Where Are The Pictures???

[kaf7878]

Here's mine! I am still a work in progress though!

Here's me in 2001

And today

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

And today

WOW!! YOU LOOK AMAZING!!!!

How much have you lost so far? Are you following any particular plan? What about all my nosy questions on page 1 of this thread?

Thanks for posting.

YOU look MAHvalous Darlin!

 

[HockeyKat]

You all look great!!!


Here is a pic... before was at about 210, after at about 170. I still have about 20 to go, and I started at 218 (I am 5'8" and 32 yrs old). The best things about weight loss are the extra energy, esp at WDW. My motivation is to look and feel better. My plan is a pure calorie counting one... I average about 1200 calories a day, w/ a cheat night every 2-3 weeks, and workout 3-5 times a week including 2 nights of ice hockey.

It has taken me since Feb 2007 to lose 52 lbs, but I basically maintained from Sept-Jan due to the holidays and 3 WDW trips.

 

[kaf7878]

Oops, forgot to answer all those questions!

1. How has your weight loss (so far) affected your life?
I am more confident for sure. Plus I have been able to achieve goals I wouldn't have attempted before (like running a marathon).

2. How have you managed to stay motivated?
Ha! Unfortunately I haven't! I still need to lose like 30 lbs and haven't lost any more weight (actually gained back 10 lbs ). I think you have to really be 100% dedicated to it. For me, I love food and that's a problem. Like any other "dieter", you have your ups and downs. I am in a motivated phase right now and have recommitted to my eating plan. Finding interesting and easy recipes helps too.

3. If you choose to share, HOW have you achieved your success?
I followed WW--at the time I went to meetings but now I just do it at home (without much success though). Plus I exercise a lot. Though I don't think exercise equals weight loss, it does tone you up and help your body to look somewhat normal as you loase a bunch of weight. Plus it is good for your overall health.

4. If you choose to share, what is your current loss to date?
I've lost 70 lbs to date and would like to lose 30 more.

 

[Evita_W]

Kelly and Kat those are wonderful pictures!!

Ms. H you are so great!! Thanks for helping me!

This week starts my new swimming class. I have been in one for the last 10 weeks working up a routine. I started doing only 2x a week and 30 min each time. By the end of the class I was keeping up to the class goal of 3x a week 60 min each time. (I take it through the college I am attending) But, starting tomorrow I go to 4x a week and 90 min a class. I am ready for it! Hopefully this with my goal for weight loss before our WDW trip I can finally get somewhere. Will I ever get there??? I want to!

By the way, I am changing up my goal a little. I have been hearing alot lately about taking off 10% will help you. And so I thought that might be more of a goal to stick to. (My 10% = 42 pounds) I know that is not too much less than the 50 I said, but it feels better to say.

Ok, I hope I did not waste too much space. GREAT JOB everyone! Keep up the great work. Thanks everyone for your wonderful support!

P.S. I am really bad at choosing "non food" rewards for small goals. Can you help me anyone?

 

[kaf7878]

evita, the 10% is a WW thing and I agree, it makes a big difference but 42 lbs is still a lot to focus on--have you thought about 5 or even 10 pound goals. I usually reward myself with something small every 5 pounds. For me, the lower amounts keep me motivated because I am regularly achieving goals. Here are some examples of non-food rewards:

-a new magazine
-manicure or pedicure
-pretty sandals
-a new shirt in a smaller size
-makeup/perfume/lotion that is yummy smelling
-a cool journal to write in
-a new workout dvd
-a fresh haircut to show the new/improved you

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

evita, the 10% is a WW thing and I agree, it makes a big difference but 42 lbs is still a lot to focus on--have you thought about 5 or even 10 pound goals. I usually reward myself with something small every 5 pounds. For me, the lower amounts keep me motivated because I am regularly achieving goals. Here are some examples of non-food rewards:

-a new magazine
-manicure or pedicure
-pretty sandals
-a new shirt in a smaller size
-makeup/perfume/lotion that is yummy smelling
-a cool journal to write in
-a new workout dvd
-a fresh haircut to show the new/improved you

Great suggestions!!

I also suggest:

some weird fruit you'd never buy or a favorite one that's really expensive (yes its a food item, but "baby steps!")
Disney Dollars!!
Something FOR my upcoming vacation (a new bag, sunscreen, etc..)
Bubble bath
a Hookey day from work (i don't do these often....)l



Everytime I lose 10 lbs, I go thru my closet & get rid of things that don't fit anymore... Then buy 1 or 2 things to replace them.

It's so much fun to say "oh, I need a new _____ because mine's too big now!"

 

[HockeyKat]

Kelly and Kat those are wonderful pictures!!

Ms. H you are so great!! Thanks for helping me!

This week starts my new swimming class. I have been in one for the last 10 weeks working up a routine. I started doing only 2x a week and 30 min each time. By the end of the class I was keeping up to the class goal of 3x a week 60 min each time. (I take it through the college I am attending) But, starting tomorrow I go to 4x a week and 90 min a class. I am ready for it! Hopefully this with my goal for weight loss before our WDW trip I can finally get somewhere. Will I ever get there??? I want to!

By the way, I am changing up my goal a little. I have been hearing alot lately about taking off 10% will help you. And so I thought that might be more of a goal to stick to. (My 10% = 42 pounds) I know that is not too much less than the 50 I said, but it feels better to say.

Ok, I hope I did not waste too much space. GREAT JOB everyone! Keep up the great work. Thanks everyone for your wonderful support!

P.S. I am really bad at choosing "non food" rewards for small goals. Can you help me anyone?

Swimming is great exercise!! Plus it is low impact. I have to do low-impact exercise due to rheumatoid arthritis damage (I had it as kid and was lucky enough to go into perm. remission). I either do elliptical or arc trainer, or ice hockey, which although it doesn't sound low impact, it actually is.

I found when I started exercising in Feb 07, I could barely do 2x a week too. Now I am up to 5-6 days a week.

I do both food and non-food rewards. Because my plan is so strict (1100-1200 a day), I do allow myself a cheat night about once every 2-3 weeks. Vacation is free time, even though this last one set me back a month, I see this as a process and if it comes off more slowly, well, it does. I like the lists of non-food rewards that Mrs H and Kaf have come up with, I use some of those as well.

 

[MagicalMom]

This is the picture that made me ill. It was taken at the Smithsonian in April 2007. I weighted 189 and wore a tight 14. I'm sure I could of probably wore a 16 but preferred to muffin top my clothes, it was less painful than clothes shopping. I'm 5'3".

This is me a couple of weeks ago on a cruise. I weigh 145 and a size 8.

Here's a couple extra pictures, jutst because I no longer hide from the camera.

This has been the most life changing adventure. The biggest change is the way people treat me. I used to feel like people avoided looking at me because I was so gross. Now I am flirted with, people (even strangers) go out of their way to talk to me. People ask my advice on clothing in the stores all the time, the didn't even ackowledge me before. People even treat me like I'm smarter. I know that doesn't make sense, but people really do treat you different when you lose weight. Even my own children.

 

[NCRedding]

You all ahve so much to be proud of! Thanks for posting the pics. I've lost 27 pounds, and feel so much better, but it just isn't showing in pics yet. Hopefully, I'll soon have something to post.

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

You all look great!!!


Here is a pic... before was at about 210, after at about 170. I still have about 20 to go, and I started at 218 (I am 5'8" and 32 yrs old). The best things about weight loss are the extra energy, esp at WDW. My motivation is to look and feel better. My plan is a pure calorie counting one... I average about 1200 calories a day, w/ a cheat night every 2-3 weeks, and workout 3-5 times a week including 2 nights of ice hockey.

It has taken me since Feb 2007 to lose 52 lbs, but I basically maintained from Sept-Jan due to the holidays and 3 WDW trips.

YOu look fantastic.

I am a exercise convert... I used to avoid it at all costs... Not so much anymore!!

I've been cheating on a pretty regular basis, so my loss has slowed somewhat now!

This is the picture that made me ill. It was taken at the Smithsonian in April 2007. I weighted 189 and wore a tight 14. I'm sure I could of probably wore a 16 but preferred to muffin top my clothes, it was less painful than clothes shopping. I'm 5'3".

This has been the most life changing adventure. The biggest change is the way people treat me. I used to feel like people avoided looking at me because I was so gross. Now I am flirted with, people (even strangers) go out of their way to talk to me. People ask my advice on clothing in the stores all the time, the didn't even ackowledge me before. People even treat me like I'm smarter. I know that doesn't make sense, but people really do treat you different when you lose weight. Even my own children.

You are ANOTHER person who looks like a completely different woman. AND YOUNGER!! OMG you look like your younger sister, now!!!

I totally agree about random people speaking to you about whatever... I've had more total strangers speak to me in the last 6 months than I have in the last 6 years.

Keep up the GREAT work!!

You all ahve so much to be proud of! Thanks for posting the pics. I've lost 27 pounds, and feel so much better, but it just isn't showing in pics yet. Hopefully, I'll soon have something to post.

POST NOW!! 27 lbs WILL show. BE PROUD!! We all are!!


Thanks for all the posts!!!

Ms. H

 

[tiggerlover]

Everyone who has posted pictures looks FABULOUS!!!!! Isn't it amazing the changes that occur, body, mind and spirit (and the way others perceive you). Keep up the great work everyone.

Evita, I am glad to hear that you have modified your goal, I think you will feel better about it in the long run. You ask if you ever will get there, you sure will, all you need is the desire to succeed and a lot of hard work and you will be a success. Swimming is great for losing weight, my WW leader lost 100 pounds and she did it all in the swimming pool!!!

 

[kaf7878]

MagicalMom--WOW!!! You absolutely look 20 years younger. Amazing!

 

[MagicalMom]

MagicalMom--WOW!!! You absolutely look 20 years younger. Amazing!

Thank you so much! You look great too!

 

[Evita_W]

Thank you everyone for the "non-food" reward ideas. I will make sure to reward myself correctly.

Tomorrow is reward day!! That is what I am calling Friday from now on. Reason being is because I set my goals on Sundays, and then I track them all week long and reward on Friday or Saturday. Does that sound OK?

Well, I have not been perfect...(and i know that will come someday) but I want to reward myself for drinking ALL my water this week. I made it a goal to drink at least 2L of water everyday. (8 glasses) And i have...

There are some other goals i set but I do not believe I was good enough to reward myself. I will keep working on those and NOT give up.

Thank you everyone for being supportive! Have a nice weekend!

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

Thank you everyone for the "non-food" reward ideas. I will make sure to reward myself correctly.

Tomorrow is reward day!! That is what I am calling Friday from now on. Reason being is because I set my goals on Sundays, and then I track them all week long and reward on Friday or Saturday. Does that sound OK?

Well, I have not been perfect...(and i know that will come someday) but I want to reward myself for drinking ALL my water this week. I made it a goal to drink at least 2L of water everyday. (8 glasses) And i have...

There are some other goals i set but I do not believe I was good enough to reward myself. I will keep working on those and NOT give up.

Thank you everyone for being supportive! Have a nice weekend!

So what did you decide for your reward???

You DON'T have to be perfect... Just better!!!

Small goals are the way to get there. Focus on one at a time. Like water. Did you make your goals this week?

If you start getting used to drinking your water, start with a new goal. Like your swimming class... Did you go 3 or more times?? =REWARD!!!

Good luck Evita!

Ms. H

 

[KERdad06]

I think this is a great thread, and thought I'd jump in. While looking for a couple of pictures, I realized I don't have many "afters" for some reason. These are the best ones I could find. I did find a before of myself from our Disney trip in 2006, when we went to Cocoa Beach for a day, but I didn't want to offend anyone, or confuse you by thinking I was a beached whale!

Here are a couple before pics:
Trying the legendary Dole Whip

With the Family at Magic Kingdom (the sun was too bright for our then 3 year old)

And the after:
Teaching our 5 year old to ride a bike without training wheels

I started at 236.5 pounds, and have lost 69.5 pounds since April 2007. So that makes me 167 pounds now. My goal weight was 170, and I hit that about a one year after starting my new healthier lifestyle. I did it by eating better and exercising, mostly treadmill or walking. We also bought an eliptical about 4 months ago, so I do mix it up. I also try to do some sit ups every day, and some resistance with cords I have too, but I just started that about a month ago. It's funny, now that I lost this weight, I wish I could build more muscle, that leads me to think a person is never happy (ok, I am happy, but would be happier if I had bigger muscles). I usually will do 20 minutes of exercise in the morning and then 30 minutes in the evening.

As far as eating, we have really come a long way since a year ago. We check most labels and always will pay more if we can buy an alternative with less fat and calories. This stinks because usually stuff is more expensive when it is better for you, but we decided it is worth it, and so that's what we do.

My wife has also lost 40 pounds, and is really working hard as well to take more off (I will let her post her own info, I dont want to get in trouble ). We try to go for a walk together every night, but will work out on our own if time or weather does not permit. It is a lot easier to keep on track when you are both working on the same thing. We motivate each other to keep active, and also work together to watch what we buy and eat.

I noticed that I am able to lose weight better when I track everything I eat and track the exercise I do daily. I still keep track today, it sure makes you more accountable when you have to write it down. This would be my best advice for anyone struggling. There were many times I skipped eating something (like a cookie, etc), because I did not want to write it down. Try it, it works!

It has been a lot of work, both physically and mentally, and I have total respect for all of you that are also trying to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. Keep in mind, the more you lose, and the more active you get, the more motivated you will become to keep it up. Good luck everyone that is trying to lose, and great job to the previous pics, very impressive!

 

[HockeyKat]

WOW!! You look great!

I would 100% agree with food tracking. I do mine through sparkpeople.com, which is free, and I think it makes a HUGE difference. Not only does it maybe keep that cookie at bay, it also may point out to you where you are miscalculating foods, or under/over-estimating, and even if you are staying nutritionally balanced.

Since I do 1200 calories, I am really careful to be sure that I keep my protein and fiber grams up, and eat as much fruits and veggies as I can. As well as keeping nutrition up, it has the side benefit of keeping you full for longer. I also take a multi-vitamin daily, and drink a minimum of 64 oz of plain water.

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

I did find a before of myself from our Disney trip in 2006, when we went to Cocoa Beach for a day, but I didn't want to offend anyone, or confuse you by thinking I was a beached whale!

...that leads me to think a person is never happy


As far as eating, we have really come a long way since a year ago.

It has been a lot of work, both physically and mentally, and I have total respect for all of you that are also trying to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle.

First off -- You look fantastic.

Beached whale...

I know as I am on this path, I get more unhappy about the way I look almost everyday. I have issues. Anyway... I certainly understand what you mean by never being happy!

I wouldn't even recognize my pantry if I looked at it 18 months ago. It looks totally different! AND our shopping excursions are VERY different. (We spend VERY little time "in the middle" and most of our time and $$ in produce, dairy, and meat...)

I included DH in some of my before pics b/c he has lost about 50 lbs with me. I think he looks great too!!

Congrats to you and DW for all your hard work and dedication. It SHOWS!

 

[KERdad06]

WOW!! You look great!

I would 100% agree with food tracking. I do mine through sparkpeople.com, which is free, and I think it makes a HUGE difference. Not only does it maybe keep that cookie at bay, it also may point out to you where you are miscalculating foods, or under/over-estimating, and even if you are staying nutritionally balanced.

Since I do 1200 calories, I am really careful to be sure that I keep my protein and fiber grams up, and eat as much fruits and veggies as I can. As well as keeping nutrition up, it has the side benefit of keeping you full for longer. I also take a multi-vitamin daily, and drink a minimum of 64 oz of plain water.

Thank you!!

First off -- You look fantastic.

Beached whale...

I know as I am on this path, I get more unhappy about the way I look almost everyday. I have issues. Anyway... I certainly understand what you mean by never being happy!

I wouldn't even recognize my pantry if I looked at it 18 months ago. It looks totally different! AND our shopping excursions are VERY different. (We spend VERY little time "in the middle" and most of our time and $$ in produce, dairy, and meat...)

I included DH in some of my before pics b/c he has lost about 50 lbs with me. I think he looks great too!!

Congrats to you and DW for all your hard work and dedication. It SHOWS!

Your pantry comment reminds me of us. We are the same way, now when you open the pantry, you see rice cakes, wheat pizza crusts, fiber cereals, etc. It used to be WAY different that that!

I thought your husband looked like he had lost quite a bit of weight. That is awesome, it is great to be "losers" together!