It’s hard to see progress in yourself when it happens so slowly, spread out over many days. It’s hard to see how you change your life by choosing one action a day. It’s hard to see how eating something healthy and spending a few minutes exercising is doing anything. But it does. The small things always add up.
Those pictures might not be the best at showing the difference in 40ish pounds, but they aren’t meant to. They show how extra weight makes you hide from the camera (hello puppy blocking technique) instead of being open and excited about taking pictures. They show how all the pictures I had from that period are of me sitting instead of standing or being active. They show how I acted and how I felt then versus how I am now. To me the pictures show a completely different person.
This isn’t my first time losing weight. But it is my last. So the speed, the failures, the mistakes? None of it matters. This time the weight isn’t all coming back. The end goal is what matters and I will reach it. And if you want to, so will you.
Tomorrow I’m headed to Fitbloggin! It’s going to be awesome, but a very long weekend. I’ve got lots of people to stalk meet and see, so I can’t wait for it! If you are going to be there and want to hang out, let me know or just find me!
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Awesome motivation! PS – So jealous, have fun at Fitbloggin! By the time I found out about it the tickets were already sold out. *pouts a little*
Lauren´s last blog ..World’s Fattest Lady…by Choice?
Aw sad! She did have a couple extra tickets this past week but I think they are all gone now. :( Next time!!
You have come so far to be so open and sharing who you are. Enjoy FitBloggin!
Your progress is delightful to see! Have an awesome time this weekend! :)
Julie´s last blog ..An Off Day & Yummy Treats
i can’t wait to see you! and the smile on your face in the second picture says it all. You look (and are!) awesome!
workout mommy´s last blog ..Fit Mommy Jill lands a spot on Dr. Oz!
I’m excited to see you! :)
Photos are so important. They are a record of our journey. And having photos (both good ones and ones we don’t care for too much) are extremely empowering as we continue in our weight loss journal. Thanks for posting these! And KEEP GOING!
awesome.
janetha´s last blog ..the start of something new.
You just look so happy in the second pic! Enjoy fitbloggin :-)
Lauren @ Eater not a runner´s last blog ..veggie queen
Great progress pics.
I love the 2nd quote!
Have a great weekend. So jealous of the stalking.
TB-Milwaukee´s last blog ..I Want to Ride My Bicycle
Haha. Jealous of the stalking? That’s funny. There will be lots of mutual stalking I think.
I see that first pic was back when you were eat a lot of puppy. I told you those things were too high in fat!
Jack Sh*t´s last blog ..Something Amazing!
Really Jack, really??
Yes… and sodium!
Jack Sh*t´s last blog ..Something Amazing!
Sodium?!? High in fat and sodium. Right. I’ll remember not to eat any more puppies.
Have fun at FitBloggin!
Seth@1010in2010´s last blog ..Blogger-Made Home Workout Challenge
You are right! The end result is what matters! And when you lose the weight and people are asking for advice, you can remember back on this time because you’ve been through it. :-)
Ironlady´s last blog ..My inner fat girl…
I like your screenname. :) Ironlady. That’s cool.
LOVE LOVE LOVE it! That is the attitude! You can do this! You will do this!
Like you Mary, I really hid from the camera when I was younger! Hard to find pics of me…. even after I lost the weight, I still saw that person & honestly, I still have work to do in that department!
Good for you & have fun at Fitbloggin. Can’t wait to hear everyone’s thoughts on it!
Thx again!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..No Gym Required! Jamie Oliver Fighting Child Obesity!
I can’t find a single picture from when I was at my highest weight ever. The closest I have is when I graduated and was forced to take pictures. I think the minute I started losing weight and looking even slightly better I started taking a ton of pictures. :)
Go Mary! You are doing great and I’m excited to be along for the ride as you lose weight for the final time! Safe travels!
ernise´s last blog ..17 to go
Thank you for posting these pictures. I am sick of hiding behind my weight and using it as an excuse. You show that you can lose weight while still living life and having fun. I read your post daily but rarely ever comment. I have to say that I love the Mary/Kepa love story!
Hiding behind weight isn’t fun. We might trick ourselves into thinking it’s okay, but it’s really not.
And yes you totally can live a really awesome life and do stuff before losing ALL the weight. :)
Thanks for the comment!
Its great having pictures to look back on, sometimes we don’t notice the difference until then.
Your right about the same things adding up, if most people changed one bad habit per month they’d find losing weight a lot easier to do. The progress might be slow but it would be in the right direction, instead of looking for instant results that never last long term.
Barry´s last blog ..7 Things To Consider Before Joining A Gym
That puppy is adorable…BUT…you’re right, you were definitely more guarded looking than you are now. You look happy and great.
Have fun being a stalker at Fitbloggin’! If I were there I do it too.
Puppies are adorable! I love them!
Sadly all my pictures are like that. I was the queen of hiding under stuff – anything from pillows to puppies. I closed myself off and tried to hide as much of myself as possible even though it didn’t work at all!! I can’t remember the last time I did that… I’m past it and gladly so!
Hehe. The stalking will be fun! :)
You can definitely see a difference. Congrats! I was mostly writing though to say that’s the cutest puppy ever!!!
Thanks! We actually had a whole litter of them. They were pure bred pit bulls… very cute and sweet! :)
I totally got the difference in the pictures without having to read what you said. Puppy block technique is one we all know about!
AndrewENZ´s last blog ..The danger of being comfortable
Yeah, I think most of us know the block technique, whether we used puppies or pillows or kids or something else. It’s a well known effort to hide the fat.
There is a definite physical difference, but you’re right, the biggest difference is how much more active and “out there” you are now. While I like to think that my weight doesn’t stop me from doing anything, after reading this post, I wonder how much more “out there” I’ll be when I lose 40 pounds. How exciting!
Bella´s last blog ..Bloggy Beck Book Club: Success Skills 5-9
It’s amazing how much your weight does hold you back even when you don’t realize it. I think once you lose 40 pounds you will see a difference in how “out there” you are. I bet you will definitely be more active. :) I’m looking forward to hearing about it when you are!!
I totally stayed away from the cameras as well, but this year I decided to finally lose some weight and get back in shape. Now I actually wish I had more before pictures to share on my own weight loss blog.
Dean72´s last blog ..Funny Article
Yeah, that’s the funny thing… I wish I had taken more pictures when I was at my higher weight too! I know eventually I will need a before and after pic and I have so few choices because I hid myself and refused to take pictures! I know why I did it, but I hate that it happened that way.
You are so inspirational!
I suffer from binge eating disorder (been to a clinic about it) but am still trying to come to terms with it. Its so nice to see someone working through something similar and seeing that anything is achievable. Good luck with your on going journey i’m sure you will get where you want to be in the end :)
Aw, thank you Sara. I’m glad you got treatment and are still working through things. I know that it’s not something that immediately goes away – it does take some time and work. But I know women who have gotten past it and I’m almost completely there too, so I know it’s possible. Thank you and good luck to you as well!
That is a cute puppy though. Is it yours? But youre right, you do look more vibrant in the later photo. Have fun at fitblogging. :)
merri´s last blog ..Recipe: Irish Potato Cookies & Irish Food in General
It was cute. We had a litter we raised then sold. We didn’t keep that one.
Thanks! :)
I see a huge difference in those photos and you should be proud of everything that you’ve accomplished. Thanks for taking us along the ride.:D
Fattie Fatterton´s last blog ..Like a pretzel
Congratulations on your amazing progress! I love the jazz hands in the second pic :D
Haha! They weren’t jazz hands so much as… OMG what’s going on picture time hands. If that makes sense. ;)
Have fun at Fitbloggin! Love the progress pics…and I think losing weight slowly makes you lose it permanently!
Craig´s last blog ..The Final Perfect Ten Update!
Let’s hope so! That’s my theory! I lost it fast the first time but that didn’t stick, so this time it’s slow and steady and PERMANENT.
I love this post! Especially about it not being the first time you lose weight, but it will be the last time. Love that. And you seem so at peace with allowing the weight to come off in its own time. This will be a post I refer to when I am having issues with patience. Have fun at Fitbloggin. I wilsh I was going…
Kat´s last blog ..Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Yeah… it’s not. The first time I was cocky and just did all the outside stuff and never fixed the reasons *why* I ended up being obese. So when the problems inside came back so did the weight. But this time it’s the last time because I’m completely and totally changing my life from the inside out. I am at peace with the slow pace because I see no reason to rush it. Why lose weight fast again if it’s just going to come right back? I’d rather go slow and make sure it’s a permanent solution. It’s hard sometimes, but I would rather be patient and succeed than rush it and fail. ;)
Thank you SO much for being such an inspiration. You’ve played a big part in my “staying on the wagon” this last week. I’ve grown to really enjoy reading your blog. Thank you!
Aw, thank you Andrea. I’m glad I could help. I know a lot of people have supported me and helped me stay on a good path over the last year so I just want to return the favor and pay it forward. :)
yup….the attitude is completely different. Great before and during pics, you are doing awesome.
Chris´s last blog ..It’s never too late…
Great quote. I’m taking it with me. :)
Gina Fit by 41 Maybe 42´s last blog ..Here a Doc, There a Doc, Everywhere a Doc Doc
The puppy blocking technique was the first thing I noticed in that first picture…been there, done that!!!
Have fun at fitbloggin and I look forward to reading all the recaps.
josie´s last blog ..Day 1 on Weight Watchers & a new definition of sore
We all have. Puppies are cute and DISTRACTING. Hehe.
Thanks! I was thinking about blogging while I was there but I think I’m just going to wait and do a recap Sunday or Monday. It will be good!
I’m so inspired!!! I want to live and look my best, too! I’ve been reading a lot about natural weight loss. I found a book that I’d like to try. It’s called “Looking Good Naked: Natural Weight Loss in 6 Easy Steps”. I’m ready to be healtheir.
YOU have changed! Good job, Mary, you are truly an inspiration.
Hanlie´s last blog ..How do you like me now?
Wow, thanks for posting this! I have been a bit down about losing *only* 37lbs this past year, even though I try to remind myself every day of the things I have accomplished in that time, it’s really nice to “see” someone out there who is kind of like me. I too have lost weight before but this is the last time. Really, the last time. So I guess it doesn’t really matter how long it takes to get there.
Now I’m just working on acceptance of where I’m at right now. Easier said than done…
have fun at FitBloggin’!
Renée´s last blog ..The “Zone”
You can definitely see your progress in the pictures. It actually looks as if you lost more than 40 pounds. Congratulations! Keep up the great work!
Dr. Kal´s last blog ..Childhood Obesity Articles