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

[Sarina D]

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

Hi Andie,

Thank you for your patience...I am able to focus better today. I hope you've had an enjoyable weekend and all is going well for you.

When I first started out exercising....I started out just simply walking....that was it. I tried to do it ever night. I remember back now when I first started....I was so embarrassed to walk in the daylight, I didn't want anyone to see me...I was so very ashamed...I have a very outgoing, strong, fiery personality but when it came to my weight and the way I looked....that was another story so I would wait long after dark and ask my husband if he would come out and walk with me. I loved walking down dark streets....I felt at peace...I felt I would not be seen.

My husband talked me into walking around what is called the "Auto Mall" in our area...it consists of many, many car dealerships side by side in a very large, spread out, oval shape......it has some gradual hills as well so we went from walking around dark streets to this oval shaped area which we both quite enjoyed. I remember I felt like I was going to die the first few weeks but I was so angry with myself (due to the huffing and puffing from being out of shape and carrying a great deal of weight around)..I was determined not to give in and before I knew it...things became a wee and I mean wee bit easier and I was able to walk a few more minutes longer and then months after that I was up to more than a lap!

So...that's how I started......walking is the BEST exercise anyone can do...it doesn't cost anything, you can pretty much do it anywhere at anytime...alone or with someone...it's a great overall body workout...and the list of benefits go on and on.

The weather then changed and it started to get cold and rainy out so I unfolded my glider/gazelle and advanced to using it...this piece of exercise equipment is to date the very best piece of exercise equipment I have EVER purchased. I think Tony Little should hire me...I could sell truck loads of these things LOL!!!!!!! I could be the "post child" for the glider...okay, okay.....I'm cracking myself up here...I'll behave.

Seriously, one can really get a terrific workout on it and it's incredibly low impact....truly a WONDERFUL piece of workout equipment. I actually wore out the first one and I'm on my second one! I run 70 minutes on it 6 nights a week. I worked up to that...at first I was I think maybe at 20 minutes and kept working up till I was at 62 minutes. This past month I added 10 more minutes to make it 70 minutes. It's so easy to use, I could easily work out for a full 2 hrs on it but then I wouldn't do any of the other exercises that I need to do....so 70 minutes will be tops for me I think.

When I added the glider, after a while I realized that I needed to start doing some weight training too....so I went to Walmart and Canadian Tire and picked up some great hand weights. I looked at the areas I wanted to improve and checked out videos on YouTube and also spoke with Lyssie and Julie (from the board) and picked their brains on what they were doing in the weight training portions of their routines. So I added triceps, biceps shoulder and chest exercises using the hand weights....I then added abdominal exercises. I'll tell you....I really pushed myself...I was quite overweight and these exercises were tough....but I knew I had to continue to challenge myself and not give up or in. I MADE exercise my daily routine and made a commitment to myself to exercise EACH day and not let anything distract me from missing a day...unless I was really sick or injured.

I realized that my routine was rather long at one point...so I broke it up....weights and body area training in the morning (before I went to work) and then cardio in the evening after I arrived home from work.

[Sarina D]

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

what an inspiration....I too have a lot to lose but seeing you I KNOW its possible!

fantastic!!!!!!!!!!! well done

Thank you sooooo much!!!!

Absolutely it IS possible to lose the weight and keep it off....don't ever think otherwise....stick it out....ACT determined and BE determined each and everyday to make sure your eatting correctly, drinking the proper amount of water that you need to drink and be sure to fit some form of exercise into your daily routine.

IF you experience a bump along the way and slip...get RIGHT BACK UP..dust yourself off and get back on the plan immediately...make sure the very next thing you put in your mouth is something your suppose to be eating....you deserve great health and happiness....don't settle for second best and fall away or give up (not to say you are or have or will ever...but there are days that come along....unexpected news, or situations that come up and can throw an unexpected curve ball our way during our journey to great health)....don't ever ever ever give in or give up.

If you feel down....come on the board and talk it through...like I have always said....we're all in this together....we support each other through the tough times and celebrate the great times!

Thank you for stopping by, it's very good to meet you....keep in touch and let me know how things are going for 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 – 183 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

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

I am sure I posted a message in this thread before.. cant find it, so well done Sarina and good luck!

Well thank you Sarbirus, I really do appreciate you kind sentiments and encouragement...thank you for stopping by and taking the time to send me a message.

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 – 183 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Mick2360]

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

Hi Sarina, Always nice to read your posts, you are very positive, encouraging to others and have a terrific story to tell. Your talking about being ashamed to walk in the light really struck home with me; shame seems to be at the core of many weight issues....it is a central issue for me. The interesting thing is that as we change our bodies, people relate to us differently but we ourselves still have to do the work to overcome our distorted view of ourselves. Anyway, I'm off on a tangent that may or may not have much to do with what you wrote. Let me finish by saying great work and it sounds like your hubby is a keeper!

[VGrace]

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

Wow what a transformation! You are such an incredible inspiration!

[Sarina D]

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

Hi Sarina, Always nice to read your posts, you are very positive, encouraging to others and have a terrific story to tell. Your talking about being ashamed to walk in the light really struck home with me; shame seems to be at the core of many weight issues....it is a central issue for me. The interesting thing is that as we change our bodies, people relate to us differently but we ourselves still have to do the work to overcome our distorted view of ourselves. Anyway, I'm off on a tangent that may or may not have much to do with what you wrote. Let me finish by saying great work and it sounds like your hubby is a keeper!

Hi Mick,

Thank you very much, I'm glad to hear that my posts are nice to read...by the time I finish writing one, I always think I've written far to much and ponder deleting them....I'm relieved to hear otherwise...thank you for that.

I totally agree with you, shame indeed seems to be at the core of many weight issues.....absolutely and people do indeed relate to us differently when we lose weight do they not. Your timing is IMPECCABLE in writing about this. On Friday my doctor decided to give me some much needed warning out of the blue. To sum up what he said....he explained and warned me that there would be people in my life that would be happy for me regarding my weight loss and yet to be aware that there would also be people who will not be happy for my weight loss....that they would want the old me back...they may act differently towards me....they may encourage me to stop (which has already happen) with my weight loss....they may come out sideways on me (which has happened as well) and just to be aware of these possibilities. He explained that due to losing such an enormous amount of weight comes enormous changes as well in how I affect people....and to be aware of what may happen. His timing (as well as yours) could not be more spot on.

This weekend someone that is very close and dear to me has made it very clear how they really feel about me now since my weight loss...it is something that I and others close to me suspected these last 6 months but of course something I have tried to believe couldn't be so. Sadly when I was over 400 lbs....this person wanted to be around me, they showed me what I truly "thought" was love...and this individual meant a great deal to me....and now....I am being treated completely different. I won't get into details but it is abundantly clear that my weight loss has disturbed this person greatly and their true feelings for me are being made very clear. It saddens me deeply but it is something that I have to accept. I can't do anything differently to change them or make them feel differently because the way they act towards me is a reflection of what is really going on within them which is something they have to sort out.

In addition to what I have shared above, not too long ago I saw someone I had always enjoyed talking with downtown when I bumped into her in my travels. She commented on my weight loss....I found her comments really not very enthusiastic at all but coming from being over 400 lbs to where I was now...I guess maybe she felt she needed to say a little something otherwise perhaps it would have looked odd...so after a while she told me "You know, you should really go and eat a Twinky, it looks as though you could really use one".......not a very kind thing to say to someone is it?! So, I share these things with you and anyone reading this because as I said, my doctor bringing this to my attention could not have been more timely. I spent a couple hours in tears this evening due to the realization that someone who has meant so much to me has truly changed towards me even though my weight loss has meant I have probably added many more years to my life and is a very good thing.

This is just another aspect regarding how people change towards us and how we have to deal with these sudden and very unexpected changes in various relationships.

With regards to being embarrassed to be seen in public like I once was....I remember one night realizing that I as well as everyone else out there that suffers from obesity should not feel ashamed or embarrassed to be out in public....rather the people who stand there and snicker, make horrendous remarks, laugh, scoff, shout out profanity and very embarrassing and crude remarks ARE the very ones who should be ashamed and embarrassed to be seen out in public. The thing is....we CAN and will lose the weight we need to...the chances of these troubling individuals changing is rare and most likely will not happen. They are rude, they lack manners, principles and proper values....and THOSE are very difficult to achieve if you lack them in the first place. When I realized that, I started walking in the daylight, amongst the public and I have never looked back since.

For those who may read this...do not feel embarrassed regarding the way you look and hide away like I did. Realize and believe that you are just as much entitled to be seen out and about in the daylight doing whatever you choose to do just as much as these creeps do.

Overcoming the distorted view that we have of ourselves is just as important as the weight loss itself and needs to be realized and dealt with...it's all part of "becoming healthy".

Thanks for bringing this up Mick...it's very valuable and something we all need to take a look at and deal with if we struggle with these insecurities.

Yes, my husband is indeed a keeper! I remember when we first began dating...so many people tried to break us up...it was amazing and very disheartening. We overcame those obstacles and have been together since I was 18 yrs old...I am now 38 ...we will be celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary this September. He is the very reason I started Atkins and I owe him a great deal of gratitude for his suggestion last July to go back to eating this way....if it weren't for his suggestion....who knows if I would have been able to lose a couple of pounds let alone even been alive to have attempted it.

I hope you have a fabulous week Mick...as always, it's such a pleasure to receive messages from you, I appreciate them very much.....stay in touch when you're able....and again...thank you all the support and encouragement.

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 – 183 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

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

Wow what a transformation! You are such an incredible inspiration!

Thank you VGrace! I was in bed just now laying there thinking about ice cream (good grief, I can't even eat the stuff...I'm terribly allergic to it) and all the things I should not be thinking of. I had an emotionally packed weekend and I think it all started to get the best of me.

I caught myself actually planning a cheat to take place tomorrow....can you believe that....how horrible!!!! Well I managed to pull myself out of it and got up and made myself a tea....sat down in front of my computer and saw your message and I have to say THANK YOU, it came at a much needed time!

I will continue to do what I'm suppose to and work on getting closer and closer to goal...thanks for the boost along the way!

Keep in touch, it's great to meet 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 – 183 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Liebling]

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

Damn!! You look so great, and what great work! You're so on your way to wherever you want to go.

Liebling

[andilsk5]

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

Thanks Sarina, for your detailed post on the exercises you do (and for all your other inspiring posts).

Your comments about someone close to you acting differently towards you really reminded me of a time, about 6 years ago when I was a lot thinner than I am now. I had lost about 50 pounds through lots of exercise and perfect eating (or what I thought was perfect eating) and was pretty close to my ideal weight. I went to dinner with some coworkers and when I came back to the table after going to the washroom, one of the women at the table said "oh, are you back from throwing up your dinner? How else could you have lost so much weight so quickly?" I was devastated by that comment. But then I realized that all the comments and bad reactions I was getting were because those people were unhappy with themselves and jealous of my success. I couldn't change them or how they felt about me at all. I am glad you realize this too - you should never let anyone make you feel bad about you. You have done amazing things and no one should be allowed to diminish that or cause you to feel like you might like to schedule a cheat day. It, and they, are not worth it!

Thanks again for all your posts that are so inspiring to so many of us.
Andie

[Sarina D]

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

Damn!! You look so great, and what great work! You're so on your way to wherever you want to go.

Liebling

Well thank you Liebling, you're most kind!

I appreciate your support and encouragement, I'm glad you stopped by...it's great to meet 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 – 183 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

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

Thanks Sarina, for your detailed post on the exercises you do (and for all your other inspiring posts).

Your comments about someone close to you acting differently towards you really reminded me of a time, about 6 years ago when I was a lot thinner than I am now. I had lost about 50 pounds through lots of exercise and perfect eating (or what I thought was perfect eating) and was pretty close to my ideal weight. I went to dinner with some coworkers and when I came back to the table after going to the washroom, one of the women at the table said "oh, are you back from throwing up your dinner? How else could you have lost so much weight so quickly?" I was devastated by that comment. But then I realized that all the comments and bad reactions I was getting were because those people were unhappy with themselves and jealous of my success. I couldn't change them or how they felt about me at all. I am glad you realize this too - you should never let anyone make you feel bad about you. You have done amazing things and no one should be allowed to diminish that or cause you to feel like you might like to schedule a cheat day. It, and they, are not worth it!

Thanks again for all your posts that are so inspiring to so many of us.
Andie

You're most welcome Andie, I hope that what I have shared regarding my exercise routine is helpful.

Thank you for sharing what you did regarding the restaurant episode...how horrible. I find it amazing that people can be so miserable within themselves that they strike out to hurt others, it's very sad isn't it? I'm sorry you had to go through that.

No worries about the "scheduled cheat day" looking back at it, I was more day dreaming about it then actually considering it....in the moment it felt like a planned cheat day but I didn't and wouldn't have done it. I would only be hurting myself and I won't give this person or anyone else the satisfaction of me going backwards As mentioned earlier, we had a very sudden and tragic death in our family which rocked us this weekend....and then the situation with someone who I am close to came to the surface and of course...emotions bubbled up...and I use to be an emotional eater so where does my mind go to....directly to food. I'm usually pretty good and have come a long way from where I was but even being in as much control as I am and being so disciplined...the thought of emotional eating can still re-surface from time to time. It's all a learning process...how to do things differently and continue along that path....so far so good

Thanks for popping by and thank you for the encouragement regarding this situation...after sleeping on it, I am dealing with it much better today....it still hurts but it's not my issue and I can't take it on.

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 – 183 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Mick2360]

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

Sarina, What a lovely and heartfelt post; beautifully written and so to the heart of the matter of how changes in ourselves effect others. It sounds as though your physician is a thoughtful and prudent man. You photos show a startling metamorphosis in size but in each of them you are a beautiful woman, no matter your size. Your husband obviously knew it all along and is likely the type of man to love on a soul level. It is a wonderful thing to have found the person you will walk through life with.

The betrayal you have experienced from 'friends' is something else altogether. Heavy people are discounted, as if we are lesser than others and therefore objects of unspoken pity and scorn. It is an odd combination, isn't it? It sets up the dynamic that we are supplicants in relationships, never really able to sit at the 'cool kids' table, and never given the chance to be taken at our real value. I stopped buying into this a long time ago. I trust my judgment and instincts. I value my worth whether heavy, losing or soon to be in shape (thin? THAT ain't happening!).

It is different for men in some ways. I think women are under so much pressure to conform to ideals of what is beautiful and sexy' from the time that they are adolescents until the end of their lives; it is mission impossible. I think that your doctor may also have been warning you that your new look is tremendously powerful; doors get opened for pretty women and there is a trap there for you in addition to the former friends that envy and resent your success. You are not a prop for them to play off of, you are competition....and likely too much so. There is a scripture from matthew that has something to say about entering the dangerous world; "behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, therefore be as wise as a serpent and as gentle as a dove". Good advice.

My final thought is this; you strike me as intelligent, sensitive and very well grounded. I am very sorry for your tears and i know that your heart aches for people who need you to be something other than who you are. Trust yourself, Sarina. There is a lot of ground to cover and you are in a good place to become the person you were born to be. I believe that God put each of us here for a reason and very often suffering is the price we pay for the wisdom and strength we will need to do whatever our special job in life is. At one point you needed to be heavy to be safe. That is no longer the case. Shed no more tears. Be happy for those who love you and have always loved YOU. You are bound for good things Sarina. Go get them done!

Regards,
Mick

[Sarina D]

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

Sarina, What a lovely and heartfelt post; beautifully written and so to the heart of the matter of how changes in ourselves effect others. It sounds as though your physician is a thoughtful and prudent man. You photos show a startling metamorphosis in size but in each of them you are a beautiful woman, no matter your size. Your husband obviously knew it all along and is likely the type of man to love on a soul level. It is a wonderful thing to have found the person you will walk through life with.

The betrayal you have experienced from 'friends' is something else altogether. Heavy people are discounted, as if we are lesser than others and therefore objects of unspoken pity and scorn. It is an odd combination, isn't it? It sets up the dynamic that we are supplicants in relationships, never really able to sit at the 'cool kids' table, and never given the chance to be taken at our real value. I stopped buying into this a long time ago. I trust my judgment and instincts. I value my worth whether heavy, losing or soon to be in shape (thin? THAT ain't happening!).

It is different for men in some ways. I think women are under so much pressure to conform to ideals of what is beautiful and sexy' from the time that they are adolescents until the end of their lives; it is mission impossible. I think that your doctor may also have been warning you that your new look is tremendously powerful; doors get opened for pretty women and there is a trap there for you in addition to the former friends that envy and resent your success. You are not a prop for them to play off of, you are competition....and likely too much so. There is a scripture from matthew that has something to say about entering the dangerous world; "behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, therefore be as wise as a serpent and as gentle as a dove". Good advice.

My final thought is this; you strike me as intelligent, sensitive and very well grounded. I am very sorry for your tears and i know that your heart aches for people who need you to be something other than who you are. Trust yourself, Sarina. There is a lot of ground to cover and you are in a good place to become the person you were born to be. I believe that God put each of us here for a reason and very often suffering is the price we pay for the wisdom and strength we will need to do whatever our special job in life is. At one point you needed to be heavy to be safe. That is no longer the case. Shed no more tears. Be happy for those who love you and have always loved YOU. You are bound for good things Sarina. Go get them done!

Regards,
Mick

Hi Mick,

I've pm'd you...I hope you received it.

Thank you for what you have written above, I am deeply grateful for what you have shared with me...thank you so much.

I hope you and your wife have a lovely and relaxing evening...please say hello to her for me and send her my 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 – 183 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Helena-in-England]

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

You had such a beautiful face at 403........

[mkline71]

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

Great job on the loss!! Like everyone else is saying...INCREDIBLE!!

I'm at my 11 month mark and have gone from 406 to 280. My before and after pics will come when I hit 200.

Are you having any issues with loose skin? I know that can be a problem with that much weight loss. I'm guessing if I do get to 180-200 I'll need a tummy tuck myself. I've been lifting weights a lot over the last 3 months and doing a lot of ab work and maybe that will help some.

On another note...you also have great teeth.

I started walking at night too, then my local apartment gym, now for the last 6 months a "regular" gym. It is nice to be back in the main stream.

Have you written Tony Little and showed him your pics. I think he would use you for sure. Who knows you may make some decent $$$

Thanks for sharing your story and pictures.

Mike