Work in Progress

Me and my sweetheart on my 33rd birthday Feb. 2013

This was taken at my birthday party Feb. 2013 At this time, I was about 240-245 lbs. and I'd say a combination of depression and self control & laziness brought me here. I ate and drank my sadness...which made me more sad about my body...vicious shitty circle. At 5'1, this is morbidly obese.

So, a friend of mine said something like this....

And it stung a little but she was right.

So, I started a diet plan (Ideal Protein) and started exercising with a trainer

My first 20 lbs... I was pretty excited.

P.S.: I CANNOT STRESS TO YOU THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING LOTS OF BEFORE & AFTER PICTURES....

I read on woman's weight loss blog that the greatest thing you could do for yourself was to create and keep a photo journal during the weight loss journey all the way to the end. So, here's the first 50 lbs of the journey.

I started making comparison photo collages

This helped me see the weight loss on my bad days when I couldn't see it in the mirror....

And I kept little inspirational things on my photo screens

to encourage me to keep going...

I decided to say F**K Skinny and work on being STRONG

So I bought new workout gear to remind myself why I am doing the journey. The shirt says "Forget Skinny! I am training to be a Bad Ass!"

A few weeks later...

Then 10 more lbs came off for a total of 30 lbs & 25 body inches.

My face became recognizable...

My friends noticed too. And that is a really inspiring thing.

I said goodbye to size 14

And then tried to weasel my way into a 12 and that wasn't pretty so I'm staying in a saggy 14 until a 12 doesn't look like a wet suit. :)

Sometimes I still needed a little something to help me

On those bad days when the scale and measuring tape said nothing.

Pre-Planning breakfasts and lunches

Protizyme and Isolyze Proteins

My pantry could have been confused with Tony Montana's

say hello to my little bags

I learned about Walden Farms Products

No calories, No carbs, sugar, and they ain't all that bad!

And then a few more lbs...

I hit a plateau that nearly made me want to quit.

But I jumped back on the wagon a little harder

And my trainer started adding things to my workouts to make them harder (Thanks Corey)

Awww yissss!

My bingo arms are starting to tine

More Motivation....

Still celebrating my arms

I bought my first pair of ridiculous leggings.

I haven't worn them yet since I bought them. I still need to find a fun denim skirt to go over them. But, if those smashing sonsabitches don't inspire you to sing "When Doves Cry" then you are blind and emotionally constipated.

My goal is to squat myself into an amazing butt

My trainer, Corey, at Smash Brothers Fitness, made me list all of my goals. On that list was a J-LO Booty.

And this was a passive agressive jab

At the chick at my local gym who made snarky comments to me while sweating my fat ass off on the treadmill.

BEETEEDUBZ (btw) It is super fucking uncool to bully, bash or pick on ANYONE at the gym who is there trying to make a difference. If you do, stop. Don't be a dick.

Activate Apparel is my favorite place to shop

For all the motivational gear you could ever need

And then I was 45 lbs thinner

*dances an Irish jig*

SW: 240 CW: 196 GW: 140-ish

I still have a ways to go but damn it, I am getting there. After being told that I had high blood pressure, pre-diabetic and a stoke candidate, I decided to make some lifestyle changes....

I still have a long way to go but I am dedicated to making the change.

Comic Con: one year apart.

I found my neck! I have a neck! Look at my neck everyone! It
s covered by hair and a snake but I can still see it.

I started rewarding myself with things that aren't food....

Like cross bows

And trips to the salon for new hair

I was watching Emperor's New Groove on my work cell. Trips to the salon can take a minute

And I bought outfits when I hit mini goals

Like this one you see here. Don't mind the monumental amount of dirt on my curio thingie.... I just brought it inside from a barn to refurb. I know it's dirty.

And really nice gifts for hitting bigger goals

And then I jumped on the PIYO

I just barely started doing this...so excited :)

This is me this very day- 50 lbs lighter.

I am currently 190.2 from 240.9

And since I started with a picture of me and my gentleman...

I shall end it that way too. See my neck!?! I HAVE A NECK!