From 439 to 255 (And Still Shrinking)

ange · October 7th, 2009, 09:58 AM

Hi everyone,

I have struggled with being overweight since childhood. My weight only got higher over the years, finally reaching a high of 439 lbs. In less than 1 year, I have lost more than 180 lbs. I had never tried previously to lose weight, and would not have thought before that it is actually very attainable. I have been inspired by reading others' diaries on the forum, as well as seeing others' amazing before and after pictures that showed me how possible this really is, so thanks to all of you. I finally decided to post some pictures of my own. The first is at 360 lbs. The second is a few years later at 400 lbs. I do not have one at my highest weight, as I tended to avoid cameras. Then there is one recently at 255 lbs. I weighed 275 lbs when I graduated high school, so this is the lowest weight I have been since junior high. I have more weight to lose, but it seems very doable. I will call these befores and in-between, and I look forward to posting more pics in the future.

ChefAshley · October 7th, 2009, 10:28 AM

Congrats!! Your lookin great!! What have you been doing to lose the weight if I may ask?

mjnorrad · October 7th, 2009, 10:41 AM

Oh my GOSH!! You have done an amazing job! I have no doubt that you will succeed with results like that....WAY TO GO!!!!!!!

ltbustle · October 7th, 2009, 04:27 PM

WOOOOOOW!!! you look fabulous!! and you carry your 255 lbs well! i am also interested in what you've been doing... obviously diet and exercise, but what is your routine? way to go!!

MDM_ · October 7th, 2009, 04:49 PM

Absolutely amazing! Incredible progress.

dilynnlew · October 7th, 2009, 05:21 PM

Wow! Way to go girl!!! Keep up the good work! You are looking so much better and I can imagine how much better you are feeling! Great job!!!! Keep us posted on your progress.
Di

workingtobethin · October 7th, 2009, 06:02 PM

All I can say is WOW. You look amazing. You have inspired me and you look fabulous at 255! Good luck with the rest, but I'll keep an eye out for those GOAL pics! Keep it up!

blaze999 · October 7th, 2009, 07:51 PM

OMG you are such an inspiration, if you share your diet and exercise it is much appreciated

foncused · October 7th, 2009, 09:39 PM

What a fantastic job you are doing! You must be so proud of yourself!! YOU GO GIRL!!

jeffisbig · October 7th, 2009, 09:53 PM

good for you, thats a pretty amazing job

ange · October 7th, 2009, 11:35 PM

Thank you all for the comments.

As for carrying the weight, I am 5'11", so that helps!

As for what I am doing to lose the weight... well simply eating less, eating healthier foods, and moving more. Since the beginning, I changed the way I look at food. I now eat to live instead of live to eat. So I structured my meals, planning ahead meals and snacks for the day (usually 3 meals, 2-3 snacks). I measure and weigh foods, sticking to proper portion sizes. I no longer consume liquid calories, and have cut out junk foods (i.e. chips). I cook all of my meals, whereas before, I ate out quite a bit. I eat lots of vegetables (in soups, in salads, steamed), and when I eat fruit, it is usually a type of berry. For protein, I eat chicken and fish (baked), tuna, nonfat or low fat cottage cheese, beans, yogurt, and egg whites, and other sources of fat being nuts, avocados, etc. I eat oatmeal everyday for breakfast, and only whole grain breads/pastas (and in lower quantities than before).

As for exercise... When I first started this new lifestyle, I walked, eventhough I would tire easily. Before I knew it, I was going further and for longer periods. I started to mix intervals of jogging and walking. I now jog for a minimum of 30 minutes at a time 4-5 days a week. I also have a piece of fitness equipment that I use at home if I don't go for a run, as well as things like situps, lunges, squats, etc. I should probably be doing more in terms of resistance, weights, etc, but this is new territory for me.

When the weight first started to fall off, and I realized how possible this process is, I was stuck wondering how I let myself get to that lowest point at my highest weight, wondering, "If only I had done this sooner..." But I now realize that what matters is that I am doing it now. I have made changes that I will continue to follow for life, even when I get to that certain weight. I know that I never ever want to go back to where I was.

jeffisbig · October 7th, 2009, 11:55 PM

Yea, its easy to look back and wonder, but you have to keep in mind that you didn't have the knowledge then that you have now. You are 100% right about what is important is the now. Keep it up.