Do you have a picture? (motivational post)

[ZerasPride]

This evening my sister and I were at a department store because I had to exchange some underthings for a smaller size which is always good news. Anyway, she told me how happy I seem since I've lost weight and that made me smile. She said she had something for me and that she didn't want me to cry.

She gave me a picture of myself taken 2 years ago at one of my other sister's baby showers. I did have to fight back the tears. I looked so uncomfortable and absolutely huge! I know pics don't lie so I have to accept that is the way I truly looked. My dear sis said I should keep the picture as a reminder of where I was and will never be again and to encourage me if I ever think of giving up. That was so sweet of her. I can't believe how unhappy, fat and uncomfortable I looked in that picture and it now has a place on my dressing mirror as a visual reminder. I don't ever want to be that person again.

Do you have such a reminder to help you on your journey to remind you of where you were and are never going back? I'd love to hear your story.

 

[Baileymouse]

Oh, I have tons! Pardon the pun....I have been severely overweight since my son was born in 1985. I was a young Mom (just 20) and whereas I had been a chubby teen, I was a downright huge adult. My college graduation pictures, my son's birthdays, various family functions - the weight goes up and down but in all of them I'm big and I'm miserable. No matter how hard I tried to diet before an event - a wedding, a big vacation - I see those pictures now and I cringe.

I have 40-50 lbs. to go to get back down to my hs weight, and I am really hoping I'll be able to do it. Bring on the nicer weather so I can get outside and truly move!!!!

 

[kayeandjim00]

What a great thread! This is so appropriate for me as just last week my husband was going through our pictures from our Disney trip last May and the transformation in us is truly shocking. Since that trip my husband has lost 110 lbs and I have lost 52. He pulled out one of me at Burger Digs at Islands of Adventure and said "Tell me you don't see a difference in this person and the one you are now." I'm a typical woman who sometimes looks in the mirror and can't see the difference in me then and now. Most days I can acknowledge the change and get so excited when I realized I truly am SMALLER than I used to be. Looking at that picture I totally can't believe it's me! When did I look like that? No wonder I was uncomfortable, I was so overweight. I hated every picture from that trip, every second of the video, you name it. I didn't want to face the truth - that I had let things get out of control. I carry that picture in my purse now -a constant reminder that I don't want to be that girl again - and more importantly that I'm NOT!! Great thread Lisa!

 

[Debbie]

Since I don't usually get in front of the camera, I don't have a lot of pics to gaze upon. However, in January (?) my teenage daughter brought me one that she had taken a couple of years ago. Along with her words of praise, that went a long "weigh" to make me realize that, yes, these people that I live with actually noticed.

I personally am aware of my change everytime I run up the stairs!

 

[Robinrs]

I don't have lots of pics either but I Barry Hom sent me a DVD of a DIS meet and I was just APPALLED!! He took pictures that I didn't pose for and I just looked at them and wanted to cry.

The wonderful part is my son saw my face and said, "Hey Mom, you don't look like that anymore!" Made my day!

 

[mowsie dreamer]

What a wonderful sister you have, Lisa! I had tears in my eyes as I read your story!!

I'm sure that I have many pictures that will "tell the tale", I haven't looked back at them yet. Now that I've read your post, I think I will choose one to keep out as an every day visual reminder that I am never going back!!

I do have a pair of jeans from when I started WISH that I am keeping to remind myself. I finally stopped wearing them when I could pull them down without unzipping them. I get them out and look at them every now and then and think Never Again!!

 

[JCJRSmith]

Yep - I call it my "FAT MAN" picture. It was taken about a year ago when we had our annual neighborhood Halloween party. We had a chili contest, and I have a picture taken of me eating chili. It was taken in profile, so my gut is WAAAAYYYY out there. I will never be that guy again. Ever.