Before

Now.

I feel like 10 more pounds or so left to go.

Time will tell.

They don't

It is kind of cool

I still am adjusting to me

It is a mental and social change

I'm joining a triathlon club. Never thought that would happen

@2Poufs When my MIL died suddenly at age 49, and there was a whole discussion about pictures and who had them and didn't and the fact that she was significantly overweight but never avoided being in pics with family because she was just so happy! Then a good friend passed on from NAFLD, (She was in her early 30's at the oldest) and she'd been heavy so long, I literally had one picture of her that I ran across completely by accident!

Her children didn't have any pictures either, it made it hard for them to grieve and made their loss seem more intense because they literally had no reminders left. It took this kind of jolt for me to realize that my family saw me exactly how I was, regardless of whether I allowed pictures or not, and it hurt me MORE to think of them without pictures of me for memories should the words happen (Gods forbid), and I realized how SELFISH I was being to rob them of memories we shared just because I didn't like my reflection. I was who I was, and avoiding pictures did not change that.

I think that was a pivotal realization and acceptance that started me mental changes to get me where I am today. I am not saying that this applies to anyone else, but my fear of being in pictures and having to recognize and accept what I had done to myself physically or allowed to happen to me was the projection of my selfishness at not wanting to SEE what I had done. I was avoiding accepting reality, and robbing my family of ME... I had to get over all that before I could get healthier...

I sincerely hope no one has to go through this kind of loss to realize something like this, and I hope everyone else's reasons for avoiding pictures aren't the same as mine were, but remember, a picture is just a snapshot of time. It doesn't lie, it doesn't poke fun, it doesn't hurt us. It is our interpretation that does. I'd rather my family have a ton of photos of me at my heaviest, because that is how they knew me then...than for them to have nothing of me when I'm gone...

Photo on the left was 40 pounds ago ...

KaseyDH83 wrote: »

Photo on the left was 40 pounds ago ...

I simply cannot get over the fact that most of us look like our own sons and daughters from then to now!!!! It is crazy how much younger and healthier we all look!

2Poufs wrote: »

@KnitOrMiss You're right and many of your reasons are my reasons. My sister is the pretty one, and she's never let me forget it in 45 years, and I'm the smart one. Pictures are just a reminder of my sister being a jerk. But I hate the thought that there won't be many pics when I'm gone, at least nothing where I'm not acting the fool! Yep, that's pretty selfish.

I really like putting faces to names, but I haven't done that for you guys and that kinda makes me a tool. So...



Although I'm not getting rid of Abby (my coffee cup) as an avatar. Not for a while. Baby steps!

Wow! You've come a long way. You look really good. Reverse aging....

KaseyDH83 wrote: »

Photo on the left was 40 pounds ago ...

Big difference! your whole look is so much brighter.

These are so wonderful--not only because of the progress we all have made but also because it's nice to put faces to names and avatars. You are all beautiful people--were before and are now!

KnitOrMiss wrote: »

KaseyDH83 wrote: »

Photo on the left was 40 pounds ago ...

I simply cannot get over the fact that most of us look like our own sons and daughters from then to now!!!! It is crazy how much younger and healthier we all look!

Interesting take on that.

This is a feel good thread

I've also been stunned at how different people look. Even people still journeying to their goal. Holy cow people! There are some total transformations. I also see some great attitude changes and people rocking a whole new look. Way to go guys!