Saturday, June 28, 2008

Weighin' in

Since we last "met," I was in the swirl of the stress bucket known as the end of the school year. When I am stressed, my thyroid goes a little nuts and it causes me to retain fluid. Not pretty, but it is something I am learning to navigate. So, those three weeks where I gained three pounds and then lost nothing were actually an encouragement to me. You see, I knew I was still eating really well for the most part, and that under the cosmetic puffiness (to use a nice term), I knew I was losing weight. Call it a little faith in myself for once--something I haven't had in a long time. Since last Friday, I've lost 11 pounds. I think that is a direct reflection of what stress does to me. Since January, I've lost the nice round number of 30 pounds.

I'm going to trust you all with a little secret. I'm going to show you some before and after pictures. I had emailed them to some folks, but I'm feeling brave for once. Some of you may know what it is like to get the "stares" of disgust or to be treated like you don't exist. I'm trying to get over that, so I'll post them.

This is me at my heaviest in Sept. '06. Reactions to medication and an unstable thyroid in addition to eating crud got me to that point. I even had to cut my hair because of what the medication was doing to it. One of the not-so-fun things about my job? The yearly picture. I cried when I saw this the first time; then, I just started praying for change.



So, that school year I tried to lose weight. However, I didn't really start losing the weight in a more consistent way until after this picture was taken. This is Sept. '07.


When the weight-loss challenge was made from Ssssteve to Wyatt, I quietly hoped I'd be asked to join in. I needed some people in the same boat as me. I'd been having a hard time with some stuff and my home life isn't the best, so losing weight was something I was beginning to think I would not be able to do; it was just one more thing to deal with. Sometimes dealing with the weight is easier to ignore, especially since I'm an emotional and stress eater.

So, when I was asked if I wanted to join the challenge, I decided that it was time to not only work on just losing the weight, but that it was also time to work on the psychology behind my weight--why I eat, and the impact of specific foods on my body. I'm getting better at both. So, here is where I am at the moment. I took these with my cell phone Wednesday night before the concert.




Now, while I probably won't look 16 again, this is my general goal. Hopefully, this time next year or (more realistically) Christmas '09, I'll have met my goal. I would consider that a major blessing and answer to prayer.



I will post about this one last time Monday. However, I will post monthly progress in my side bar until I reach my goal.

12 comments:

Snigglefrits said...

I'm doing one heck of a big Happy Dance for you RT!

Congrats on this week's 11 pounds! Congrats on getting healthier and happier.

Keep up the great work, but know you already look like dynamite!!

Buckaroo Banzai said...

Great stuff! Congratulations!

Big Bad Wolf said...

Absolutely fantastic RT. Way to go! I know how hard it can be to do what you just did.

Just remember, you can't stop just because the bet is over. Keep it up and the rewards just keep on comin'.

Dionne said...

Congrats!!! And I'm proud of you for being brave and posting the pics. You look great!!

USA_Admiral said...

Congrats!

I never thought about the school picture thing. It would make me hate cameras even more.

My Wife and sister in-law have the hypothyroidism and when ever the stress thing happens they cannot loose weight no matter what.

Looking Good! It is funny how much longer it takes to shed that to add. I have battled with my weight since I got out of the Air Force in 1988.

If I had the choice to post a picture of me on the internet or quit blogging by having my hands ripped off; The hands would come off with out a second thought.

Sezme said...

Snigglefrits
I'm doing the happy dance, too!

Thanks. (Still a mess from the neck down, but getting better. One day at a time.)

Wyatt
Back at ya!

Big Bad Wolf
Thank you, and I don't plan on stopping until I'm about a size 10. I have to go by size, because of self-perception.

Dee
I don't like pictures of myself. I noticed a change, though and took the pictures to place next to the old ones for myself. When I saw the difference, I sent it out to some folks, but then decided to post them, too.

Admiral
Staying away from as much man-made/processed foods as possible has really helped. I also try eat high-water content foods to keep feeling full. Otherwise, I'd eat everything in site. On my bad days, it most certainly has happened. People don't understand just how much the thyroid controls: mood, weight, tiredness/alertness, skin, hair, other stuff....crazy. I'm really happy that I've been able to do what I've done, because it is so hard. I believe praying a lot has helped, too. I just want to give my body a chance to be healthy.

Rogue said...

In the words of my dad, Darth Vader:

Impressive...most impressive.

Anonymous said...

Wow, I stumbled across your blog by searching for information on Alycia Lane and Larry Mendte. I read a comment you left and decided to check it out.

The only thing I can really say is Congratulations! Keep up the good work. You must feel so much better already.

A good book to read (if you haven't already) is by Dr. Oz called "YOU: On a Diet". Since I've been following his advice I haven't been depressed (which I've suffered many years with) and dropped the weight.

I wish you the best of luck. God Bless!

Sezme said...

Rogue
Thank you. I've got a long way to go before men drool, though.

Donna
Those two are a boat load of crazies, eh? I didn't like either of them, so I won't miss seeing them on t.v.

Thank you! My cousin gave me a a Barnes & Noble gift card for Christmas that I haven't spent yet, and I think I will check out the book tomorrow.

Losing weight is weird. You're happy you're losing weight, but at the same time you realize you are still disgusting looking to most people (especially the opposite sex) and well, that is pretty depressing. My attributes seem lose out to the weight.

(Yep, having an "I'm a disgusting slob" day.)

Thank you for your kind words.

Anonymous said...

Was that last one taken before a Bon Jovi concert? HA!

Really though, congratulations.

Captain America said...

Who are you and what have you done with Donna? big UPs Girl!

Sezme said...

JT
That was my mall hair, before I went blonde and stuck-a-finger-in-an-electric-socket.

Thanks. I've got many more pounds to lose, but all of this encouragement really helps and is really appreciated.

C/A
I'm the newly improving Donna. :)

Thanks!