This is just what i needed today.

So, im 5 years post op and im learning to be happy with my weight loss but im also determined to get back to my lowest weight. Ive gained 40lbs since my lowest weight and ive shed 10 of those so i have 30 lbs to go BUT i was uploading some beach pictures to my computer and ran across an old before picture of me and Jayden. i beat myself up alot over not maintaining my lowest weight so i REALLY needed to see these and its made me feel a little better about how far ive come. I will continue to lose but its really nice to stop and see how far youve come. SO, if your beating yourself up compair pictures!!! Dont try to be so negative! Its helped me today!

What an amazing transformation!  You son is just adorable and you are stunning!  Girl, you have accomplished much, and I wonder where you'd be today if you hadn't had the surgery?  I'll bet you are SO MUCH better off now than you would've been.

Please do not hold yourself to a specific number--eat right, exercise and your body will "land" on its ideal weight, be it 10 lbs less or 30 lbs less than where you are now.

You are a success and continue to be an inspiration to me.  Happy Surgiversary my friend!!

Kim

Thank you! I feel bloated all the time so i really want to drop some more weight bc i just felt better and honestly i felt pretty then. I know im pretty now its just hard to see it!

Your totally right about eating right and exercise, thats the only thing ive changed. i think about what i put in my mouth when before i didnt.

Again thank you, you are such an inspiration to ME!!

Hillary,

I think you are beautiful.  I just do not see a "big" person.  You really should not beat yourself up.  I think you have done a great job, and you have shown me that you keep trying, that this is not "magic", it is hard work and getting up and dusting yourself off when you "fall". 

Thank you so much for sharing your before photo.  I don't have very many pictures of me at all because I run from the camera.  I am somewhat of a hermit because I don't want people to see me.  Since I work from home, this is pretty easy. 

I think you are a very pretty woman.  I hope you see the same!

Kim

Well PLEASE take a few before surgery. a front shot and a side shot. Then do it every month. or every 3 months. It HELPS. Because your going to stall and then your gonna want to look at the pictures to see how far youve come. I use to do it alot when i was down bc i wasnt a fast loser as some of the other people i had surgery with. So please take pictures!!!

thank you for your kind words! i cant wait til you have surgery! its a long hard ride but SO worth it!! i FEEL much better than before.

Kim, Hilary is sooo right!  I have front, back and side shots from every month for the first year--sometimes my DH and I sit and look back on the progress--we cannot even believe that was me!  As much as you hate it, please document your before pics and your progress along the way.  I promise it will be so worth it.

Oh, and I also kept 1 pair of pants--my favorite ones.  The day I fit my whole body into one leg, I cried.

Kim

i kept my old pants too!! one pair. size 24. i never tried them back on although i DID want to try to fit into one leg of them. i doubt i could now, but i wish i had of tried then.

Did you take a picture of fitting into one leg? you should have if not!

I didn't, but I sure will!

That is a wonderful before and after picture!