AutumnPunkin

So I have been so amazed by my weight loss so far, and am seeing my body transform. So far I have lost 164 pounds, and am beginning to wonder about that article of clothes that has been elusive to me forever. The bikini. Generally I feel like it is not something that is important, but yet, I cannot stop the feeling that this article of clothing (or lack of ) is a rite of passage. Here I am, 30 years old and have never worn a bikini. I would love to wear one, but am unsure if my body type is "accepting" of such a revealing outfit. One thing to remember is that I am sure very few people are ever comfortable in a bikini. So why do we, as in myself, aspire to achieve this. I have decided this summer I will wear a bikini, I will have excess skin, and will feel self conscious. So I have also decided I will wear a white tank over said bikini. When it gets wet, you can see my bikini, but also hides my skin. Seems like a lot of hassle for this elusive bikini. Does it even count? Why wear a bikini if you are just going to hide. It. My theory, it is not the view itself of wearing the bikini, but the act of being able to wear one, even if I am the only one who sees it. I am looking forward to wearing a black bikini, white tank and cutoff denim jean shorts. Cute outfit, and yet something I can look forward to. I cannot help but wonder about the double standards we put on ourselves in the summer and how much we as women yearn for something like this. The bikini after all is meant to make us feel sexy and desired. Who wouldn't want to feel that way, especially after feeling so self neglectful and self - loathing for so long. The idea, at least to feel like I can share some of that excitement, but within my own comfort seems like a win win. What are your thoughts about the bikini? Have you been able to wear one "successfully" at least by your own definition?

Wow, these are some awesome victories! !! Way to go!

I recently celebrated a huge victory! My stomach (around the belly button) went from 63 inches down to 34 inches!!! Almost 30 inches lost. Holy moly! !!! That is unfathomable. Even better my waist (my skinny part) is 31 inches, from 56 inches. So crazy! !! Measure those inches they matter!! Sw 333 pounds, size 24 Cw- 174 pounds, size 12/14 canadian/10 american Height 5'6" Shout out your victories!

It is so funny how weight is. I am hoping to be a size 6-8 depending on what my body decides to keep it at. I am currently 5'6" and weight 174 pounds and am currently a size 12/14 canadian size or 10 American. my initial goal weight is 156 pounds (normal body weight), but the body can decide where I go after that. I am quite bony now, and plan to focus on toning in the new year. sw 333 Cw 174

Here are my before and after. Today is my 1 year surgiversary! Started at 333 pounds and currently 173 pounds I have 17 pounds to go until goal!!!

I agree! Would love to participate in a Christmas or new years one!

Please be forewarned, I have added a few skin photos. So today is also my surgiversary! !! When I started this journey, I knew I was a big girl, but I never knew how big. This has not been an easy year as you know, but it has been totally worth it!! I started this journey at 333 pounds. I currently weigh 173 pounds. I have lost exactly 160 pounds. I have lost 90% of my excess body weight. I feel like I have been successful on this journey and the team will be proud. I am not a poster child for this journey, but I have made so many changes in my life, that I feel I am a healthy person now. I love my life, love my body and I could not have made a better decision for myself. There are a few things I have personally learned this year that I would like to share. 1. This is a horrible mind game! You have heard this before, but it is terrible. There are some days I feel like I am never losing more weight and will get fat again, and have not changed anything.. This is a cycle. Most days are great! But just remember, like susan always days, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Give yourself a break! 2. Fiber and water!!! Bowel movements are very important! 3. Fitness. Learn to love it, learn to embrace it. This is something that everyone should embrace. I highly recommend it. If you have physical ailments that inhibit you from doing one thing, do something else. I cannot express how important this one is! Although some days the scale defines me, I try not to let it define me. I am at a stage now where every pound does not come off without a lot of work!! So that is a huge victory, both scale and non - scale. The excess skin, I have it, and it sucks. But it does not define me nor does it bother me. It hides well in clothing and I don't care. To show, I have added some before skin photos and after skin photos to show. You can also see in my other photos, the skin isn't a big deal with clothing on. Thank you for being there for me over the last year! So, here are some pictures!

My goal was 160 pounds. Today I am 175 pounds. Ouch.... oh well, I did lose and am proud of myself!

178 again, still trying to lose some of that gain. I will not make my surgiversary goal of 160 pounds . But that's ok, I am not far from it? Who is in for another challenge after? Perhaps Christmas? Lol

Gained 3 pounds this week 178

175! Down a bit. I will definitely not make my goal of 160 pounds, but I am ok with that! ! Woohoo

I am down to 177 pounds woohoo!!

Oh my devil!! You look amazing!!! I love the red hair, you are rocking it!! You look so much healthier and happier!

I am really hoping to do tough mudder as well! I am not sure I will be ready. I have done several 5k runs so far and finally have my time much better, I have also done a 10k run recently. I am definitely doing the spartan races next year, but tough mudder scares the poop out of me lol. I soooooooo want to do it though <3

Just finished another 5k run last night! The neon run. Only took me 32 minutes to do the run!!! Best time yet!

I am no where near goal, and that is ok. I will not meet my goal as the weight is coming off slow, but meh! I am still exercising and eating well! Cannot ask for anything better. For september I lost 8 pounds so far, nothing to complain about <3

Woohoo dropped another pound. Better than gaining Fridays weigh in 179 pounds Beat those 180's

Thank you everyone for the amazing feedback. I feel very comfortable in my skin, and find it funny sometimes. For example the other day I was laying on my side, my skin fell to said side and they was a fist size gap in my pants from where the skin used to sit and my hips bones, it was hilarious. Everyone here is so.amazing, and I hope to show you all again in the next few months how my skin has changed again over time. I feel pretty awesome and life is great. Excess skin is scary, but skin does shrink a little. Unfortunately it can take up to 2 years for some elasticity and collagen to return. Ok so I will never have a beach babe bod, meh, who cares. I can walk, run, and do everything now. The sky is the limit!! You all motivate me to live my life awesomely!

Did not lose this week, holding steady at 180 pounds. At least I didn't gain woohoo.

I bought Clip in hair extensions! I love them. It decreases the hair loss that occurs from hair extensions. Also, I don't have to sleep in them. I really like "fancy hair extensions"

For me, I am training for tough mudder right now June 2015, whistler British Columbia! I have already done a 5k, 10k, mud runs. Next year I want to train for the spartan race and tough mudder!!

Starting weight 183 Current Weight 180 pounds!! Woohoo stall is over! Lost to go to get to goal of 160 pounds 20 to go.

So today I was asked about excess skin. So I wanted to share my skin. Warning there are photos of me in my bra. So a little about me. I had gastric bypass on Halloween 2013. Hw: 333 pounds Surgery weight: 283 pounds Current weight: 180 pounds Estimated excess skin weight from doctor: 20 pounds Height 5 foot 6 inches Size 10 stretchy, size 12 regular fit, size 14 tight fit. Size M shirts Size WHEN I started 4xl I will try to attach some before, after and skin photos. Goal weight 140-150 pounds. Goal life: healthy, and live life to the fullest I wanted to share these because I look not so bad with clothing. I don't like having the excess skin, but it doesn't define me. Remember it can take up to two years for skin to shrink. I am not ashamed of my excess skin. Do I wish it was gone, yes I do, but life unhealthy was much worse I hope this does not deter you to lose weight and have this surgery, because this life is so much better and it is worth it! Let me know if you have any questions I will likely do this again when I hit goal weight. As you can see in the below pictures, I still have a lot of adipose tissue in the skin, so I am sure it will get better Cheers!

This is something I wonder about of. I am 10 months out, and am trying to eat mindfully. It is so hard to listen to your body. Sometimes I graze, bad niki, but most times I try to pay attention. The hardest part is to not let yourself get too hungry. I seem to be missing the cue from my body that tells me I am hungry vs "now I have been to hungry too long and want to eat everything" lol

My wls was on Halloween 2013