OK, I need some help. As some of you know, I had an emotional issue with before and after pictures last weekend. The after pictures were all so perfect, and I got discouraged. Scott always says “see it for what it is, for what is real” but with these before/after pics, I have no conception of what is real, what is possible. I only have the advertiser’s airbrushed, Photoshopped, perfect ideals. In my 100 Day’s Journal, I said it would be cool if we had a place here at MTM for real before/after shots. Gina said before/current as she’s not yet an after. Me neither. Then I remembered the Sweaty T-Shirt Contest thread, and so I came up with the Then and Now Full Body Challenge.
It would help me out a lot if you could show me some real then/now pics. I know some of you have posted full body before pics, Bree and Carlyn come to my mind. You’ve only seen my before face in my original avatar. Lots of us have posted current pics, me included. I would like a place to come and see these photos all in one place, to get a feel for Real Results from Real People! Could you please help me out?
Since I’m a great believer in the down ‘n dirty truth, I’ll take a BIG breath, a REALLY BIG Breath, and post my then and now pics first. It’s lonely here all by myself, please join in!
So, at not quite 5’2”, Then at 330 (with my cane), and Now at 225.
Wow, Deb, you look great! I love this thread. I’m going to have to resize some of my pics to fit, and get Hubby to take one of me today. I’ll update this post with the shots.
Thanks so much for posting your pictures. What an inspiration you are!!!! 105 lbs GONE!!!! You’re amazing!!! I’m still working on my after so I don’t have any pictures to share but looking at your pictures gives me great hope. Stand tall and be proud of you great accomplishment.
Wow Deb. What an amazing difference. Don’t get discouraged that your now picture is work in progress. I see mostly progress and possibilities. You are amazing and an inspiration to everyone here.
Gina - Your now picture is in a dance club?? You must really get into dancing, it looks like you’ve been working out. Love the now smile too.
Hey Deb, first off I got to say, you look great! It’s funny,not only have you shed 105lbs,you have found happiness and the picture shows it. You look confident and proud!
Gina, looks like your efforts are paying off,you look wonderful! you also look so much more happy!
I’m going to see if I can find an old picture with my conjoined twin(my gut).
Thanks for all the kind comments guys !
And thanks for the pics Gina!
Somehow I knew you’d jump right on this Bree, looking forward to seeing your pics when you get them together!
Thanks for jumping in Shawn!
I know finding that old picture was the hardest for me, I didn’t allow that many pictures taken of me then. I went back through 2 years and only found 2 full body pics…
Thanks for joining in, and I look forward to many more to come!
WOW!!! Deb, you’re really looking good! Looking at the two pictures, you’ve had a total transformation! In your before picture, I can tell you were in pain, physical and mental. You didn’t want you picture taken. In your current picture, you are standing upright, look confident and happy. Your body is firming up. You look cute! Your Before and After photos ARE inspiring!
Deb, your “after” pictures looks great! Don’t be discouraged—we can really tell by the pictures that you’ve made a *huge* improvement. Gina, you’re looking great, too. Keep up the good work!
And, of course, I’ll take you up on your challenge, and I’m going full-frontal! Though I haven’t lost nearly as much as you, Deb, it’s enough to make a difference for me: about 25 pounds. The first picture was taken in the summer of 2005 when I was travelling in Europe. The second was taken about a month ago at a karaoke bar, which is why I’m not facing the camera.
Very cool thread, Deb! Thanks for starting it. There’s no way I would have volunteered if you hadn’t blazed the trail!
The difference in you is amazing, Deb. As others have said, your whole attitude change shows so clearly in those photos - you look tired and unhappy in the first, and full of life and energy in the second. Your more fit body just happens to be a very nice bonus!
I don’t have a photo of any kind from my highest weight (about 275 lbs.), but I found this one taken in 2001 when I was in the 260-265 range. I just took the current one this afternoon (I weighed in at 231 this morning), so it’s about a 30 pound difference.
The biggest difference is my hair! I stopped coloring it not long after that photo was taken and I haven’t looked back since!
I’m holding out on revealing my “real” before picture. I’ve got three full-length shots of me in a bathing suit (one piece thank God!), front, profile, and the ever-lovely rear view.
Maybe at the end of the year, when (not if) I meet my goal of weighing in under 200 pounds, I’ll post them.
Deb, you are my hero! I’m sitting at my keyboard lost for words (and that doesn’t happen very often). Your courage, strength and dignity is such an inspiration to us all. The fact that you share all of this with the community is mind blowing. Thank you.
Julie, Judy and Gina, I love your before and ‘still doing it’ pics! Way to go, Ladies!!
Cant let the ladies have all the fun!just dug up a picture from a couple of years back probably close to the heaviest I’ve been,and heres a new one, I am not a complete work but one in progress
Please excuse the blurryness I dont have a scanner.
Deb… those are incredible before and current photo shots!! For most of us… finding “before” shots is more difficult than finding Jimmy Hoffa’s body, so I am glad we can all find the necessary “before” shots to capture the true essence of your transformations!
Here is my “before” at 275 or so pounds and my “current” after my first 50 pound weight loss (I have lost another 9 pounds since my “current” picture.)
Cant let the ladies have all the fun!just dug up a picture from a couple of years back probably close to the heaviest I’ve been,and heres a new one, I am not a complete work but one in progress
Please excuse the blurryness I dont have a scanner.
Whoa Shawn… that is an amazing change!! Also, I love the Garfield clock!
You are all so brave for posting your pictures. You all have reason to stand tall and be proud. Amazing!!!!
Deb, Gina, Julie and Judy...Wow!!
Tim, I saw your pics before and they are awesome. You are looking fabulous my friend. But what about Shawn? Any expletives when you saw his before & after? Man!! It doesn’t even look like the same person. Shawn, you are definitely “SEXAY” now, aren’t you bud?
Now I’ve gotta get out there and do some more sweating so I can get an awesome after picture for you guys.
Wow Guys! I just have to say thanks for stepping up to my challenge and into this thread.
I didn’t create it to be a “Great job, Deb” thread, but my goodness, I do thank you for all the kind comments. Your encouragement and support have deeply touched my heart. Thank you.
I have also been blown away by all those who’ve posted then/now pictures. Thank you so much. Your response has been wonderful and it was what I hoped this thread would become. All of us coming together to celebrate our collective successes; each one of us sharing and inspiring all of Team MTM! Together we’re proving it can be done, and is continually being done by us all!
And I can’t resist a special thanks to our coach. Thanks Scott: thanks for bringing us together, giving us a place to share, and keeping us motivated. I hope you’re as proud of Team MTM as I am. Thank you for the Motivation to Move!
Keep those pics coming guys; it’s gratifying to see you all!
Deb, thank you for creating the thread and thanks to Scott for creating this place!
Deb, I know your reasons were not selfish, but what you have done so far is absoulutly incredible! It amazes me how you are changeing your life one miracle at a time,from having the attitude that you couldn’t do it, to doing it, from not being able to walk without a cain, to not needing one.Do you realize how incredible that is?
To the rest of you, whether its your first day on the boards or you’ve been here forever. Congradulations on making a commitment to change yourselves for the better.It takes courage and great amount of fortitude to admit something needs to be changed, it takes alot more courage to change it.These pictures just show the incredible things we are capable of.
I stopped coloring it not long after that photo was taken and I haven’t looked back since!
