I needed to see the difference for myself.
May 12, 2011 I started on a journey to get more healthy. I can’t find the photo from that day, but this photo was taken in April, at my daughter’s baptism, and I looked the same way then, pretty much. That was a glorious happy day!
I’ve been at the same weight since the beginning of December (I just didn’t worry about it at all through the holidays and I was happy to stay the same), so this January picture is accurate for an end of November photo, too.
May to November – 6 months and about 25 lbs. I can see the difference in these photos (that’s sometimes hard to see when you live in the same body every day!) but I also have had to buy new clothes. It’s a good feeling. I needed to see the difference for myself, for feeling like I’m actually accomplishing something and for motivation to keep going.
This post isn’t a bragging post. In fact, it’s a humbling post for me. And a reminder of where I still want to get to. The journey isn’t over, and health is still my priority!
Please feel free to link your Weird and Wordless (or Word-full) posts below.
Check out more Weird Wednesday, Wordful Wednesday
and Wordless Wednesday here on my blog,
as well as more info on how I started this weight loss journey at Weigh-In Wednesday.
For more Wordless Wednesday (and to link up) visit:
Tara’s View of the World
My Organized Chaos
My Wee View
If you like, leave me a comment to tell me what WEIRD or wonderful things
happened to you this week, too!
Possibly Related Weirdness
- Weigh-In Wednesday: Week 8 – 2 Months Already?
- Lap-Snapping – Weird & Wordless Wednesday {linky}
- Camping Weekend Photos – WW {linky}
HI! I'm Raylene, I live in Alberta, Canada, and I'm a little weird (OK, maybe more than a little)! I sing & dance through life. I am a lover of sunshine & lizards & chocolate - and more. "It's OK to be WEIRD!" is my motto! I am learning to live life more fully & helping others to embrace their "inner weirdie" along the way.
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{ 55 sharing the weirdness...read them below or, add your own comment. }
Oh My Goodness!!!
You look amazing, I had no idea you had come so far Raylene!
So very proud of you!!!
Tammi
My Organized Chaos
Thanks Tammi! It’s been a slow and steady thing, so I didn’t really know how far I had come either. LOL!
Wow! You look amazing friend! Great job!
Thanks CC!
I’m starting to feel like my old self a little more again! Like I recognize that person in the mirror a little more. lol
You are awesome! I wish I could do that.
Joyce
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2012/01/wordless-wednesday-sixth-grade.html
I spent a lot of years wishing and trying different things. I finally found something I could do, and my hubby has been amazingly supportive. You can do it, too, Joyce! Thanks for sharing your link!
YOU LOOK AMAZING! I bet you feel great too, Way to go Raylene.
Thanks Lynette! I do feel better, too, for sure!
WHOOT WHOOT!! Way to Go!!!! You do look spectacular.
aw, you’re the first one to say ‘spectacular’. I like that adjective! Thanks Shash! <3
YAHOO!! Good for you Raylene! You look fabulous
Thanks Tara! I’m starting to feel a little more fabulous.
You look so great! I know exactly what you’re feeling, going through. I started up walking during my lunch breaks and lost a lot of weight. I gained some back. Now we joined the YMCA. It feels good to be more active!
That was a big part of how I jump started things. Hubby and I walked every night together. It made it fun and easy to keep up with. In winter it’s harder to do that. But it feels good when I’m more active for sure!
WOW you look amazing sister, take a moment and BE PROUD!! You’re an inspiration
Thanks Julie! I’m excited (not sure about proud, though, LOL!).
You look terrific! I am where you were a year ago. You are an inspiration!
I wonder where I’ll be in another year! Slow and steady progress is all I’m hoping for! You can do it, Fadra!!
Wow! What a change. It is hard work! What is your secret?
It is hard work. I’ve had to retrain my body in a lot of ways and become away of triggers for eating and stuff. I’ve been participating in the Herbalife program as well (early progress documented here in Weigh-in Wednesday) and it’s helped me to figure out what fuel my body needs, etc. I LOVE to eat yummy things, so it’s been a matter of me changing my mindset about some things, and giving my body good fuel so that it can use that fuel better. I’m stil learning!
You are looking FANTASTIC!!! Way to keep at it ~ isn’t it amazing how each baby step accumulated over six months ~ such a positive change in your life working towards a healthier you.
AW, thanks Kathy! Yup, it’s definitely been baby steps! I set a bigger goal out in front, but just focused on the baby steps along the way. A LITTLE at a time. I could handle that! LOL! And it IS about health – I’ve got to be more healthy, and the fringe benefit is that I look better, to!
you look awesome! great work
happy wednesday
Thanks!! It’s been hard work, but worth it!
You look fabulous!!! What an amazing change. Good for you for keeping it off during the holidays too. That is no small feat.
Julia, thanks so much! I decided not to worry about losing over Christmas, and was just really glad not to gain any either. LOL! I ate lots of yummy stuff, but portion size I think was key. I could have a little bit of everything and still be OK. Or I could skip somethings to make room for the things I REALLY wanted. HA! And I kept doing my shakes for 1 or 2 meals a day. I know that helped!
Congratulations! This is amazing. Losing weight and continuing on the journey is so difficult. You should be very, very proud of yourself!
Thank you, Kelly! I want to keep moving forward, to having a comparison helps me to see how far I’ve come and gives me hope to keep going. The first 3 months were probably the hardest, but I did see some fast results, and I know that helped. Plus, I’ve not felt deprived from being able to have things this time. I still enjoy treats and good food. I’m just more careful about them. I’m excited. Maybe not proud yet, but definitely excited! LOL!
You look amazing! Good job!
WOWWWWW!!!!! You have done a great job and you look amazing!! I gotta get moving and start losing now;-)
You betcha! You can do it, Ruth!!
OMG- Amazing!!! only 6 months???? wow
I had actually hoped to do a bit more in 6 months, like maybe 2 pounds a week
2 lbs x 6 months x (4 weeks in a month) = 48 lbs
But as it is, I averaged about it 1lb a week for 24 lbs or so. There’s no complaint in that! Slow and Steady… little by little. If feels sustainable this way, too. Like I have it off and I can keep it off. That’s HUGE for me. I didn’t want to yo-yo, you know!
Wow you look fantastic! It really does pay off!
Thanks Debra! It does pay off! In the end, it’s worth it, and I know I can’t help but be more healthy after dropping those pounds. And I look and feel better – definitely worth it!
You look amazing. Way to go.
Thanks Tricia!
I still have a ways to go, but I’m totally getting there!
WOW!! Good for you ~ you are an inspiration
Paula
lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping by Paula. This photo comparison is an inspiration to myself – it says, “You can do it, keep going!” If it says that to anyone else, that’s excellent!!
Raylene, you look absolutely amazing!!! You have always been so beautiful, but I think your smile is a little bigger now (and I didn’t think that was possible!)! Congratulations on losing 25 lbs…that takes a lot of work!
Lynn – you are too sweet! I wish I could hug you!
Do you know how hard it is to admit in public that I LOST 25 lbs? It means that I had 25lbs or more to lose to begin with, which isn’t good, and I found it really hard to say anything at first. But losing it IS good, and with REAL life friends encouraging me on, like you, I know I can keep getting healthier, even if I didn’t lose another pound. You know what I mean? Thanks for leaving such a sweet comment for me. I means a lot!
Wow! Congratulations to you! From my own experience, I just think that is such hard work you did! Awesome! How did you stay strong through the holidays? What an inspiration!
Thanks Susan!! Holiday time was tricky! I didn’t go out to as many events as I might normally have, but I also enjoyed eating the things I liked. I wasn’t worried about losing any over Christmas, I just hoped I didn’t gain too much back. I kept with the same 1 or 2 Herbalife shakes a day, and the other meal I was REALLY careful with my portion sizes. If I knew I wanted some other yummy stuff, I would cut back on the ‘regular’ stuff. But I tried to keep a good balance, and just not overindulge. Honestly, I really feel like part of my success was because I’d been shrinking portion sizes all through the summer and fall, so I really could NOT eat too much by the time we got to the holidays – my stomach couldn’t take it. I’d feel full really soon, because my stomach was accustomed to smaller meals. I still did snack, and enjoyed some nice holiday treats for snacks, but just kept in mind all the things I had been doing for so many months already. Having the routine in place BEFORE the holidays was my saving grace, I think.
Wow, you look amazing!! Congratulations!
Thanks Naomi!
It was really neat to see your comment, because my daughter’s name is Naomi! hehe
WOW, you look stunning girl! Congrats on eating well and reaping the rewards!!
Thanks Steph! Yup, good eating makes such a big difference, doesn’t it!
Hi! I found you through Mom Vs. The Boys.
And you look great! I would love to lose about twenty pounds but heck I’d even take ten!! What is your plan?
Hi Canadian Mama (from another Canadian mama)!
I had to convince myself to set a big goal, but work small. That was part of the plan to begin with. Healthy sustainable weight loss to me meant 1-2 lbs a week. I could do that. I’ve been using the Herbalife program with shakes and supplements – they have been fantastic, honestly. And having support from my husband and a few good friends has been priceless!
That is awesome and you look great! Weight sure is fun to put on and hard to get off! Good job!
Teresa – you can say that again! Weight IS fun to put on, but dang is it hard to go in the reverse! I appreciate that statement now more than ever before! LOL!
Oh thankyou Raylene! You give me hope!!!
I just want to ‘feel like myself’ again too!!!
aw! There definitely is hope! I really am beginning to feel like myself again in lots of ways, feeling like I recognize myself in the mirror again, kind of silly, but true! You can do it! If I can (and I love to eat anything and everything that tastes yummy and I hate to exercise) then anyone can!
wow! fabulous!! You are a poster child of inspiration. congrats. I am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can!