My Story and Partial Progress with Pictures

I've never posted photos of my fat for everyone to see before. And I am quite nervous, but here goes. If it helps just one person to see they can do it too, then I'll be happy. I believe that you're never too old or too fat to change.

A little history...
I just turned 55 a little over a week ago. I have been thin most of my life. My health started to decline a few years ago. Asthma, combined with Arthritis in my lower back made being mobile more and more difficult. The pounds just started piling up. I went from being very in-shape and athletic, to being ashamed of my weight. It did not happen overnight, it took 3 or 4 years. This is my first attempt to shed the weight and get my health back.

I have always been a very picky eater. In fact, most of my life, I survived on one meal a day. It just was never very important to me, other than keeping me alive. I was never an emotional eater, comfort eater, binge eater. I was a non-eater! lol I was very active and I guess that is how I managed to stay small for so many years. Once I couldn't be active anymore, it wreacked havoc on my body and everything I ate, turned to fat! I know that now. I changed nothing except I could no longer do the things I did before. I went from 128 pounds in 2008 to 247 pounds by February of 2012!

Eating! So far, I have lost 38 pounds. How? I started eating! That boggled my mind. I had to start slowly, it was all I could do to choke down 700 calories a day, unless it was junk. I stopped drinking sweet iced tea and started drinking water, which I hated. I like it now and drink at least 10 glasses a day. I started reading labels and not cooking crap. I cook fresh, lean, delicious foods for my family. It really makes a difference. Without changing a single other thing about their lifestyles, my 19 year old son has lost 16 pounds and my husband has lost 8 pounds! I'm still working on getting my calories higher, I am up to 1350 a day, eating at least 1200 regularly.

Moving! I started moving my body! On February 24, 2012, I started walking on a home exercise machine. I couldn't last two minutes. I was gasping for air and in horrible pain. I thought I had bitten off much more than I could chew. I was determined to do better. So, every time I felt I had the energy to walk, I walked. That two minutes turned into 7 minutes, then 10 minutes and before I knew it, I could walk 30 minutes without dying! Or crying! Now, I regularly walk 30 minutes and 60 minutes without trouble. On May 15th, I actually pushed myself and walked 90 minutes! Ok, that almost killed me! haha Now, I walk at least 5 miles a day and sometimes 8-10. I also use Stability Balls and Kettlebells. I love Kettlebells, they make me feel stronger!

One of the more satisfying things about this, to me at least...I am standing taller. I was hunched over in pain for quite a long time. I had always been 5' 8", I was under 5' 6" the last time I was measured by a doctor. I am back up over 5' 7" and I'm hoping I'll gain my other inch back as I stand even taller. My breathing is so much improved, I barely ever get to the point of gasping for air. In fact, I can't recall the last time. I still deal with some pain in my lower back, but compared to what it was before, it is almost non-existant!

I guess I have rambled on long enough. I just really want people to realize that you can do anything you set your mind to do. I was so full of self pity and self loathing, I just figured I should give up. My life was surely over anyway, at least the good part. I couldn't have been more wrong. With the will, determination and work, we can do it. Don't give up on yourself. I almost did and I cannot even imagine where I would be now, if I hadn't started changing my life three short months ago. I have a long way left to go, but I know I'll make it. Because, I want it!

A few photos...
This is me this morning, wearing a pair of my old favorite workout pants. It had been quite some time since I had them on.


The photo on the left was two weeks after starting my new life, on 3/9/12. The photo on the right is 3 1/2 weeks later, on 4/2/12. I was sucking my stomach in with all I had in those photos. I though it would look smaller, it didn't. I still can't believe how big my belly was.


The left photo was two weeks after starting to work out, using a stability ball and doing kettlebell workouts with Gin Miller, I love her! It was taken on 4/16/12. The photo on the right was taken this morning, 5/22/12, a few minutes after I realized I could wear my pants again. Of course, they were much looser when I used to wear them. But, I'm just happy to see them fit again. This is also after a month of really getting serious about walking. I seriously cannot get over how it is changing my butt! lol


I really want to thank so many people on MFP. My friends really go without saying. They know how much I love them and that I could never do this without their love and support. But, also to so many here that I have not ever met or spoken to. I read so much of the things some of you write and I really pay attention. Some of you know so much and are so helpful. I learn so much from y'all. What a wonderful place this is!