Do you want to see the fat me?
I was looking at some pictures this week and I ran across this picture of me when I weighed the most. My son and I were both at our fattest. Of course, since then he has grown lots taller, and he weighs more now, but he is skinny. Unfortunately for me, I haven't grown any taller.
I have always had this picture put away where only I could see it. I didn't ever want to let myself get this heavy again. I haven't!! I have gotten way too close though. This is when I weighed about 195. I think I was wearing a size 16. I wore stretchy pants so probably I was really into a size 18.
I think I was 45 years old in this picture.
Then I found this picture.
In this picture I am about 28. I was fairly thin then. If I got over 125 pounds I though I was huge. I'm not sure exactly what I weighed at that time. Probably around 110. Since I am 5'5" tall, that is probably on the low side on the BMI chart.
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One of my recent pictures.
Now I am posting one of my recent pictures. It is not a great picture and one I have posted before. It shows where I am today. I am about 160 pounds. I am losing weight and I have dropped 25 pounds in this most recent weight loss journey. I am in a size 8.
Well now I will be 59 in two months. I may never be the size of the young mom in picture number 2. In between the years of the fat picture and now I have spent lots of time in the gym working out. I haven't worked out consistently in the last year. This last year I went through some rough times and I allowed myself to get heavy again. I am going to keep these pictures as reminders of the person I have been.
I hope to never be any heavier than I am today. I hope to to lose about 20-30 more pounds. I don't know how much I will lose, and it may take some time to get it off. I do know that I will work at losing and getting into better physical shape. I will commit to working out on a routine basis.
Why have I allowed myself to go from one weight to another over the years. Is it all emotionally triggered? If so, how do I stop it?
I am determined to make this the last time I go through this weight loss journey. I know a big contributor to my excess weight is sugar. I have known this for several years now. I gave up sugar for about six months twice that I can remember. When I was close to 50 I got into a size 4. The last time was about 3 years ago. I lost most of my weight that time. This time it is coming off slower than it did in the past.
I think blogging about it this time is going to be the catalyst that allows me to get to a healthy weight and stay. I may have little ups and downs, but I think blogging about those things will let me work my way through the hard times.
My goal is to stay away from sugar and flour and to eat more in the Paleo/Low Carb/ Primal diet range. If I can do this permanently the weight should stay off. That is my goal.
How do you get through the hard times?
Tell me what your goals are. How do you get through the hard times? Are you an emotional eater? Do you eat out of boredom?
Are you willing to post your fat pictures?
Hi Betty, I loved the pictures. I like your goal and mine is about the same. Giving up both sugar and flour will take some work. I'm doing better on the flour part right now, but still making progress with both. I have around 230-250 lbs to lose. I've been obese since graduating high school and over 300 lbs for 15 years. I don't have experience with any large weight loss but I am hoping this time I will. Time will tell.
ReplyDeleteI am an emotional eater, especially when I am stressed. I recognize the behavior and am working on that too.
Best wishes for your success this go round. Hope you have a fantastic week.
Thanks so much! I think you will succeed with this plan. I know it works!! I really believe when we figure out what our issues are, we can fix them. I think I need to replace eating with a healthy alternative when I feel stressed or emotional about something. Taking a walk is a good alternative.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing Betty.
ReplyDeleteI have been an emotional eater, but I'm hoping I've kicked it. I have a completely different mindset than I ever did before. Time, of course, will tell. But the mere thought of breads, rolls, chips, etc....now disgusts me, and has for a good five months. I can't see that changing. And if/when bad news happens, I'm pretty confident I will attack my menu with even more vigor, rather than just letting it go. Hopefully, you are in that spot too.
I need to lose about 8 more pounds to hit a healthy/normal BMI. That's the least I want to still lose, but it's come to a grinding halt. I've upped my exertion (hilly walks more than just dancing in place), and we are buying a small weight machine for at home, so I can start working on that. I can't really cut my food down any less than what it is. So I gotta step up the calories burned.
Will be interesting to see how far we still can both go! Doin' it together, sistah!
I hope you can figure out a way to lose those eight pounds. I probably have about 10 pounds to get into a healthy BMI. I am not sure that is going to go very fast, but as long as I am eating healthy I am ready to deal with it. It will happen, it just may take longer than I would like. If I had my choice it would be gone tomorrow, but it just doesn't work that way.
DeleteI don't feel disgust with any food yet. I just don't have a desire to eat them. I think I need to handle emotions with walking or other stress relievers.
Hi Betty, I was an emotional eater and I used any form of addictions to cover any pain that I might have to deal with... now I exercise when I feel overwhelmed... I walk a lot... I eat extremely healthy, I do have some sugar and flour but it is all balanced. I am much choosier about what I am eating than I have ever been throughout my life. I will always have to keep track of what I eat (I use Fitnesspal) and I will always have to keep track of my exercise (currently using MapMyWalk)... I am going to start training for a 5K for October. The key for me is eating healthy and exercising together... I don't have a number I want to be on the scale, nor do I have a size, once I get there I will know... it won't be tiny as I adore my curves but it will be much more manageable than I have been :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your weight loss Betty :)
I'm glad you have found your stress reliever in walking. Walking is so great for you. I think each person has to decide what they will eat and what makes them feel good. There aren't too many people who are naturally thin and can eat anything they want for their whole lives. The majority of us have to watch what we eat to stay at a healthy weight.
DeleteI have always had a curvy body, I really think that is part of our make-up. I don't think I could get thin enough to lose that.
Hi Betty,
ReplyDeleteAll the very best with your weight loss program. I have never been a fat person and in school I was so slim that when my twin and I gained weight they said a miracle had occurred!:) Anyway I have weighed more than I should in recent years but now I am okay. I tend to lose my appetite if I am under stress. I deal with stressful times by meditating, doing Yoga exercises, communicating with relatives and friends etc. By the way, I think all three pictures of you are lovely. Take care and have a good week.
Judy
I am sure that is why you stay thin. Meditating, Yoga, and talking out your issues are healthy alternatives to eating away your stress.
DeleteThanks for the compliments! The best to you!!
I know sugar is my worst enemy too - I was skinny my whole life and then I turned 50 - dear God.
ReplyDeleteThat's all I'm going to say.................lol
You look incredible - way to go - I know it isn't easy!!!
XOXO
I really think sugar is hard for all of us. There is just so much sugar in everything any more.
DeleteThanks for the lovely compliment.
Betty, menopause and no thyroid along with some of my medications make it incredibly difficult for me to lose the weight I've gained over the past few years. It is terribly frustrating. I applaud you for reaching your goals. I do think you look beautiful in all of your photos. Hugs
ReplyDeleteThanks Katherine! As you age it is so much harder to maintain a healthy weight. We can't do the things we did when we were young and stay thin. Good luck to you, and I hope you figure out how to keep your weight in a healthy range.
DeleteHi Betty, You have kept that amazingly youthful look your entire life. Anyone would be able to tell that the youngest picture you posted is the you of your youth. So you've done an amazing job at staying youthful looking.
ReplyDeleteI occasionally see people I knew from my high school days on facebook. They will post an updated photo of themselves and their family. My first reaction (silently) is OMG - what happened to you!?! Somehow they morphed from looking like Princess Leia into Jabba the Hutt. Life can be as hard as we make it to be. You are doing awesome!
Thanks Marc, you are so sweet! Of course, I am my own worst critic. I can look at the pictures and find all the changes. I do understand what you are talking about though. Some people really do not take care of themselves. Other than the weight issues I believe I have tried to live a healthy life. I also believe chosing to be happy makes a difference.
DeleteYou look great! We'll get there. As long as we keep at it. It's not a "2 week thing" its for life.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't it just be a "2 week thing"? That would be so much easier. I guess we never really appreciate anything that comes too easy though! Keep up the good work. We can all celebrate together.
DeleteYou definitely look great. It takes a lot of hard work to be able to get there for sure. Kudos to you :) Thank you for sharing those photos, truly inspiring!
ReplyDelete<3 PinKixx
Thanks so much! It does take hard work. So many of us are working and sharing our weight loss journeys and I find that a big help.
DeleteYou definitely look great. It takes a lot of hard work to be able to get there for sure. Kudos to you :) Thank you for sharing those photos, truly inspiring!
ReplyDelete<3 PinKixx
Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment. Weight loss is hard work and takes a total change of lifestyle.
DeleteHi Betty! Well, it's not too shabby that you are wearing a mini-skirt in your most current pic! Awesome! You look fabulous for 58 nearly 59. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Marion! I truly enjoy all your encouragement. I asked my husband if the skort was too much. I didn't want to look like I was trying to be too young. He said it looked good on me. I decided to go ahead and wear it. I might not be able to wear something like that much longer so I thought "What the heck". It makes me feel good about losing my weight!
DeleteI'm an emotional eater (really, a stress eater.) I do know when I've got things under control and I'm in my weight range, I manage the food stress much better. I think it's a matter of having far more good days than bad, and then you're able to move forward. :) You're looking great!
ReplyDeleteKyra, that makes so much sense. If we can figure out how to have more good days than bad we should be doing great. I think sometimes I take on too many things and that causes so much of my stress.
DeleteThanks for the lovely compliment!!
I love the way pictures show progress. You look great! Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks!! I really appreciate you lovely thoughts. We can all do with blessings!
DeleteThank you for sharing your pictures. How brave and inspiring you are to be so candid! Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteXOXO,
Meredith
Thanks Meredith! I really think it is important for me to just be open and learn from all my past experiences. I think that is how you can make better choices in the present.
DeleteHI BETTY:) JUST WANTED TO SAY HI AND LET YOU KNOW YOU LOOK AMAZING GIRL:). GREAT JOB:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jama, I haven't seen you in a while. I hope everything is going fantastic in your life.
DeleteBetty, you look truly incredible now!! You give me lots of hope an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda!! I know you are going to be successful. I just wish your health wasn't making it harder for you. I really hope that get the liver issues figured out so you can feel well.
DeleteYou look great :) I think you're doing great with your weightloss. You look great in your most recent photo!
ReplyDeleteBetty,
ReplyDeleteOn a quick side note, I wanted to thank you for visiting my blog today. You're showing up as a No Reply Blogger, so I can't reply to your comment. But, since I like to respond to all comments, I wanted to swing back by and say thanks - I'm glad you like my chair. :)
XOXO,
Meredith
My dear Betty, with a blog named just dip it in chocolate, chances are I'm never going to share my fat picture..lol...my head knows that I have to do something about it for health reasons...but my mouth keeps saying "open up and say ahhh" ...but joking aside, you are doing such a wonderful job! It's something to be admire! You look fantastic! keep up the good work and perhaps one of this days I will join you in your journey! hugs,
ReplyDeleteLizy