Posting My "Befores"...

2

Replies

  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    1979kiki wrote: »
    very excited for you! adding so I can follow your journey and sponge off of your motivation!! very proud of you!

    :) Thank you! Excited to connect!;
  • serindipte
    serindipte Posts: 1,557 Member
    serindipte wrote: »
    Welcome to the rest of your life :smile:

    Joining MFP was the best thing I've ever done! Coming back again for round two after letting go through some personal junk. I'd lost 50lbs before and regained 30lbs of that. I'm going to get down to my goal weight this time and keep it off.

    (Please read the following in the kindest tone possible. That's how it's meant)

    I took a glance through your diary and saw no actual food? Optifast everything plus some broth and vitamins... I can understand if you're just wanting to give yourself a kick start. I also wanted to let you know that you can do this with regular food. It's going to work better, be more sustainable and help you to keep the weight off if you lose it with food. Learning to properly proportion (via the use of a food scale), how to balance "good" food (nutritiously dense) with "bad" food (less nutritious but oh so yummy) is one of the great advantages of this program, in my opinion. ETA: I just caught the part of the year long medical weight loss program. Oops.

    I'm sending a friend request and hope to watch as you and I both shrink down to where we want to be!

    Hi Serindipte, Congrats on the previous weight loss - I'm sure you can do it again!! I've had a hard time losing weight my entire life. So many people turn to weight loss surgery at this point, which - I have no judgement against! I just am afraid of going under the knife and figured I would try this plan before ever thinking about doing that. The nice thing about this plan is it is very comprehensive, so it includes meeting with a doctor, medical assistant, nutritionist, fitness trainer, etc. every week! I think so much of the time when we struggle with our weight, especially when it's your entire life, there are deep mental issues also at work. This just felt like the right path for me.

    Fingers crossed for both of our success. Excited to follow your progress as well!

    I know for some people, the weight loss surgery is their best option and I've seen some with amazing results. It isn't for me, though. I've also seen others who've had troubles with it. I know that, in the end, I can do this without it and you can, too!

    It sounds like you have an amazing support and teaching system!! I can't WAIT to see how amazing you look after you've lost a bit! You're already a beautiful woman, but that is going to be even more obvious as the weight melts off.

    If you haven't already, I'd make sure to take measurements! Not only the few places listed in MFP, but I also add upper and lower abdomen, chest (under breasts and over), and around the largest portion of my hips which ends up being down at upper thigh almost.

    Even when the scale gets a bit stuck, you can take those measurements again and see progress.
  • CarpeDentum
    CarpeDentum Posts: 2 Member
    Hi My Optimal Life,

    I've sent you a friend request.
    I'm new and really enjoyed reading your post, very inspiring!
    Good luck to you and I hope we can share progress, ideas and inspiration :smiley: x
  • Mellykay88
    Mellykay88 Posts: 307 Member
    Just wanted to say hi! I'll send a friend request. I've been on MFP for about a year, but just started getting serious towards the beginning of December. I've lost 38 lbs so far, but I've got a long way to go. This is a really great community, and I've learned so much and been so inspired.
  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    edited January 2017
    serindipte wrote: »
    serindipte wrote: »

    I know for some people, the weight loss surgery is their best option and I've seen some with amazing results. It isn't for me, though. I've also seen others who've had troubles with it. I know that, in the end, I can do this without it and you can, too!

    It sounds like you have an amazing support and teaching system!! I can't WAIT to see how amazing you look after you've lost a bit! You're already a beautiful woman, but that is going to be even more obvious as the weight melts off.

    If you haven't already, I'd make sure to take measurements! Not only the few places listed in MFP, but I also add upper and lower abdomen, chest (under breasts and over), and around the largest portion of my hips which ends up being down at upper thigh almost.

    Even when the scale gets a bit stuck, you can take those measurements again and see progress.

    Thanks so much, again. Yes, no shame in people who have done WLS, everyone is on a different path and journey to finding health and happiness. I'm excited to stay in touch!! Yes, funny you mention measurements...I just took those last night. Also super eye opening. I'll be meeting with the fitness trainer tomorrow, so I'm excited to incorporate exercise into the process.
  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    Hi My Optimal Life,

    I've sent you a friend request.
    I'm new and really enjoyed reading your post, very inspiring!
    Good luck to you and I hope we can share progress, ideas and inspiration :smiley: x

    Hi CarpeDentum - Thanks so much! I've never thought of that as being inspiring, so that's nice to hear! :) I'm excited to see both of us progress!
  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    melkelmore wrote: »
    Just wanted to say hi! I'll send a friend request. I've been on MFP for about a year, but just started getting serious towards the beginning of December. I've lost 38 lbs so far, but I've got a long way to go. This is a really great community, and I've learned so much and been so inspired.

    38 lbs?! That's awesome, melkelmore! I'd love to stay connected! Sounds like you've figured out something that works well for you!! Congrats!
  • lowcarbog
    lowcarbog Posts: 42 Member
    Congrats on starting this journey! A lot of us are embarking on a similar journey. Good for you on posting before pics, I wasn't brave enough to that! I'm looking forward to seeing you kill this!
  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
    You got this and can't wait to see you in 2018
  • RYIwill
    RYIwill Posts: 9 Member
    edited January 2017
    Well, yuo know what they say, if you loose eyour weight slower it will be more sustainable, but I think kickstarting it is good! But it's also good taht you plan to go back to real food, it's so tasty. Hope to see your change till the end! Let's motivate ourselves!
  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    cgshall74 wrote: »
    Congrats on starting this journey! A lot of us are embarking on a similar journey. Good for you on posting before pics, I wasn't brave enough to that! I'm looking forward to seeing you kill this!

    Thanks so much, Cghsall. It's exciting to connect with so many people on this journey as well. It helps to keep me motivated (while I salivate as someone is passing by my desk with something that smells delicious ha!). Posting befores are definitely the scariest thing I've ever done. Definitely makes you very vulnerable, but I think in the end it will be worth it! Best of luck!
  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    You got this and can't wait to see you in 2018

    Thanks, Micahel. It looks like you've really figured out what works for you. Congrats on your success!
  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    RYIwill wrote: »
    Well, yuo know what they say, if you loose eyour weight slower it will be more sustainable, but I think kickstarting it is good! But it's also good taht you plan to go back to real food, it's so tasty. Hope to see your change till the end! Let's motivate ourselves!

    That is definitely what I've heard as well. I think, for me, I needed a really structured regime with accountability that also is with someone else. Having a great time will set me up for success in the future as I start to introduce healthy foods back into my diet!
  • crzycatlady1
    crzycatlady1 Posts: 1,930 Member
    Welcome back!
  • vikinglander
    vikinglander Posts: 1,547 Member
    I'd like to share the road...

    (sent a friend request...)
  • JasonRainboze
    JasonRainboze Posts: 168 Member
    Good job for putting yourself out there! Thats the way winning is done!
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    Wow, impressive on you for putting yourself out there like that! Best of luck to you!!!!
  • drakeshattuck
    drakeshattuck Posts: 50 Member
    Thanks for posing in clothes, and not your panties as many do. Good luck to you, you'll do great!

    One word of advice, EVERYTHING, no matter how small or apparently insignificant goes on the diary. If you don't, you're only fooling and cheating yourself. Even if you have a bad day, EVERYTHING you consume goes on the list, all the beer, shots, the handful of chips you grabbed on the way out the door. If you don't know exactly the caloric value, find something close and enter it. When in doubt, pick a higher value. For example, we stopped by a friend's house and she made home made pizza. I had one slice and then I looked up pizza and the values are from 300 to 800 per slice. I picked one at 460 calories because I knew the slice I ate was probably more like the 300-400 calorie range. That's right, when in doubt, over-estimate and you get less to eat, :wink:
  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    Welcome back!

    Good to be back, crzycatlady!
  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    I'd like to share the road...

    (sent a friend request...)

    I'm all about it! :) Accepted!
  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    Good job for putting yourself out there! Thats the way winning is done!

    Thanks @JasonRainboze - It's scary to put myself out there like that, but I felt like it was a good way to keep myself accountable.
  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    Thanks for posing in clothes, and not your panties as many do. Good luck to you, you'll do great!

    One word of advice, EVERYTHING, no matter how small or apparently insignificant goes on the diary. If you don't, you're only fooling and cheating yourself. Even if you have a bad day, EVERYTHING you consume goes on the list, all the beer, shots, the handful of chips you grabbed on the way out the door. If you don't know exactly the caloric value, find something close and enter it. When in doubt, pick a higher value. For example, we stopped by a friend's house and she made home made pizza. I had one slice and then I looked up pizza and the values are from 300 to 800 per slice. I picked one at 460 calories because I knew the slice I ate was probably more like the 300-400 calorie range. That's right, when in doubt, over-estimate and you get less to eat, :wink:

    Haha. Funny you mention the "panties" shot. I actually did take some in them and maybe once I'm further in my journey, I may post them. (Don't worry - I'll warn you ;) ) but strangely I felt like I looked better in those than in the ones I actually posted. Idk I feel that way, but it kind of surprised me (aside from the fact that I hate my stretch marks). Anyways...

    Yes agree with calorie counting and guesstimating will only get you so far. Thankfully, the first 12 weeks are strictly Optifast with my doctor then we slowly incorporate good foods back in!
  • jim_n_virginia
    jim_n_virginia Posts: 59 Member
    This is my second go around lost 50 gained 30 of it back through the holidays. Back on track again and gonna get serious this time and keep on it till I reach goal but I have a long as to go 75 lbs +. Looking for friends who are active and motivate and don't give up. I got off track but kept logging so up to 400 something days. I should be skinny by now! LOL!

    What I need to remember is it's a life style change and not just a diet. Sent a friend request! Good luck! We'll luck doesn't have much to do with it. It's perseverance! LOL!
  • kmk1447
    kmk1447 Posts: 95 Member
    Good luck!!!
  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    This is my second go around lost 50 gained 30 of it back through the holidays. Back on track again and gonna get serious this time and keep on it till I reach goal but I have a long as to go 75 lbs +. Looking for friends who are active and motivate and don't give up. I got off track but kept logging so up to 400 something days. I should be skinny by now! LOL!

    What I need to remember is it's a life style change and not just a diet. Sent a friend request! Good luck! We'll luck doesn't have much to do with it. It's perseverance! LOL!

    I'm sure you'll do it again! We always have to keep in mind (especially those of us who've been overweight a majority of our life) that this is truly a lifestyle change and not a "diet." 400 days is impressive!! Let's stay connected and motivate each other.
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  • Littletoepeep
    Littletoepeep Posts: 10 Member
    You have so got this!!! Go girl x
  • Anthoula75
    Anthoula75 Posts: 2 Member
    Hi everyone, such wonderful and inspiring stories in here. I realize that eating food that nourishes my body is important but I didnt get to this weight by eating healthy, it's a challenge. Some days I just want pizza, all within my calorie count. Does anyone else do this and still lose weight?
  • chimonetabron2014
    chimonetabron2014 Posts: 57 Member
    Congratulations! You can do it & we are all here for support! Feel free to add me!
  • MyOptimalLife
    MyOptimalLife Posts: 51 Member
    heelie1996 wrote: »
    you are really pretty!
    best of luck to you, so sorry anyone bullied you for your weight, people can be cruel.
    what is your goal weight?

    You're so sweet, @hellie - thank you. Yeah, it's hard. I've had some really nasty things that have been said to me. I think because some people assume that if you're overweight you have no self esteem. Not here! My goal weight (right now) is 210lbs at 6ft. We will see if that changes!
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