Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

[kimbat06]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Sarina it has been a while since I have logged on here, but I just wanted to say you look fabulous. Words can't describe how happy I am for you! You are so close! Kim

[SweetCher]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Sarina,

OMG... you have done such a great job! Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. It's so great to see the before and during pictures. You started so beautiful but what you're transforming into is absolutely gorgeous! Congratulations on your success with this way of life! Thanks for leaving the link in my journal. You are an inspiration!

[pipee_pl]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Hi Pepee_pl!!!!!

You know, I have never done the Grouse Grind but I just might!!!!! It's so popular and I don't live to far away from Vancouver (Hence the Vancouver Canucks joursey in my during pictures) to make it out there and do it.

Congratulations to you for doing it in August, way to go.....nicely done!!!!! Were you pretty sore afterwards? Maybe one of these days we'll meet up there and do it together!!! I think I'm getting close in my fitness level to try such a thing....the other day I had taken my mother in law in to see my doctor (we have the same doctor) and we were talking about blood pressure and low pulse...I told him my pulse was low the other day...he said, "Do you know why you're pulse is so low now" I said, "No, not a clue"......and then he said something that a was music to my ears....he said, "It's because you're fit now."....what a thing to hear....I can't tell you how great that was to be told!!!!

So, hey....you never know....you and I might end up doing the Grouse Grind together one of these days!!!!!

Stay in touch and let me know how things are going for you!

All the best,
Sarina
-----------------------------
Heaviest weight - 403 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs. (This is when I initially started to lose weight…but was not on Atkins at this point)
Atkins start weight – 347 lbs. (July 19, 2008 – began Atkins)
1st major goal met -----100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day – From April 1-08 when I initially begin to lose weight.
2nd major goal met - 151 lbs. lost as of Jan 13, 2009 - Hit 249 lbs. on this day.
3rd major goal met - Wed, May 13-09 - Reached losing 200 lbs. in just over a year and a couple of months.
4th major goal met – Reached “Onederland” June 6-09 – 198 lbs.
5th major goal met - My 1 yr. Atkins anniversary - Weighing 184 lbs. this day
Current weight – 177 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

The Grouse Grind was one of the hardest things I have ever done- but well worth it!!
We go to Vancouver and Whistler in August- I will definately do it again, I need to beat my previous time!

[Sarina D]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Thank you Sarina for such kind and supporting words. I will certainly take you up on the offer of pm-ing you when I'm going through those valleys. And I'm going to try doing two workouts a day also. I also love the before and after pictures, it really makes a difference to see the results in real life. There are so many people on here like yourself who have done so well and are such an inspiration to the rest of us. I could, and have, easily spent hours looking and reading. I will take your advice to heart and I have promised myself that this is not just a diet, not just something I'm doing until the weight comes off, this is it. I know that with the support of you, this board and so many on it along with the support of my family and friends I can do this. You have such a generous spirit, thank you.

I hope that you are feeling better!! We'll talk again soon.

Hi Beanie,

You bet you can do it!!!! There's no doubt in my mind you can....I always say, if I can do this anyone can. See I have so many food allergies I am extremely limited to what foods I can eat....the list is so short I kid you not it would make anyone roll their eyes and give up....but even though I am so limited, I have made this way of eating work for me with what I CAN eat. There are so many great choices and wonderful recipes for people who are not limited that there is no reason one can't make this luxurious way of eating work.

I'm so excited to hear you're going to fit in two workouts a day....try making one cardio based and the other training a different part of your body....for example. I will run on my glider, or I'll bike on my stationary bike for one of my workouts (mind you I always add some abdominal exercises along with my cardio if I have the time) and then for my other workout I focus on say my upper body, working my biceps, triceps, chest etc with hand weights.....and then the next day I do my cardio and then for my second work out I work my core/abdominal area....then the day after that I do my cardio again and for my second work out I work the lower part of my body...legs/outer and inner/butt/calves etc....so I rotate each day. See if this sort of routine works for you....it's important to let each part of your body have a day of rest in between.

I'm so proud of you Beanie, keep up the great work and be sure to stay in touch with me okay....I'm so glad we've met each other!

Hugs,
Sarina
--------------
Heaviest weight - 403 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs. (This is when I initially started to lose weight…but was not on Atkins at this point)
Atkins start weight – 347 lbs. (July 19, 2008 – began Atkins)
1st major goal met -----100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day – From April 1-08 when I initially begin to lose weight.
2nd major goal met - 151 lbs. lost as of Jan 13, 2009 - Hit 249 lbs. on this day.
3rd major goal met - Wed, May 13-09 - Reached losing 200 lbs. in just over a year and a couple of months.
4th major goal met – Reached “Onederland” June 6-09 – 198 lbs.
5th major goal met - My 1 yr. Atkins anniversary - Weighing 184 lbs. this day
Current weight – 174 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

You're THE BOMB !!!! I bet you life's so much different for you now, and that you feel much better at this point in your journey.

You're a great writer, thanks for expressing yourself I get a lot out of it.

Well thank you Pete!!!!! Man alive this is soooo embarrassing but I'm going to share something with you...hopefully it makes you laugh the way it made me laugh....Pete, I actually had to look up what "THE BOMB" meant...what can I say...I'm sooooooo terribly out of touch !!!!!! You're toooooo awesome, thanks a million for the great compliments....you made my day!

Yes you are so right, I can't even begin to express how much better I feel at this point in my weight loss journey...there is just NOOOO comparison!

Thanks for the feedback regarding my writing....I always feel I SUCK when writing....I'm more of a phone, Skype, messenger or in person chatter....writing has NEVER been my thing....I really appreciate your feedback and I'm glad that what I'm writing comes across ok...thanks so much for that!

Be sure to stay in touch when you have the time and thank you for popping by and reading how my journey has gone to date and for leaving me such a great post!

All the very best to you!
Sarina
---------------------
Heaviest weight - 403 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs. (This is when I initially started to lose weight…but was not on Atkins at this point)
Atkins start weight – 347 lbs. (July 19, 2008 – began Atkins)
1st major goal met -----100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day – From April 1-08 when I initially begin to lose weight.
2nd major goal met - 151 lbs. lost as of Jan 13, 2009 - Hit 249 lbs. on this day.
3rd major goal met - Wed, May 13-09 - Reached losing 200 lbs. in just over a year and a couple of months.
4th major goal met – Reached “Onederland” June 6-09 – 198 lbs.
5th major goal met - My 1 yr. Atkins anniversary - Weighing 184 lbs. this day
Current weight – 174 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Butterbeanie]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Thank you Sarina for such kind and supporting words. I will certainly take you up on the offer of pm-ing you when I'm going through those valleys. And I'm going to try doing two workouts a day also. I also love the before and after pictures, it really makes a difference to see the results in real life. There are so many people on here like yourself who have done so well and are such an inspiration to the rest of us. I could, and have, easily spent hours looking and reading. I will take your advice to heart and I have promised myself that this is not just a diet, not just something I'm doing until the weight comes off, this is it. I know that with the support of you, this board and so many on it along with the support of my family and friends I can do this. You have such a generous spirit, thank you.

I hope that you are feeling better!! We'll talk again soon.

[PeteinVA]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

You're THE BOMB !!!! I bet you life's so much different for you now, and that you feel much better at this point in your journey.

You're a great writer, thanks for expressing yourself I get a lot out of it.

[Sarina D]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Congratulations! You are a great inspiration to me.

Thanks so much LastChance, that means a great deal to me...I appreciate you stopping by and reading about my journey and taking the time to leave me such a wonderful message.

How are things going for you? When you have the time I would love to learn a bit more about your personal journey!

All the best,
Sarina
---------------
Heaviest weight - 403 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs. (This is when I initially started to lose weight…but was not on Atkins at this point)
Atkins start weight – 347 lbs. (July 19, 2008 – began Atkins)
1st major goal met -----100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day – From April 1-08 when I initially begin to lose weight.
2nd major goal met - 151 lbs. lost as of Jan 13, 2009 - Hit 249 lbs. on this day.
3rd major goal met - Wed, May 13-09 - Reached losing 200 lbs. in just over a year and a couple of months.
4th major goal met – Reached “Onederland” June 6-09 – 198 lbs.
5th major goal met - My 1 yr. Atkins anniversary - Weighing 184 lbs. this day
Current weight – 177 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Helena-in-England]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Congratulations! You are a great inspiration to me.

[Sarina D]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Sarina, all I have to say is....WAY TO GO!!! Woman you have done a spectacular job and you must be beside yourself with joy over your weight loss. You're a beautiful lady

Well hey Dez, is it ever nice to see you here!!!! Thanks so much for popping by leaving me such a lovely message!

I have to say, I am feeling rather excited about my weight loss now. For the longest time....probably up till a couple of months ago or so I wasn't really able to see how I've really changed....I know, sounds odd but true. I have been sooooo focused on what I need to accomplish each day in order to be successful in my weight loss journey that I haven't really been looking at the accomplishment itself till not too long ago.

I am indeed pretty excited that I am where I am a year and a bit after starting....I would NEVER have dreamed that I would be at this point so soon. It's been an amazing journey....filled with many peeks and way too many valleys that I would LOVE to forget about but you know what.....climbing out of each of those valleys has strengthened me.....sort of like all the exercising has strengthened me physically, the valleys have strengthened me emotionally so to speak and have made me a better person....so despite how much I have detested the valleys when I fall into one, I am grateful for the lessons I have learned.

Thanks so much for stopping by Dez, it means a lot to me.

Keep in touch!
Sarina
--------------------
Heaviest weight - 403 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs. (This is when I initially started to lose weight…but was not on Atkins at this point)
Atkins start weight – 347 lbs. (July 19, 2008 – began Atkins)
1st major goal met -----100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day – From April 1-08 when I initially begin to lose weight.
2nd major goal met - 151 lbs. lost as of Jan 13, 2009 - Hit 249 lbs. on this day.
3rd major goal met - Wed, May 13-09 - Reached losing 200 lbs. in just over a year and a couple of months.
4th major goal met – Reached “Onederland” June 6-09 – 198 lbs.
5th major goal met - My 1 yr. Atkins anniversary - Weighing 184 lbs. this day
Current weight – 177 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Goodness, Sarina. You really are an inspiration. Your dedication, will, and accomplishments are wondrous. Wrap that all up in a friendly and helpful personality and I am left just shy of speechless (and let me tell you, I am rarely speechless... much to the dismay of a few people I am sure ).

What you have done, and are doing, is nothing short of remarkable. Remember to take some time every now and again to give yourself the accolades you deserve... because you deserve them.

Tom

Tom,

Thank you soooo much, you're post means a great deal to me.....you're a real sweetheart and very kind.

My goodness, look at what you've accomplished my friend, 160 lbs gone......you have done a remarkable job yourself and should be so very proud! That is quite a change and I'm so proud of you for committing yourself to making such a change in your life. I know what it's like and I know how tough it can be....way to go! What sort of exercise program are you on?

I'm so glad you stopped by again, it's great to hear from you. How is everything going for you these days? How was your summer? Keep in touch when you're able and let me know what is new in your life.

I'm actually sick this weekend so these messages have brought me much cheer! Something has gotten a hold of me and is really giving me difficulties with my lungs...which is not good because I have asthma as it is so it's a wee bit scary when my lungs are attacked. I'm hoping this passes fairly quickly.

I thought about heading to the hospital tonight because of how tight my lungs are and how rotten I'm feeling but I think I'll wait. I have a nebulizer machine here at home with medication (you breath the medication through a mask) which is what they would give me at the hospital....so hopefully I won't have to make a trip in....I HATE doing that!

Oh well, enough grumbling on my part LOL!!!! Sorry for pulling a little rant

Thank you for the on going support and encouragement Tom....it's much appreciated!

Stay in touch when you're able.

All the best,
Sarina
-------------------------
Heaviest weight - 403 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs. (This is when I initially started to lose weight…but was not on Atkins at this point)
Atkins start weight – 347 lbs. (July 19, 2008 – began Atkins)
1st major goal met -----100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day – From April 1-08 when I initially begin to lose weight.
2nd major goal met - 151 lbs. lost as of Jan 13, 2009 - Hit 249 lbs. on this day.
3rd major goal met - Wed, May 13-09 - Reached losing 200 lbs. in just over a year and a couple of months.
4th major goal met – Reached “Onederland” June 6-09 – 198 lbs.
5th major goal met - My 1 yr. Atkins anniversary - Weighing 184 lbs. this day
Current weight – 177 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Desihue]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Sarina, all I have to say is....WAY TO GO!!! Woman you have done a spectacular job and you must be beside yourself with joy over your weight loss. You're a beautiful lady

[Ensifer]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Goodness, Sarina. You really are an inspiration. Your dedication, will, and accomplishments are wondrous. Wrap that all up in a friendly and helpful personality and I am left just shy of speechless (and let me tell you, I am rarely speechless... much to the dismay of a few people I am sure ).

What you have done, and are doing, is nothing short of remarkable. Remember to take some time every now and again to give yourself the accolades you deserve... because you deserve them.

Tom

[Sarina D]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Hi Sarina, I know you've heard it quite a few times already but I would just like to add how inspiring I find your story and pictures. I am so determined to lose this weight but at times it feels like I'm fooling myself, kind of like how you felt (I think) in the beginning. I'm going to try your "pretending" to lose weight, what a good idea. Thank you so much for sharing your journey and your pictures. It has made a difference for me. I hope things are going well with you and your family and look forward to following in your footsteps.

Hi Butterbeanie,

Thank you for popping by and taking the time to write to me, it's so good to meet you!

Thank you for your feedback on what I'm doing and my thread, I am so happy to hear that it brings some inspiration.....that was exactly my reason and hope for starting this thread....to give back. I remember last year sitting on my couch surfing the Internet for weight loss information using the Atkins way of eating...I came across this board and stumbled upon this particular thread. I must have read the "Before and During" thread for 5 hours or more alone and stayed on this board the entire day and night just reading and reading and reading....the pictures and stories were of "real life" people having great success and proving this way of eating truly works....it was the proof I needed to become inspired and have the "hope" of the possibilities of weight loss and good health rekindled inside of me that I had lost. So, that is exactly why I have posted my story and my pictures despite how nervous I was to do so. I'm glad my story has made a difference in your life, thank you for sharing that with me....it makes all the other feelings and second thoughts of not doing so fly out the window!

I am soooo glad to hear that you are determined to lose this weight....that is EXACTLY what it takes to do so...shear determination and dedication....good for you for having that and making the commitment to yourself to turn your life around and become healthy, I'm very proud of you for that. My biggest piece of advice for success is NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER give up....no matter how deep the valley may seem that we stumble into from time to time....and believe me there are many peeks and more valleys then I care to look back at! LOL!!!! But know this and believe this...because it is the absolute truth.....you CAN and you WILL lose this weight if you do everything you're suppose to do...and IF for some reason you fall off temporarily (eating something you shouldn't) make sure the VERY next thing you put in your mouth is what you're allowed to eat....don't let a slip up derail you....just get back up and carry on! Come online here, message me, talk with others and get the support and encouragement to get through those tough times when they happen....I have said it time upon time....we're all in this together and none of us are alone. Yes, we as individuals are in charge of our weight loss success, however, it's important to surround oneself with people who care and who will help one climb out of those valleys when one comes our way and we need an extra push to re-surface....not to mention having the chance to also celebrate the victories in our journey to great health and peace....that's important too!

Yes, my "pretending" as I've described it at the beginning of my journey allowed me to create regular habits like my daily exercise routines (before I went to work I would wake up early and fit in a routine and when I came home from work I would fit in my other exercise routine), eating what I needed to each and everyday, drinking the proper amount of water etc. I managed to create a routine that became second nature to me and to this day, I'm sticking to those same things because it is who I am now.

Be sure to keep in touch and private message me anytime or post here on my thread.....I'm totally here for you and I'm walking the walk right alongside of you...we'll get to our goals together!

I KNEW I forgot something.....A BIG congratulations on losing 23 lbs so far.....how exciting is that?!?!?!?! You should be VERY proud of yourself for all that you have achieved so far....you're doing great!!!! I'm really proud of you and remember those 23 lbs are behind you now for the rest of your life....keep going....you're doing it!!!!

All the very best to you,
Sarina
-------------
Heaviest weight - 403 lbs. (2007)
April 1, 2008 - 387 lbs. (This is when I initially started to lose weight…but was not on Atkins at this point)
Atkins start weight – 347 lbs. (July 19, 2008 – began Atkins)
1st major goal met -----100 lbs. lost as of Oct 2, 2008 - Hit 300 lbs. on this day – From April 1-08 when I initially begin to lose weight.
2nd major goal met - 151 lbs. lost as of Jan 13, 2009 - Hit 249 lbs. on this day.
3rd major goal met - Wed, May 13-09 - Reached losing 200 lbs. in just over a year and a couple of months.
4th major goal met – Reached “Onederland” June 6-09 – 198 lbs.
5th major goal met - My 1 yr. Atkins anniversary - Weighing 184 lbs. this day
Current weight – 177 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Butterbeanie]

Re: Before and during - From 400 lbs. to 247 lbs. Not done yet!!!

Hi Sarina, I know you've heard it quite a few times already but I would just like to add how inspiring I find your story and pictures. I am so determined to lose this weight but at times it feels like I'm fooling myself, kind of like how you felt (I think) in the beginning. I'm going to try your "pretending" to lose weight, what a good idea. Thank you so much for sharing your journey and your pictures. It has made a difference for me. I hope things are going well with you and your family and look forward to following in your footsteps.