7 Months, 90+ Pounds (pics)

Once again I am blown away by the support and encouragement from the MFP community. Thanks SO much for your responses and affirmations. I have read each and every one of them, and I truly treasure them.

I'll try to respond to some of the comments and answer questions:

i bet ppl dont recognize you anymore!

Yes! It's really pretty funny. I have walked passed long-time friends and felt hurt that they were ignoring me, only to find out later that they didn't recognize me. We laugh about that all the time.

You are so worth it.

Believing and accepting this simple phrase has been the single-most important thing in changing my life, my lifestyle, and my health. I actually started with, "I am worth more than food that comes in a paper bag." I was a fast food junkie in the worst way, and I had to realize that, dadgummit, I AM worth more than that crappy food!

Have you worked out since day 1?

Almost. I started the 30DS on October 8, about 3 weeks after starting a whole new eating plan. I did 3 days on, 1 day rest until I finished 30DS, which took me a lot longer than 30 days. In January, I bartered with a local gym for a membership and that's when I started using the elliptical and free weights.

I love your new haircut!

Thank you! :flowerforyou:

I've been on MFP almost a year & only a 31 lb lost, I think I need to lower my calories a bit. The fitness center I attend, just put in a pool...opened the first of March, so I've been taking water aerobics & Water in Motion, & swimming laps, I love the water, but I might have to throw something else in, what do you think?

I have 2 thoughts: First, weight loss is 90% what you eat, and only 10% what you do. Focus on what you are eating; use exercise as a way to re-shape your body. Second, screw what the scale says. Decide to eat better and move more for the rest of your life, and the weight will take care of itself. If you eat right and move more just until you lose X pounds, then the pounds will find you again.
Ultimately, though, it's up to you... that's just what has worked for me.

I know how much better you must be feeling, healthier and so much lighter when doing anything physical.

Oh. My. Goodness. YES. More than I ever imagined. I feel SO much better.

I'm going to give it at least a year.

Great plan. Then give it another year after that. And then another year. And then another. Don't stop till you're dead.

Smile you just dropped 90 pounds

I know, right? It's actually getting very hard to keep a straight face for these pictures. Crazy that I used to cringe any time I was facing a camera, and now I can't stop smiling when I am in front of one. But I'm trying to keep the progress pictures uniform...

could you see the changes monthly yourself or not until you looked at the pictures?

Great question. I went back and forth. Around December/January I was feeling discouraged until I looked at the picture from early October. I didn't feel that much different, but looking at my before picture really helped me see that I was indeed making progress. And now I can definitely feel a difference each month, mostly because my clothes are falling off of me.

I pray you look at yourself and say "Hot damn I look good!"

LOL! I actually do say that. LOL And then I shake my head in wonder because I have never, ever felt that way about myself. LOL again. :blushing:

I an now one of your blog followers.

Thank you! And Welcome! Blogging has been a huge, huge, huge help in this process. I love the accountability and support.

Again, sincere and heartfelt thanks for your feedback. You've made my day/week/month! :flowerforyou: