I don't blow my own trumpet very often, but the other day I was scouring my hard drive for photos and chanced upon one of me from 2008. Horrified doesn't even begin to describe it. I've noticed a few posts of late from people who have said they are losing motivation... well, I just hope this post helps motivate at least someone.
The pic on the left is me in 2008. Aged 43, pushing 25 stone (158kg), unfit, I always joke that I got out of breath running a bath but that's not far short of the truth. 5XL shirt, 46" waist trousers, looking about 11 months pregnant...
The pic on the right is me today (26th September 2020). Aged 55. 13 stone 9 (86.6kg). This morning I ran 9km. XL t-shirt, 36" waist trousers. About 10lbs to go before I reach the upper range of "healthy weight" for my height, still a bit of a belly, but hey, it comes to us all in late middle age.
Approaching my 50th I had a routine check up from my GP, and had the finger wagging, high BP, pre-diabetic, morbidly obese. Went on a diet, lost a lot of weight, then for reasons I won't bore you with I fell off the wagon. March 2019, I got back on the wagon, weighing 133kg, 18 months' hard work later (I'm not going to pretend it was easy), well, you can see for yourselves.
I was always Mr No Willpower... but hey, if I can do it, I'm sure you can.
Written by
Cp1965
41kg
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You truly are an inspiration for us all and should be super proud of yourself. 😀
Wow! Fab. What a difference. When you worry about STS every week just look at these and see how far you have come. A massive achievement. It will have made a huge difference to your health even if you haven't quite reached your target. You have done brilliantly. 👋👋
But overweight is better than obese/morbidly obese. I was very happy to get out of the obese and into overweight. I am still just above healthy BMI and like you struggling to lose the last few pounds. But you have done brilliantly. Reread those figures. You were 25 stone and now 13.9. That's over 11 stone and 10 ins off your waist. You must be proud of that and I'm sure your daughter is.
Fantastic, Cp, well done and thanks for sharing this. Your menus on the Daily Diary always look tasty - just shows that willpower doesn't need to come into it when you choose good food
The willpower comes into it when I'm trying to avoid the pie and biscuit aisles in the supermarket...! Fortunately I like to think I'm a reasonable cook and don't have to resort to ready meals etc.
I was going to ask, have you always cooked your own meals or was the drive to lose weight what got you cooking? We regularly have new members who say they can't cook and we all need the basics if we want to eat healthily
I've always cooked for myself to a large extent, but years of shift work didn't help, eating at all hours of the day and night. It's not rocket science though, and these days with the wealth of information on the interweb arguably it's easier than ever! There weren't any Youtube videos 35 years ago..
I agree, it's not difficult but some people have a block about it.
I think shift work is a real challenge. It's many, many years since I did it and I know my eating was very weird. And it's often bound up with a poor sleep pattern, which doesn't help
It took 10 years of regular hours for my sleep patterns to get anything like normal after 22 years of shifts, sadly then I entered my 50s with the consequent shrunken bladder which had a similar effect 🤣
In 2017 i lost over 100 lbs going from a uk size 24/26 or 3xl in clothes to a sz uk sz 8... but then l took my eye off the ball... and ended up regaining 60 lbs 😭 the hardest part is maintaining. You've totally got this Cp! Just keep your eye on the ball is what I'm saying! 🙂
It’s wonderful to see how well you have done 👏 I’ve thrown out most of my “before” photos because I just don’t want any reminders of being that size. It IS good to see how far people have come though so thank you for keeping and sharing yours 😊
I didn't realise I still had it tbh, I was trawling through some old pics to respond to something a work colleague had posted on Twitter, saw that and thought "*******, did I really look like that?"
Haha 😆 Completely understand. I’ve probably used the same word 😁 There’s a huge separation between what the camera sees and how you view yourself - no idea why 🤷
I wouldn’t worry, your current hair suits you. You’ve done amazingly well, and it shows in your posture ,you look taller and more confident in the second picture 😀😀
Yes it’s a great feeling to see the difference. I no when we got married hubby could only just put his arms around me with a squeeze as now he has to much arms 😂 🌹
You're right, your story is very motivating! It's great to hear of the long term changes you've made, how you persevered when you went off track, and how you've come to accept your body and yourself. Thanks very much for sharing and a huge congratulations. I'd like to think that I can come back in 18 months and tell you I've kept going!
Thank you so much. Well I tell people I can never go back to eating the way I did. I was a bread monster pasta too I thought I was eating good. But it’s not the way for me. I found it hard at times seeing hubby eat things I can never eat again but I have to do this for and my health.🌹
You look great. Well done. I will keep your photo in mind through the coming week. Thank you.
Wow amazing one day I might put a picture on of me. I have a lot of weight to lose. I started May 18th on LCHF eating plan it really suits me first diet that’s ever worked so well. 4 stone 4lb up to now, weigh in tomorrow may be able to add to my loss. A very well done on your weight loss journey just amazing 🌹🌹
I’ve got some amazing pictures my hubby took one yesterday and I even said ohh my word is that really me. Why is it I still see the extra fat woman in a mirror I don’t understand that 🌹
I think we get used to our view of ourselves and that's part of why we keep adding on the pounds. And when we lose, it's gradual - tho' quicker for some than others - and it takes a while 'til we "see" the person we now are. I'm sure with all you've lost already you can see a great difference, and look forward to more to come (or go )
You could do a 'before and now' post if you want. Or save it for later. And make sure you keep saving those pics at regular intervals on your way down.
Wow what an achievement and an inspiration, I’ve only just started my time on here (for the second time) but with a history of fluctuating weight I’m determined that this is going to be my time! Well done and good luck on losing those last few lbs!
Hi Cp1965, that’s a very motivational post. Thanks so much. You’ve done fantastically well and are quite right to blow your own trumpet. Not far to go now compared with how far you’ve come to date. 👍
That's great here's to the last 10lbs. Sometimes you don't realise how weight crept on till you see a pic. Glad your feeling so well for it, I bet you never thought you'd be running 9km. Blow your own trumpet it's deserved.
In my case, they flew on over a 6 month period when I was off work after an injury and stayed there for the following 18 years give or take... they always go on far more quickly than they come off!
You look great!! Like lots of people I tend to be on the other side of the camera, but there's always one or 2 candid shots that manage to sneak in. It's always useful to look back and see how far you've come, and how you appear to others. Well done on your efforts, and thanks for sharing!!
Firstly well done on the weight loss, that photo did the trick,it gave you the determination to succeed, now keeping healthy running and keeping the weight off, a true inspiration for everyone reading this, good luck for the future and thanks for sharing your story.🚶🚴
Inspirational! Thank you, CP195. Your perseverance through the difficult times and your willingness to recommit yourself after relapse has given me an extra measure of hope that I too will succeed!
Brilliant effort. Nice to see it can be achieved over a longer period. For me it’s about maintaining the focus and your story including your wobble shows it can be done.
I'll be honest, seeing that photo made me fully realise how big I'd become, think I was in denial for years, and to be honest it has helped a little bit to stop me looking in the mirror and still seeing a fat bloke!
Hi thanks so much for asking 😄 yes thanks I’m still maintaining & have managed to keep the weight off for approx a year? Now . In fact I’ve dropped a further size do I’ve gone down to 8-10 unbelievable.So it should show 51/2 stone loss. I’m working hard at toning & seeing results & working gradually at building my stamina too. I think it’s all going in the right direction thanks. Thanks to this brilliant site & the lovely supportive people on it. I’m still struggling with the skin from losing so much tho but working on it too.
Thanks. Yes I definitely will join thanks I was trying to find it yesterday? Can you direct me please. I’ve found a couple of things to try lol I hope it works eek
Hi Pumkin7 and welcome to the weight loss forum.. May I suggest that you follow all the links you've been sent in your welcome package It's best to use the website as opposed to the app.
I hope you join the Daily Diary, there's lots of delicious ideas there. When you have decided your “weigh in day”, join one of the weekly weigh ins.
If you are counting calories please run your data through the NHS site, to calculate your BMI and with that obtain your calorie allowance.
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