You’re on this page because you want to know who I am, what I am doing, and why I am doing it. In short, you’re here to learn about me!
I’m California born and bred, and since about the age of 17, have been steadily gaining weight. Around age 26, I started playing DDR for about an hour a night, every night. I lost about 45 pounds in two months. I didn’t change my eating habits though, and roughly a year later, I gained it back. A few years passed. I took a go at doing Weight Watchers at home, using an online support community (see Boot Camp Buddies in my sidebar links) to keep me on track. I lost 64 pounds, hit a plateau, and gave up. I kept the weight off for about a year, but then gained all but 7.5 pounds of it back again the next year.
I also suffer from Bipolar disorder, severe anxiety, and depression (the doctor hasn’t said so but I lean heavily towards SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder- on this one.) Depending on my mental well-being, some posts here may focus on my mental health as much as my weight loss journey.
My goal is to be a healthy, fit weight of about 150 pounds by my birthday in January, 2013, though I have lots of little goals to meet along the way to keep things manageable and ensure I am always making positive progress towards my ultimate goal.
Here I am making another go of it, this time paired with regular exercise. I received an insurance settlement from a car accident, paid off almost all of my immediate debt, and signed up for the gym. You can see my workouts under the “workouts” tab in the menu. My friends Shana & Mike, who’ll be keeping me going and helping to keep me on track throughout this journey have already proven to be hugely helpful.
So… here I go. I am going to succeed this time.
250 PoundsThe first photo was taken October 8th, 2011 while we were throwing a friend’s birthday party. This is me at my start weight of 250 pounds. Not a pretty sight at all I’m afraid! The second photo was taken on October 29th, 2011, at only a few pounds less. It was right before we let for a Halloween party at friends’ house. My neck and chin in the first photo totally gross me out! I don’t even have a neck or chin! Ewww! My next photos will probably be in the same sweater and dress. That sweat is a size too small in this photo so should be able to wear it for a few more shots, and the dress fits perfectly right now, so it will be okay for pics for about 50 pounds. I’m looking forward to posting the next set of photos and playing Spot the Difference! |
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230 PoundsFrom here on out, I am going to do silhouettes of my body shape as I think they will be more telling. Of course they’re also leaving me much more exposed as well. I wish I had thought to do this at the beginning as I’ve lost a few inches to go with the pounds, but I didn’t think of it until just now when I remembered the body models people make for sewing- to try the outfit on the doll before they actually sew it. Anyway, here’s me at 231.5 pounds. Everything bulges and sticks out, mostly in places it shouldn’t. Next time I do these I’ll remember to pull my hair up first. |
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210 PoundsI decided to overlap these with the last silhouettes to see the difference between them. I tried to keep my pose the same, though I was wearing different underclothes for this set, and I think my boobs were kind of squashed in the last ones. I’ve lost from my waist, my thighs, belly, legs, and my neck. Mostly from my belly though. I also lost some up top, but not a lot. I’m looking forward to doing this again in another 20 pounds! |
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190 PoundsIts hard to get my pose exactly the same for each set of photos, but I got as close as I could. The changes were more subtle this time, though I seem t have lost a little from everywhere. I lost about 6 inches total from my last progress pictures, which isn’t a lot, and unfortunately I haven;t lost anything up top to speak of in ages- honestly, if I were to ever get cosmetic surgery, it would be a breast reduction! My love handles have shrunk down quite a bit though, and my overall silhouette is much smoother then before. |
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170 Pounds |
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150 Pounds |
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Yes you will do it this time! You can just hear the determination in your words. I look forward to reading more.
Aimee recently posted..FMM: Have You Ever?
Thank you Aimee! (Love how your name is spelled BTW) I’ll be posting every day and hopefully with consistent progress!
Deb recently posted..Day 66
I think you should do 10 lb increments. I am sure with 20 lbs shredded already you look a bit different.
Trish recently posted..Thanksgiving -WW recipes
I thought about it, but 25 sounds pretty good to me. I don’t even really drop a size for the first 40 pounds or so either. Then boom! One day its just gone, or so it seems. I love that day! lol
Deb recently posted..Day 66
Focus on the little things and even when the scale doesn’t move, relish in non-scale victories! I look forward to following you along on your journey. It’s comforting to know there are so many others in the same boat with similar goals :)
Michelle, I am trying to stay focused on each little step. Like today I worked on a plan re: Christmas cookies if I can’t make them vanish by way of me not eating them. If I can stick to that, it will be a big victory! And I’ve set tons of tiny goals along the way, some weight related, some fitness, some clothing. Lots of baby stpe sto relish each time I complete one. :)
It is very comforting to know how many people are on this journey!
Deb recently posted..Day 66
Come on Deb, keep it going, just a bit at a time…. I’m about to start WW again and I really appreciate your inspiration ! Good for you !
Sandie, thank you! Please come back and tell me how you’re doing in your journey when you get started again. I’d love to follow your progress as well!
Deb recently posted..Day 79
Hey, you seem to be coming right along. I hope we can continue to keep tabs on one another. Good luck and remember, someone’s cheering for you!
Thanks for coming by Bree! I’ll be posting more or less every day, and trying to make myself accountable for everything both here and an Twitter.
Deb recently posted..Impossibly Easy Taco Pie
Hi Deb…I just ready your story and it’s SO similar to mine…I know that you’ll TOTALLY do this. I’m excited to be able to follow you in your journey. :) Looking forward to losing it with you!
I’m looking forward to seeing your progress too! And do not give up on yoga! The benefits are huge for your body and your mind. Even if it feels awkward, at the end once you get into the zone, you’ll feel so calm and at peace for hours. :)
Deb recently posted..Day 116
Progress pictures are such a good tool when we lose sight of things and can then look at them and realize, “Yes, I do look different and yes, I have lost weight!” Keep it up!!
Janet recently posted..A good experience!
Thanks Janet! I’m only about 8 pounds away from taking the next set. I can’t wait!
Deb recently posted..Day 265
Inspiring! My diet is always on and off. Unfortunately, this time I gained those unwanted pounds again. :-(
By the way, I like the way you presented your progress photos..
love Love LOVE the silhouette overlays – so awesome to see your progress that way. KEEP IT UP!
Thank you David! I wanted to do something a little different than most people here, and it works!
Deb recently posted..Sunday Day 450 & Monday 451 Food Diary
I went over my daily points by 2 point today. do you think i wil gain becouse of this?
Remember, if you’re following the old Points system you have 35 extra points to use whenever you want, and if you’re following P+, you have 49 to use anytime.
Deb recently posted..Saturday Day 470 Food Diary (And Why Mattie is Awesome!)
hey deb! I am so excited that you are still at it. I enjoyed the good life of my weightloss, until my husband got too excited and got me pregnant again. just had our little boy on new Years eve. so getting ready to be back at it. Thanks for your resources as always. how did you do the silhouette?
Congrats on the new baby! Sorry you gained, but you’ll shed it!
I do the silhouettes in Adobe Illustrator. I just take photos of myself, then trace the outline and apply a fill to the shape. :)
Deb recently posted..Saturday Day 470 Food Diary (And Why Mattie is Awesome!)