Same Vacation - 1 Year and 30lbs. Later (Pics)

First picture I got back from my soon-to-be mother in-law after a vacation to Moline, Illinois. I remember seeing this picture for the first time and thinking "I didn't know I was THAT heavy". This exact picture was one thing that jump started my weight loss journey and I've been using it as a "before" picture. I remember the day this was taken I actually felt skinny and was sucking my gut in (like I usually did). I started a weight loss program in August of 2011, a month after this picture was taken. I switched to MFP in June 2012. I'm 5'4" and 26 years old.

Second picture was taken in Moline, Illinois almost exactly a year later. The biggest difference for me is I'm not mortified to see pictures of myself anymore! Nobody has seen the first picture, the second picture I posted on Facebook My stomach was even a little bit bloated in this picture from eating junk food, but I still feel confident.

July 2011 at 189+ pounds


July 2012 at 159 pounds


I still have a long, long way to go but it feels good to see the changes in pictures

And for anyone who is just starting out I would tell them that if I can do it, you can do it too! You just need to remember that you can't lose 20 pounds over night or in one week. If you stick with your calories and incorporate some kind of activity you WILL lose weight. Just be patient and stick with it.