Sunday, April 28, 2013

WHAT 50 LBS. GONE LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE!

Since I just reached my 50 lbs. lost mark, I thought this would be a good time to reflect on what has changed.  50 lbs. is a lot of weight!  When you have as much weight to lose as I do, though, 50 lbs. lost doesn't quite look the same as it does on someone else.   BUT, there are changes happening, physically, mentally AND spiritually...and they are big and worth talking about!!!

First off, here is my before and after.  I never took a picture of me when I was at 430 lbs.  Something I am SURE I will live to regret.  BUT, I have one of me at 419 lbs. and I suppose that a 40 lbs. comparison will just have to do today!



Now, I prefer a before and after picture to be taken in the same place, same basic pose, etc.  But I don't have that luxury here, so I will have to survive (and yes, I posed for my after using Hollywood red carpet techniques...one leg behind, hands on waist, fingers turned foward!!!).  I'm not sure if I see a big difference here, but I definitely see SOME difference and it's awesome to know I'm making progress.

So, what are some other things that have changed with 50 lbs. gone:
  • Endurance.  When I am doing something physical, I am certainly not tiring out as fast as I did at 430 lbs.  I'm not saying that I could go out an run a marathon, but I can hike for 3 hours, and I can walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes or longer without wanting to die.  I call that progress, for sure.
  • This sounds weird, but shaving is SO much easier with 50 lbs. gone.  Under my arms I don't have so many bulges to maneuver around and when I bend over to shave my legs I don't feel like the blood circulation has been cut off and I'm going to pass out.  TMI?  Maybe, but it's true!
  • I have a pair of jeans that at 430 lbs. there was NO prayer of wearing and surviving the day.  Now, at 378.8 lbs. I can wear those things AND they are VERY VERY baggy.  
  • I no longer eat until I feel like I am going to burst.  Before I would honestly binge until I would make myself feel sick and lethargic for the rest of the day/night!  There were even times I vomitted because I had eaten too much (it makes me sad to share that, it really does...**sigh**).  The amount of food I  now consume leaves me feeling HAPPILY satisfied...and honestly, the amount of food it takes to make me feel REALLY full is so much less than when I was at 430 lbs. it is shocking!
  • I haven't eaten at a fast food restaurant, except Subway, in 3 months...and man, let me tell you, real food tastes SO good now.  Gone are the cravings to eat at McDonald's, Carl's Jr., Taco Time...in fact, just typing that makes my stomach turn a little knowing there was a time in the not too distant past when I could eat fast food meals 3 x's a day, multiple days during the week!
  • My skin loves me!  I'm sure it is due to all the water I am drinking...but, yeah, my skin is REALLY behaving itself, and man do I love that!
  • I can buckle the seat belt in my husband's car without it choking me and leaving me immobilized.  In fact, I can move around quite nicely now!  I even agreed to drive his car the other day and let him take mine!  Something I would have NEVER agreed to at 430 lbs.
  • I got on our trampoline the other day...yes, yes, I'm still over the recommended weight limit, but hell, I thought I'd try anyway.  I got on, stood up, bounced about, played with my girls!  YOU GUYS, I haven't been on a trampoline in so many years!! Now, I wasn't out there doing flips or herkees, but hey, it is progress, right!
  • I now REALLY want to get healthy, and it actually feels possible!  That is probably the biggest difference!  Feeling like this could truly happen...that I COULD reach my goal weight.  Making choices that allow me to get closer and closer to that goal seem FAR easier than they did at 430 lbs.  Honestly, at 430 lbs. I just didn't feel like there was any chance I could ever do it.  I'd failed so often, and it didn't even feel worth it to try.
  • I'm loving life more and more.  Now, don't get me wrong...I wasn't one of those stereotyped obese people laying in a bed waiting for Richard Simmons to pop through the door and extricate me with a whale crane...no, I lived life - I cooked (sometimes), cleaned, worked, went out with friends, mowed my lawn, weeded my yard, spent quality time with my family...I was happy in general...but it all felt SO DAMN HARD.  Now, I'm not saying that those things are easy breezy today, but it is much easier to have a good attitude and do what needs to be done...and it feels so much less difficult than it did 50 lbs. ago!
There are some other changes that I could elaborate on, but really, they do fall into the realm of privacy and TMI...all I will say is that my husband and I are really enjoying our slimmer bodies and are smiling a whole lot more these days!!!  Read into that whatever you want!

When I think about all of these changes that have happened in just 3 months, I wonder WHY I ever waited.  I wonder WHY I ever lost and regained!  But most of all, I think...HOLY HELL!  What will I feel like in 3 more months!!!  I can't wait to find out!

50 down, 215 lbs. to go!  So here's to the next 3 months and another 50 lbs.!  

Oh yeah baby, on my way!

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32 comments:

  1. Congrats on the milestone! That is fabulous--ad I really can see a difference in the pictures!

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    1. Thanks Melinda! I just realized today that in 50 more lbs. it will be 100 total! Man, that was a big moment for me!

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  2. You look awesome Connie! So happy for you! Keep it up girl. You're withering away;)

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    1. Thanks Leigh! Now if I could just get this darn exercise thing down! I am stubborn and am resisting it!

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  3. Hi Connie! This is the most exciting inspired post I've read in quite a while--from anybody. I am absolutely thrilled for you! OMG-yay! Look at that very much(!) smaller waistline! Very much less tummy lump! Slimmer face. Sharper shoulders. And a lot more confidence on your face. The difference is quite obvious.

    Keep going on this wonderful downward trend. Keep believing that you can take off your pounds by up to 3 or 4 pounds at a time (as you explained in that one post). Hang out on blogs with people who are being successful with their weight and really try to absorb what's being said--so that you *belong* more and more to the slim people group! The mental belonging is important. You are definitely doing this!

    :-) Marion

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    1. Marion, I have to tell you, your comment means a lot! I know that you aren't one to say something you don't mean...and honestly, I wouldn't want you to!! I love the weight loss blogging community and the people I meet!! Honestly, you all keep me going!! Your stories motivate me every single day!!!!

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  4. LOOK AT YOU!!! Incredibly inspiring photos, and amazing NSVs to go with 'em! You're doing fantastically - reasonable goals, achieved through hard work and dedication. Keep it up!

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    1. Thanks Mary! You know, I never realized that all of these changes that I am noticing are NSV's!!! You know what, although I do like positive scale feedback, I am so much happier with the NSV's! I hope you are feeling well! Can't wait for you to meet your little one!!!

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  5. Woohoo, Connie! Way to rock it, girl! Keep up the great work, you're looking fabulous!!!!!!

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    1. Thank you so much! I am looking forward to being able to run a half marathon one day in the not too distant future (I'm hopeful...sure, I can't even run a 5k yet, but HEY! DETAILS)! Your blog has me inspired!!! Can't wait to follow your progress! Marathon next month??

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  6. Congrats on the weight loss!! That list was a great idea and very motivating!!
    Thanks!

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    1. Thanks Tara! I have to tell you, I know your greek yogurt and chili powder dip was a weak moment for you...man that sounds good! I'm going to have to give it a try!!

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  7. you look amazing! congratulations and way to go!

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  8. I really appreciate and enjoy your honesty about the changes you have notice! You are so right that all of it is an indicator of PROGRESS! Good for you and all you have accomplished so far. I firmly believe in making small changes at a time and letting them add up - it will just make it easier and easier to become healthier. Congratulations on your accomplishment so far!

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    1. I have tried and failed so many times in the past, I knew it had to be different this time...and what is different is making small, sustainable changes vs. big, overwhelming changes. Also, over time as we become healthier I think we naturally make better choices. ANYWAY...I'm rambling. Thanks for your support! I SO appreciate it!

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  9. I found a link for your blog on Runs for Cookies and I just started following on GFC. This is a huge milestone and maybe you can't see it, but there is a huge difference between your before and after shots! Your face looks thinner, your waist is more defined, and most importantly, you look more confident! Congratulations and I look forward to reading about your journey!

    Ashley @ http://downsizingashley.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks Ashley! I really appreciate your sweet comments! One thing that can be discouraging for me is struggling to see the weight loss...maybe that is something that everyone who is losing weight struggles with??? I can't wait too get caught up on your blog!!!

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  10. I just found your blog via RunsForCookies. Congratulations on your progress. You are gorgeous, anyway, but your list of changes in the way you feel is what's truely motivating. I'm on a long journy to lose over 150 pounds and will be following your progress for inspiration.

    Thank you and good luck.

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    1. These long journeys can be rough...right??!! BUT, I know that we can do it! Honestly, I blinked and 3 months had passed and I had lost 50 lbs.! Can't wait to follow your progress!!!

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  11. Hi! I read about you on RunsFor Cookies. Loved your blog. I started my journey January 2012 at 314lbs. I'm currently 217lbs. I hit a wall Oct -March but i'm back on track now and feeling great. Keep up the great work and i'll be rooting you on from behind the screen!
    Joy jjtincher1021@aol.com

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    1. Thanks so much Joy! I am so impressed with your weight loss! WAY TO GO! I can't wait to hear about your progress!!

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  12. Fifty pounds is awesome! When I hit that milestone I remember thinking that I really could lose the weight, just had to keep doing what I was doing.
    I hated exercise, and still don't love it. I lost the weight with just walking. Slowly and not very far at first, but kept increasing my pace as I got smaller. Now I run, because it makes me so happy that I can! Don't overwhelm yourself with exercise that is too hard or that you hate. Do something you don't mind doing, something you can stick to.
    I'm looking forward to watching your progress! So glad Katie at runsforcookies featured you.

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    1. Sandi, so glad you found the blog! I still have such a long way to go, but getting this far has made a huge difference in how I am thinking about the rest of the journey. I really think I can do it this time!!

      I REALLY want to be able to run, but I am going to accept that right now it just isn't possible. I need to do what I can, and right now that's walking!

      Your weight loss is awesome! Congrats on the 5K!!! What an accomplishment!

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  13. I just got a google acct so I could comment on ur blog! Read almost the whole thing. I love it. Please keeeep posting. U have gotten me few the last few days of my own journey. So thank u

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  14. Awesome to lose 50 lbs! You look amazing, not that you didnt look great before! I just found your blog through Runs for Cookies and I can so relate to you. I was 401 lbs and now I am at 40 lbs lost and it feels so much better for me too. If you want you can check out my brand new blog at http://reducingrachel.com.

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  15. Congrats on your successes! Love that you are eating real foods. Glad that you celebrate all the positives. Great for keeping momentum going. :) Karen P

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  16. Congrats on the success...and way to recognize the non-scale things too! Personally, I think changes like your list are more motivating than anything. Your progress is awesome!

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  17. Wow! What a difference! Keep up the good work!

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  18. You look fantastic!! I'm so happy reading your post. I have just lost almost 40 lbs. Reading about your success makes me feel even more motivated.

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  19. You look fantastic!! I'm so happy reading your post. I have just lost almost 40 lbs. Reading about your success makes me feel even more motivated.

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