Well.. As sometimes happens, I had this post all typed out and then I lost it. Ain’t that the pits? :-/

I could call these progress shots, or I could call these goal shots as I am 9 lbs away and I am so happy that I feel like I am already a success story, Even though occasionally I still see “Fat Heather” in the mirror, I see her less and less with every passing day. I am only a week and a half away from my surgiversary and I think these are the first “progress pics” I have posted.

Let’s start with the stats.

I started this journey:

Weighing: 302.4 lbs

Wearing: Size 24W pants, 2X shirts

Waist: 50"

I am currently:

Weighing: 164.4 lbs

Wearing: Size 10 pants, M shirts (I think with a tuck I could wear an 8)

Waist: 25"

I have lost 5 ft. total from my bust, waist, and hips alone. I still have a nice, ample 34DD bust and my waist is 25 inches. I am so proud of this, let me tell you.

I also started married and am now divorced. Funny how that happens.

Anyway, enough jabbering before the pictures, but after I will share some NSVs I posted in another thread so maybe stick around to read those?

I guess I should start with those dreaded befores.. The first few in the dark bar are from either late July or early August of 2011 and the last is from September 2nd, 2011 with my sleeve sister on sleeve day.

Before:

Now for the afters (these are WAAAAY more fun!):

August 20th, 2012 (164.4 lbs)

August 4th, 2012 (Idk.. Maybe 170?)

Father's Day 2012 (183 lbs!)

About 25 lbs ago, I was carried around piggy back for the first time since childhood... All around my house. It was the most amazing feeling ever!

21 lbs ago, I got the courage to post the bathing suit picture 2 up on FACEBOOK!!

I can shop for panties and bras at VS..

I think I look my age more now (26), I think.

I wear my 4 and 5" heels with EASE!!

I can sit on my BF's lap and not ever worry about hurting him.

I have freaking defined collarbones! Not the scary kind, but defined and I love them.

I fit into EVERY chair, usually with room to set my purse next to me.. This is sometimes not the case.

I think by the time I hit goal and have my plastics, my measurements will be very, VERY close to 36-25-36.

Men ask for my number in bars and clubs.

I get carded more often.

Doors are opened more often.

I am 110% more confident at work.

Well, (in the words of Forrest, Forrest Gump) That's all I have to say about that! Thank you for reading and viewing and (possibly) commenting.

xxoo

Heather (GemInTheRough, soon to be JustAGem)

did u have a lot of loose skin?

I wouldn't say that I have a lot.. but I definitely have a fair amount on my belly and sagginess on my inner thighs. I want to post a picture of my stomach to keep it real, but I haven't worked up the courage quite yet. I have lost 145 lbs or something around there depending on the day, so it's not anymore than I was expecting. I don't know the weight of the extra skin on my stomach, but I figure it adds at least 3 inches to my hip measurement and as far as my inner thighs go, I hope that the running that I am doing helps with that.. And lotion, lol.. Unlikely but worth a shot. I've lost A LOT from my thighs and several inches from my hips in just the last few months so I am sure that they are in a bit of shock...

For those curious about my leg. Since I have found out that it's peroneal mononueropathy and took the necessary action to try to reverse the nerve damage the feeling has started to return to my lateral calf muscle and most of my foot so I have returned to my runs every other day plus Saturday. I hadn't had feeling in my lateral calf since some time in June.