The Changes I've Seen so Far...

(really long, sorry, just skip to the bottom if you like)

I got fat slowly but I knew! It crept on bit by bit, at first, but I knew the whole time, I knew I was packing on the pounds. I have very low self esteem, and I was in a very ugly time of my life. I think I ate to make myself feel better, but then I was embarrassed of my body so I wouldn't go out, which made me feel worse, and so I ate more. I guess it's a classic.

So it took me around 6 years to go from 57 kg (125 lb) to around (I never got on the scale so I don't know for sure) 82-85 kg (180-185 lb).

The turning point came this year, and thank goodness it came. I almost refused to leave the house, if not for food shopping or necessary chores and never alone. I would not go out for dinner, I would not go on holiday, I abandoned my friends as the more I saw them, looking pretty, the more I detested myself. Well you get the point.

I don't know how my boyfriend put up with me. The worst part is, I think, it was kind of contagious, the bigger I got (after a while) the bigger he got too. Or maybe he on some level understood my pain, but not knowing how to pull me out of my funk (and not for lack of trying) went with the mentality: "if you can't beat them join them".

Anyhoo... the turning point. My boyfriend asked me to marry him. I think I finally felt wanted. Which makes no sense, he loved me, we have been together for almost 11 years. But some how, him asking me to marry him, to me meant: "I love you and want to be with you always, even in the eyes of the law, our family, the world." I think it made me feel beautiful for the first time in a long, long time.

And finally I started leaving the house, on my own and not only for absolutely necessary things. But the weight loss didn't really start until I saw a movie. I don't remember what move it was but a line from it haunted me, it was along the lines of this. "It's the day every girl dreams of, well not all girls, fat girls fear the day they have to get married."

In the beginning I just walked. I didn't really diet, we just went for walks, two-four times a week. The walking went on for a good time and slowly I started to watch what I was eating and I found the show The Biggest Loser. I downloaded them all, the US, UK and Australian versions. Every time I needed motivation I watched it. After a while we joined a gym and now we go around 4 to 6 times a week.

In total I'm down 16-18 kg (not knowing my real starting weight I can only estimate, 35-39 lb). 10 kg of which I have lost while being here on CC. CC has helped me no end, in all truth I don't think I could have come this far without CC.

The changes I have seen:
-I no longer have the flaps of fat on my back, under my arms (I hated them!!!)
-I was crossing the street and had to pass between motorbikes, that where parked and didn't have to turn sideways.
-I can stand up on a bar-stool in a flash, to get something down from a high cupboard, something I didn't even hazard a months ago.
-I can see my hip bones a bit, goodness I missed them.
-The first time I ran for 10 minutes on the treadmill I felt INVINCIBLE.
-I have crazy energy, I send my boyfriend nutty with all the organizing, cleaning, cooking healthy snacks and what have you.
-When the dentist's assistant called me into the doctors office, not because the dentist was ready to see me, but because she wanted to know how I had lost the weight.
-On a Sunday after many big meals out, we went for our old walk around the block. We had to do it twice as we didn't even work up a sweat the first time round.
-I feel I can wear pretty shoes and I painted my toenails.
-I started buying summer dresses.
-I went to the swimming pool, went semi naked in public without dyeing (sp?) or wanting to have the earth swallow me whole.
-I love spinach, who knew???
-My bottom fits in a chair, in the sense it no longer extends farther out on the sides.
-I feel better, I mean really better!!! I needed this so much for me, myself and I.

What have been your changes?

Great post, thanks!

I've lost 96 lbs. now, and along the way have also lost:

* My fear of plastic patio chairs

* My high blood pressure

* ALL of my medications

* My insistence on driving somewhere instead of flying there

* Plantar fascitis

* My 8:30 bedtime!

* Two of my chins!

Compliments on the 96 lbs, goodness you only have 4 lbs until a HUGE mile stone!!!

"* Two of my chins!" Hihihi I so know what you mean.

Oh I forgot a few changes I have seen:

-My tummy no longer rests on my legs, when I sit. Well every now and then it does if I drink lots and lots of water.

-My ankle which I hurt a few years ago and never stopped giving me grief. No longer hurts after every time I walk, dance, anything. I feel free.

-I have lost the waddle and the X legs.