vs 2012 (I started losing weight in June of 2011):


And this was me with my boy on Sunday:


What's good about the novelty wearing off though? My son won't remember his mom as tired and obese. He'll remember me as the one who takes him on hikes, who happily wears a bathing suit to swim in Lake Harriet with him, who is always up for a challenge, who NEVER says no to having a photo taken with him (how sad that I don't have a Mother's Day pic from 2011...).

Though I kind of miss the "wow, you look amazing!" comments I'm so grateful my son will grow up in a home where healthy food and attitudes and summers of camping and kayaking and adventure are the norm, so he will hopefully carry that with him for his whole life and give this gift to his own children some day.

I'm down 133 pounds and, though it's trite, I've gained so much more. I'm not going back, that's for certain.

(if you'd like to read more about me and my weight loss, check out my blog: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ShannonMpls )

NoleGirl0918

Wow - i'm sure it took hard work to get there but you look GREAT! You know how you used to be, so enjoy knowing that you are healthier, even if your new co-workers don't remember you that way.

ktsmom430

You look absolutely great!
You are an inspiration to everyone and a great role model for your son!
Congratulations!

swedishwillow

Looove looove this post! You look amazing, sound amazing and your goals for yourself and your son are amazing! Eventually I will get there, and with people such as yourself achieving so much I think I will, eventually!!!!

gatorginger

Just remember your setting a great example for your children. You look great

ketchupqueen

WONDERFUL!!

kaseymei

You look great! congratulations on being able to maintain. That's a huge accomplishment.

svgarcia

Wow amazing transformation! Did u eat clean? What kind of exercises?

mrsjay4life

Great job you look awesome

EpicPickle

I love this. You look fantastic, and I really enjoyed your story. Best to you in the future.

Beckyloo80

you look AMAZING!!!!!
WAY TO GO!!!

ChristyRunStarr

Wow, I can't get over the difference! You look amazing-you can tell you were happy in that first picture but the smile in the after pictures-they say even more. Amazing story and I'm so glad you're able to be the mom you want to be :bigsmile:

4_Lisa

Wow great job... an amazing story for sure.. Good for you for not forgetting where you have come from...!

NovemberJune

awesome awesome awesome

ShannonMpls

Wow amazing transformation! Did u eat clean? What kind of exercises?

I guess I'm a clean eater? But I also eat a lot of crap too My diary is fully open, so feel free to check it out. Lately I've not been logging weekends though and that's where things get messsssssssssssy

Strength training 3 days a week, 45-60 minutes, heavy to mid-range lifting, free weights and barbells. I normally alternate weeks between 10-12 reps and 6-8. For cardio, usually two days a week, sometimes three if I'm training for a race. Group exercise classes or runs, I basically never use an elliptical or machine anymore. Lots of walks and hikes when it's nice outside which it FINALLY is in Minnesota. I take fitness pretty seriously now!

jonswife0206

You look fantastic ! Thank you for sharing your story, it's so inspirational.

CRichards22

Ah!!! I'll humor you! You look abso-freakin- lutely INCREDIBLE!

This post will inspire so many, and so many will flood you with friend requests like me in hopes that there is some secret to how you went from picture 2011 to 2013. I know they won't find anything but a mama who has busted her rear end and gotten to where she set her mind to go!

So proud of you! I feel that way sometimes too...I'm not even to goal yet, but close. But I feel like the "wow, you've lost how much?" is pretty much over. I'm sad (kinda) but not really because I AM this person now. And whether I ever see 140? Who knows! But I know one thing! I'm never gonna see 269 on my scale again!!!

So, cheers to you! And don't ever forget how awesome you are and how far you come. No matter how strong or fast you get... always remember where you came from! Becuase THAT shows how amazing you are! *hugs!*

innocenceportrayed

You look incredible! Even though your smile in the first picture is contagious, you look so much more happy in the latter pictures.

Corbinsmom

Absolutley inspirational. You look incredible. WOW

sreed016

Your son is adorable and you look awesome! Way to go on being a fit mom. I have a teen daughter and my goal is to be a good example of eating clean staying active!

Elbee1

You look fantastic and I love your blog posts!
Linda