Before & After Pics/Update at 11 month point

Hi all!

It's been awhile since I've had the chance to post.  Mom had a stroke, and I've spent every extra moment caring for her.  She's home now, and we're hoping for a full recovery some day.  With that and her back surgery in September, she's been in and out of the hospital and nursing homes for almost 4 months.  It's been a tough year.

Even though it's not always easy to make good choices when living between work, hospital, rehab, her home and mine... I've stuck with the program pretty well.  I'm 15 pounds BELOW the original goal my doc and I set at surgery time, but he gave his okay, as long as I don't go below 150 pounds.  I'm happy and comfortable now at 153 (a nice healthy BMI of 22).  That's a total loss of 145 pounds since pre-op and 151 from my highest weight ever.  I'm still logging every morsel I eat and still getting 60+ grams of protein in while keeping my calories between 600-800 most days.

I can tell you this surgery was one of those "meant to be" things in life.  There is no way I could've juggled everything I've been doing for Mom (on top of my already busy life) while carrying around the extra weight that was equivalent to 3 1/2 full Sparklett's Water bottles!  Now, when one 5 gallon water bottle is delivered to my door and I haul it in to the kitchen, I am amazed at how my poor body was able to carry those extra 145 pounds.

Anyway, I feel GREAT.  I know I look a lot better, and I'm definitely healthier.  And sooooo much happier.  I didn't realize how depressed I was when I was severely obese.  I remember wishing every night that I just wouldn't have to wake up in the morning.  Now I go to bed at night smiling as I mull over all the new clothes I get to wear in the morning!

Okay, here's a before and after as of today.  

For those of you still working towards your goals - you can do it!  Don't ever give up... the destination is well worth the journey!!!

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you look great!! I am almost  six months out and I am down 90 lbs from my hw of 294 had my rny on 7/13/15 Thanks for the encouragement. I often wonder will I reached my goal I have not seen under 200 in 30 years let alone being 160 lbs thanks again

Corrie, you have done so amazingly well.  I am so sorry to hear about your Mom, but you're right.  Everything you did to get healthy has made it possible for you to care for your Mom during this tough time.  Also, you look fabulous!

Thank you mschwab - you've been an inspiration to me from the very beginning.  

Here is another one... what's sad is the in the BEFORE pic here, I had already lost 50 pounds.  I never in my wildest dreams believed I would end up looking like I do today.  And feeling so great.  That weight is NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER coming back!!!  

Sometimes it's hard to wrap my mind around the fact that my achievement this time isn't just temporary and that I won't just gain it all back like I always did in the past (time after time after time).  Trust me, I know I will always have to work at it and it's not always easy - and will probably be more difficult at 4, 5, 6 or more years out.  But this tool is the most amazing thing I've ever been given, and I'm gonna make it work for me.  Not just right now.  Not just until my next thing I wanna be thin for.  But for LIFE.  

What an amazing new way to live.  I LOVE IT!!!

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Looking amazing Corrie! Congratulations! 

WOW!!!

You look beautiful. Way to go!

YOU LOOK AMAZING!  

Thanks everyone!  I don't think I would've been as successful as I have been if it hadn't been for this website.  The daily menu threads gave me such great ideas when I didn't know what to eat.  And when I was desperate and the scale was stuck for weeks, you gave me hope.  And when I had victories, I couldn't wait to come here and share, knowing people just like me would give me that pat on the back.  When I needed guidance, you were there.  

And I will be back as often as I can to help stay on track.  Maybe some day I'll even be able to call myself a vet here.  

Thanks again, everyone!!!

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