88 pounds and 10 pants sizes lost with photos

It has been 2.5 years since I started seriously focusing on losing weight, and improving my health. Like many people, I don't have many pictures of myself at that weight, because it was easier to believe that I was doing alright, without photographic evidence. This photo is about 7 pounds away from my highest weight, while on vacation visiting my husband's family, in Europe:



I thought I looked good, and I really liked that sweater. Those pants were a size 28.

Here's a bit more of a side view:



Back in December (at about 60 pounds lost), I got a new work coat as a gift (the red one on the right). It was a men's XL. The blue one on the left is what I bought 3 years ago, and it is a size 3XL, and it was a little tight at my heaviest.




The other day, I wandered into the Gap, which is somewhere I haven't shopped since junior high. I thought I might be able to find a cute top, but they had their pants on sale. On a whim, I tried on a pair of size 18's, fully expecting them to not even get over my thighs; But to my complete surprise, they fit. I thought it must be a fluke, so I asked the woman for a different pair, in a different wash and style. They also fit.

I haven't actually lost much weight in 3 months, but I've really started focusing on fitness. I bought a bike, and the other weekend, I did a 5 mile hike with friends while camping, which is something I never would have been able to complete 2 years ago.





So, the moral of the story is, just keep trying. I've started and stopped countless times, and I've found that sometimes I lose weight, but then I'll plateau on the weight loss, while my shape changes. It isn't ever linear, nor is it easy, but slow and steady progress matters, and eventually you will get somewhere, as long as you don't quit.

I still have some more to lose, but I think this milestone is worth sharing with anyone who is struggling, or just starting out.