Nervous about posting, but I think I have a before/after

I'm nervous about this, but I think it's finally time for me to post my before/after photos. I get a little embarrassed when people say that I've lost weight because I feel like that means I was really big when I started, since I can't tell too much of a difference.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroid in June after gaining around 15 pounds really quickly. I had always stayed around the same weight year after year so I knew there was something wrong. I'd stick to my 1200 calorie diet and not lose an ounce, sometimes even gain. Hair falling out, always forgetting things, absolutely no energy. I didn't want to go out, let alone exercise. I'm not completely regulated yet, but I'm getting where I need to be.

I joined a weight loss group at work and really started tracking and trying to stay under my calorie limits. To make it easy on myself and to keep myself from getting discouraged, I had three calorie goals. I figured up my maintenance calories, my mid-way loss, and my regular loss. During the week I would try to stick under the lowest goal, but if I had an off day, I'd be sure to stay in my mid-way. And on the weekends when I'd go out to eat, I made sure to stay under maintenance. I felt like I still had cheat days, but nothing to make me gain.

Anyway, I can see the scale moving, and I hit two goals already, but I still feel like I look the same. I think most of it comes from I never saw myself as bigger since I gained it so fast. But this morning I took a picture and I realized I've come a pretty long way.

I'm 5'3", started at around 161 lbs, and I'm now somewhere around 138. I can tell I've lost since I've last weighed, but I don't own a scale so it's only a guess. I wanted to go a little lower, but I think I need to focus more on toning now since I did this without exercising hardly at all. Also, all my clothes are too big now, so hopefully you can tell a difference regardless.

Before


Before again


And this morning: