OK, seriously, tease. Congrats on the weight loss! I’m also at the big 50, its so exciting. And yay for new, smaller clothes! My scale has the body fat thing, and I believe in it sort of. It fluctuates depending on how hydrated I am (it measures that too). I lost weight, and the thing said I gained 2% of body fat. So, don’t put too much into it. As long as it’s going down you are doing good.

Bree

Clothes shopping… tomorrow.

Bree and I have combined for triple digit weight loss… how cool is that??? That is more weight than Nicole Richie or Paris Hilton or one of the Olsen twins!!

I think I am having a little setback with my new anti-depressant medication (Paxil).

Specifically, I am not attaining as deep of sleep anymore. Fortunately, I wake up in the middle of night and still stress about work, life, etc., but I definitely am not “panicky”. But, I also notice that the slightest sound will wake me up (like a child sneaking into bed with us in the middle of the night). What sort of stinks is that one of the things I look forward to when I exercise is sleeping like a baby that night. Bah.

Then again, maybe I “think” I need more sleep that I really need. I am thinking about going to bed later tonight and see if that helps.

Hunger?? Definitely noticing an increase in hunger with the new medication but I think I am managing that well. I did sneak in a Caramel Delite Girl Scout Cookie the other night, something I have resisted for months but obviously not a big deal. I am looking forward to my daughter’s dance competition this weekend in Madison (WI) and eating my weekly “free” meal at a Microbrewery/Restaurant in that area that we have never been to.

My telephone interview was excellent yesterday… hopefully this leads to more interviews. (I’ll find out next week sometime.) The good news is that I have a lot more confidence at my present weight. I was extremely self-conscious about my weight when I was 50 pounds heavier and interviewing for different jobs. Understandably, the potential employer may be concerned about rising health care costs and don’t want “health risks” driving up insurance premiums. Plus, I have this feeling that potential employers were questioning my work ethic since I was obviously having a difficult time taking care of myself!!

Well… I may be overemphasizing the impact that my weight has on my ability to find gainful employment, but I AM more confident and that probably will have more impact on my ability to find a job than my actual weight!

Here you go Bree and the others… my “Before” and “Most Current After” pictures.

I guess there IS a difference… WHOA! And I still have another 30-35 pounds to lose.

Holy crap Tim, you look amazing! Great job.  The difference in your smile is incredible.

Bree

Thanks Bree!!

When you say “difference in your smile”, are you referring to my “Before” picture and the expression that states “please don’t take a picture of me”? 

I’ll keep chuggin’… I still have some work to do!

Actually, I am formulating a plan to join the “100 Days of Exercise Challenge” so I can increase my physical activity to also incorporate weight training in my regiment!

Way to go Tim.....that is fantastic....!

Keep up the great work!

A definate differance..Way to go! 

Thanks so much for the kind words, Tom and Jenni!

Today, I am wearing my new work clothes which include a dress shirt with the smaller collar and 36” waist kahkis. I am not used to these slightly tighter clothes, but I am already adjusting to them. I definitely need to resume working on my abs (haven’t done that in several weeks) and start doing some weight training. My first goal was to go from “large pear” to “small pear” and my next goal is to go from “small pear” to “toned”.

Yesterday, I put all of my “really fat” clothes in a garbage bag and stuck it in the basement. (Between all of the XXL shirts, pants, work clothes, etc., I completely filled up a large garbage bag!) Of course, I plan on taking this stuff to Goodwill… as I said before, I will not be needing these clothes anymore so why keep them around?

You look great! Congrats! I love bagging up old clothes that are too big and giving them to Good Will! You must feel so good!

Tim,
You look awesome dude!!  You look like a totally different person in the after shot.  I can see the confidence in your smile in the after shot!!  Watch out world here comes Tim and he is a man on a mission.  You go get em!!  No holds bared dude!!  I think you are going to get the job of your dreams, I can just feel it!!

Here’s to healthy living,

Scooby

Thanks ScoobyDoo and… uh… EmmiDoo!! 

I really appreciate everyone’s words of encouragement… it really means a lot to me and really helps keep me focused! (Wow… second Monday in a row where I didn’t feel like my world was caving in… WOOT!)

I really hope you are right, scooby (about getting the new job, that is). It feels good that you guys see confidence in my photo… I think that confidence had definitely been a problem for me in the past.

clay/henry - 16 April 2007 12:18 PM

Thanks so much for the kind words, Tom and Jenni!

Yesterday, I put all of my “really fat” clothes in a garbage bag and stuck it in the basement. (Between all of the XXL shirts, pants, work clothes, etc., I completely filled up a large garbage bag!) Of course, I plan on taking this stuff to Goodwill… as I said before, I will not be needing these clothes anymore so why keep them around?

Good for you! Out with the old and in with the new makes ya feel good! I need to go though my closet

Wow - I just caught up with your post and saw the difference.  I can see by your whole posture and expression that you have much more confidence in yourself, and that will surely transfer over to your job interviews.  Body language is important and the new you makes a statement that you are the kind of person who will face the challenges that come your way and succeed.  After all, you already did that with your weight loss.

Hurry and take those clothes to Goodwill NOW! There’s no going back to those, you’re gonna be all buffed and hot soon and we don’t need those old clothes around to mess with your head. And you’re right about the lack of smile in the first shot versus the smile in the second. You’ve done some wonderful things in 50 pounds.

Bree

What a great after picture!