HW: 329lbs(145kg) Weight now: 194 (88kg) I'm still a work in progress!

freedomfighter1 wrote: »

I must say everyone looks so great. Well done! It's so wonderful to see so many friends going through the same ups and downs to reach our goals. It's great to know we are not alone, isn't it! Big Hug to you all.

(((((((FREEDOMFIGHTER1))))) RIGHT BACK AT YA!

Amazing changes!

Awesome guys. I will be two months post-op the 10th. I'm not the best yet on face photos. I started at 262 and currently 199. Sorry so huge, don't know how to fix size.

Wow, you all look AWESOME!!!!!

Okay lets see if I can do this again.
Jan 3rd will be one year since I started this life change. And 9 months since VSG.

Top left pic is in 2009 - it was my "before" pic for some diet or workout I was planning to try - didnt make it a week!. I had VSG 2 years (and +10 pounds @200) later. After a year i had lost 55 pounds and was feeling really good - until I took the top right pic in 2012... UGH... I was *crushed* at how bad I still looked... I was the definition of "skinny fat" - I had lost a TON of muscle... My shoulders and knees were skeletal, I had no butt to speak of, and yet still lots of back and belly fat. I fell into depression and basically didnt get out of bed for months - GAINED 20 pounds...

In late 2013 I joined a gym and got some basic training sessions to help me know what to do. I found I *loved* lifting weights and having someone personally tell me what to do (group classes and videos never worked for me). 4 months of working with him I lost the 20 pounds to put me right back where I was in 2012 - 145 pounds. But a whole size smaller due to gaining some muscle back! That is the bottom left picture.

Two months after that I had lost another 15 pounds, and I have slowly been recomping since with my weight staying steady the whole time. I went from 40% body fat when I started training to 17% (DEXA scan) now. I have curves and a butt and everything The best part is my trainer forced me to increase calories all year. I was paying him, so I listened! I now maintain on 2100-2300 calories a day (yes, it takes some effort). I am actually trying to "bulk" now and gain a few more pounds of muscle! What a change from the past 25 years of my life!

Sorry for the long story, just had to explain the pics!

This isn't after but where I am finishing this year. I started my journey in January 2014 with 6 months of counseling and tests, was approved for surgery and had my VSG on July 24, 2014. I am 5.5 months post-op and have lost 70 pounds, so far. I'm looking forward to 2015! From left to right picture dates are March 2014 (I'm sorry I didn't take a better "before" picture), July 2014 (after two weeks of strict Dr. prescribed liquid diet), and mid-December 2014.

Patty, you look terrific!

JreedyJanelle --- Wow! Amazing!! And I agree with aylajane --- you look so much younger also.

Whoohoo! You guys look great!