July 14, 2006 12:58 PM
I hate to do this . . .
Diet Update
Deb asked me to blog about my feelings about my weight loss before attending ICRS this year.
I can't tell you how much it costs me in terms of personal embarrassment to post this picture from last year . . .
But for the sake of anyone out there who is working on or considering working on losing weight, I am going to post these two pictures:
From ICRS Denver 7/11/05, me with the Newsboys:
From ICRS Denver 7/10/06 with Dr. Weathers, President of Beacon Hill:
I can't tell you how shocking it is to me to see how fat I used to be. And yes, I will continue to use the F word - or should I use the O word, "obese"? I can't believe what a state of denial I was in about my appearance and my health. In spite of all the evidence - like barely being able to buckle my seatbelt on the flight to Denver last year - I somehow was able to avoid confronting reality.
I actually did not start losing weight until 2/2/06 - so you can see that five months can make a world of difference. I've lost 60 pounds and gone from 22w to 14/16. When I went shopping for clothes for this year's ICRS I bypassed the Plus Woman section - FOR GOOD! - and made a beeline for the normal sizes. I will NEVER, NEVER allow myself to go up the scale again.
I still have 40 pounds to go, but I am feeling free, free, free! And very motivated to continue until I meet my goal.
Even though I'm smiling in both pictures, I think it's pretty obvious how much better I feel now. I am so full of life and energy compared to how I was. As I said, I'd like to pretend this slice of my life never really happened, and I'd prefer not to run pictures like this - HOWEVER, if it encourages anyone at all to tackle their weight problem, it is worth any embarrassment I feel.
For anyone new to this site who wants to know more about my dieting journey, click on Categories above, then click on Diet. Two publishers are considering a book I am planning on how to make any diet your last.
Comments
I am just so proud of you! You look great and so classy! You're a phenomenal example.
Posted by: amelia | July 14, 2006 2:13 PM
Wow, your pic with the Newsboys ... !
You look great. And so does your hair.
Posted by: Damselfly | July 14, 2006 2:16 PM
I think you look great!
Posted by: Kristina | July 14, 2006 4:29 PM
woah, Barbara, thank you for the painfully obvious honesty at my request. You are a different woman.
Posted by: floorplan | July 14, 2006 6:30 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You really look AWESOME!!!
How are you losing weight (or is that in other posts??)? Keep up the GREAT work!!
His,
Mrs. U
www.makingahouseahome.blogspot.com
Posted by: Mrs. U | July 14, 2006 7:57 PM
I'm heading there, baby! Right behind you. Yeehaw! Keep up the great work, Barbara.
Posted by: Kim | July 14, 2006 8:47 PM
You look amazing! What a difference! I do hope yours is a PERMANENT victory over weight and overeating, but it seems it is a forever battle.
When I lost 60# the first time I thought it was forever...but after two years and another baby, I had to do it again....40# a year ago in July...now here I am ready to deliver another baby and I have gained so much weight...MOSTLY because of my own laziness....not exercising during this pregnancy and eating to my heart's content...(or rather my flesh's content). The only thing that has permanently changed in me is the "KNOWING" that this is wrong and that I CAN CHANGE....and the determination NOT to live with overweight ever again. But the battle and temptation to indulge seems ever with me. I've never been addicted to cigarettes, alcohol or drugs....but candy, sweets, and second and third helpings...these are so hard for me to say "no" to. Thanks for being such an inspiration! I can't wait to get back into some "skinny" clothes again...hopefully by next spring.
You look BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Posted by: Tara | July 14, 2006 9:11 PM
Well, for me, it's official; I just got my yearly exam and I was "officially" told I needed to lose seven pounds; I know is not too much, but you have encouraged me not to wait until I have to lose too many pounds and just get working on this right away. I started working out this week and I already see the difference in my energy level; I'm looking forward to lose this extra fat around my waist!! Thanks for the inspiration and thanks for calling fat what it is: fat!
I'll keep you updated on my progress.
And you look great!
Posted by: LadyLovas | July 14, 2006 11:09 PM
Congratulations! You are an encouragement to all of us in so many ways.
Besides looking happier, you also look younger in this year's picture.
Posted by: Cathy | July 14, 2006 11:41 PM
Thank you, Barbara! You are a great encouragement to me.
Thank you for being so brave!
You're a blessing to me.
Donna
Posted by: Miz Booshay | July 14, 2006 11:47 PM
Just wanted to say that is so wonderful...congratulations on your weight loss! You look beautiful!
Blessings,
~tammy
Posted by: Tammy | July 15, 2006 1:46 AM
Please don't think of these two pictures in terms of embarrassment over the first one but pride and joy of accomplishment over the second one. You look great!
Posted by: swissmiss | July 15, 2006 3:27 AM
Ditto to what swissmiss said!
Have to tell you that you have helped to inspire me to finally make time to exercise, I joined Curves gym a few weeks ago! I am only about 12 pounds over my ideal but you got to me thinking about the fact that since I weighed less than this when my son was six months old (he is now 2) that I can't keep calling it "baby weight." I need to take responsibility for my choices that are adding and keeping the pounds. Thanks Barbara!
Posted by: Alison | July 15, 2006 11:41 PM
I am so thrilled for you!
Posted by: Mel | July 18, 2006 12:47 AM
