Last Friday, January 20th marked my six month post-op from my surgery on July 20th, 2011. This has been such an amazing journey...nothing like I could have ever expected. My surgery weight was 264 pounds and today I am weighing in at 185.4 pounds. That is a total loss of 78.6 pounds. (about 80 is what I tell everyone, lol). My ultimate goal this whole journey has been to get to 145, but now after doing some researching, that would be too low for my body fat %. So now I'm just not sure where goal will be for me. I have gone from a size 18W/20 pant to a size 10 and I have lost 9.75" off of my hips alone, 9.5" from my waist, 8" from the girls :Banane20:, 4" off of each arm and 2.5" from my neck. It may be hard for me to see the changes every day but when I look at those numbers and my before pictures, I think there's definitely a difference.

I have learned so much about myself in the past six months and my entire view on food and nutrition has changed for the better. I realized that I don't have to gorge myself at every meal and I don't feel like I failed if I make some wrong decisions in my journey...that there is always my next meal to do right again. I also learned that this is in NO WAY the easy way out and I wish people around me would realize that too. I do my best to eat my six small meals a day with 70 grams of Protein, less than 30-40 grams of carbs, and keep my Water intake above 64 oz. I also go to the gym 3-4 times a week.

Anyways, I was very hesitant on posting these before pictures because they are horrendous, :blushing: but I figure if I inspire even one person on here to keep on their journey, then it's worth it. Plus I don't know any of y'all in person...haha.

Wow, you look great and you've done a phenomenal job on your weight loss!!! You're before pics aren't horrendous at all, but I totally understand what you mean. You are so gorgeous, be proud of your accomplishment!!

:cheer2:

You are so beautiful!! Your pictures & your story are definitely an inspiration for me. Keep up the great work!

Sarah Flagstaffian

You are definitely an inspriation! Looking super fantastic! And, you have that sparkle - it shows. Love it. Great job.

Inspired!!! You look awesome. I can't wait to get to where your at, thanks for posting :cornut:

Thats amazing, im inspired ... Great job.. I cant wait to say these words... keep it up and don't give up to you achive what you want

hi leahg

ok, i am a little confused - i see the nice girl on the left, who the heck is the chic on the right

looking good kiddo :star:

kathy

You have done really well and it shows! Keep rocking that sleeve!

AWESOME JOB! You look gorgeous! Keep Rockin that Sleeve! :xena_banana:

OH MY that gets me excited!!! You are doing awesome!!!

I don't think your before pics are that horrendous, but I am so impressed by how well you are doing. Plus, I love your hair.

If I am looking right, you are wearing the same shirt in both pictures. It is so cool to see how it fits differently now. You can see some of your purple tank top in your chest area in the second picture. it never would have been visible in the before picture. Plus, in the second picture, the shirt comes down so much further on your butt and arms even though it isn't pulled down all the way. It really shows the changes in inches.

Great job!

I don't think your before pics are that horrendous, but I am so impressed by how well you are doing. Plus, I love your hair.

If I am looking right, you are wearing the same shirt in both pictures. It is so cool to see how it fits differently now. You can see some of your purple tank top in your chest area in the second picture. it never would have been visible in the before picture. Plus, in the second picture, the shirt comes down so much further on your butt and arms even though it isn't pulled down all the way. It really shows the changes in inches. :smile1:

Great job!

Thank you! Isn't it great to notice all of the differences? The funny thing is though that I pulled in the extra shirt and clipped it on the side you couldn't see so it wasn't a potato sack on me...hahaha

you look absolutely amazing...you were pretty before and you are gorgeous now.. what a transformation!.. i can't wait to do a six month update.

Keep up the good work.

Awww Leah!! Lookin good miss lady!!

<-------INSPIRED, and feeling more confident! Thank you! Im Five weeks out, and am on a constant roller coaster. Some days I feel like im rocking this thing, and other days..most days, i feel scared and unsure if i will lose even ONE more lb. TY<3

I'm glad I was able to help some of you out The support on this board is AMAZING! Thanks everyone