88 pounds and 10 pants sizes lost with photos

muzichick · July 2014

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.

Loralrose · July 2014

Thanks for sharing, yor change is incredible. All that hard work definitely shows!

kwantlen2051 · July 2014

Congrats on your amazing transformation! And thank you for sharing your inspiring story!!!!

futuresize8 · July 2014

Congratulations! What a remarkable gift you've given yourself! Kudos on knowing you're worth good health!

sammama5 · July 2014

Great job! Never give up. :flowerforyou:

fooninie · July 2014

Congrats!!!!!! You are doing so great!

HellaCarriefornia · July 2014

Way to go! Congratulations on your progress!

Penthesilea514 · July 2014

Congratulations- you look amazing! Thank you so much for posting- it is so inspirational to see people doing so well!

Jessesbride · July 2014

Congratulations!!! YOU GO GIRL!!! It's truly amazing seeing what we can do when we put our minds to it, isn't it?!!!

cbarbato71 · July 2014

Wow, you look terrific and are truly and inspriration to the rest of us! Thanks for sharing your story.

swsays · July 2014

Really great post and congrats on your progress!

Lonestar5775 · July 2014

You look like a different person and must feel the same, congratulations and thanks for posting as an inspiration!

oedipa_maas · July 2014

You rule. The biggest thing I promised myself this time around is to not let temporary setbacks become permanent. In fact, to reconceptualize setbacks as just a natural part of the process.

You're a real inspiration

muzichick · July 2014

You rule. The biggest thing I promised myself this time around is to not let temporary setbacks become permanent. In fact, to reconceptualize setbacks as just a natural part of the process.

You're a real inspiration

Thanks

But that is seriously one of the most important skills in this process; How to restart when you slip up. And how to balance real life with weight loss. I ate mini-doughnuts last night, for example. I have them once or twice a year. I enjoy them when I eat them, and I share them with someone else. A few small bites of something tasty is almost always worth the few hundred calories, when you are craving it.