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!!!

Sarina- what more can anyone say??? Congrats on a job well done and I wish you continued success in your life. Your photos are such an inspiration- If you can lose as much weight as you did- I can surely lose a measely 50lbs.

Have you ever thought of sending your pictures to Oprah or something like that?- your story brings so much hope to so many people that need it.

Well thank you Pipee_pl, you're very kind indeed!

You will for sure lose the 50lbs you have in mind to lose.....I look forward to hearing your updates along the way.

No, I have not thought about sending in my pictures.....but you never know...I am willing to do as much as I can to bring hope and encouragement to others in their weight loss journey...we're all in this together!

Thank you for stopping by and sharing in my journey with me...it's very good to meet you.....keep in touch when you're able!

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 – 178 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

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

Hey Sarina, Just checking in to see how you are doing. You mean so much to a lot of people and the work that you do here is meaningful. You matter. And you always did!

Thank you Mick, that means a great deal to me. I'm sorry it's taken me sometime to write back. A lot has been happening.

I have been having a bit of a rough time. It seems as though our family has been dealt a series of trials this past month...two family deaths in a months time and now the most recent was last week when I took my mother in law in for her weekly dr's appt....it was determined (through a CAT scan) that she has been experiencing mini strokes and is suffering from Alzheimer's.....this was very sad news and has been quite upsetting for us all. My mother in law is such an amazing lady and is loved by many....I am so incredibly blessed to have her in my life and we are very close.

She is still living on her own but is having difficulties cooking for herself now as well experiencing other challenges. I have taken over scheduling all her appointments and such so she doesn't have to worry about that any longer...however, her short term memory sometimes is as short as minutes and she's been panicking and forgetting that I'm doing this for her so she calls and tries to schedule her appointments without realizing I've done them all for her. I've left my telephone # with everyone she makes appointments with and they know just to reassure her that her appointments have already been scheduled and call me if there are any questions.

My husband and I take her out grocery shopping each week and have been focusing on making sure she has plenty of nutritious food at home to choose from. I call her a couple of times each day as does my husband to make sure she's eating her regular meals as well as snacks....what I decided to do this past week is start cooking her home made meals from scratch and put them in containers and freeze them so all she has to do is take them out of her freezer and thaw them out and heat them up. This way she continues to receive proper balanced, nutritious food and doesn't have to try to worry about cooking for herself. I cooked non stop on Sunday and Monday and this evening after arriving home from work and was able to put together 18 meals for her to choose from....so that's a good start for the month I think. I will continue to do this until she is placed in a facility. She loves my cooking and it is something I am very happy to do for her. I want her to enjoy what she is eating while she is still aware of what is going on around her.

Mom is currently on a waiting list for independent living however, given the most recent news and the fact that she is struggling day to day, she will be evaluated within the next few weeks and will probably end up in an assisted living facility. We pray she be put into a place that is very close to us and that is really good.

So, I have to say....I have been struggling due to the stress but have not given up. I stumbled a couple of times within the last few weeks but I'm continuing to fight the good fight....I will not give up. I have always been an emotional eater so given the trials this past month....there has been PLENTY of emotional stuff to throw a few curve balls at me. I decided to take a week or so off from my regular exercise routine, I think my system (my back) needs a rest. I was going to start up again this week but I have two back to back therapy sessions for my back (Wed and Thurs) this week....each time I go through them I'm not allowed to return home and exercise so I may end up leaving my start up until Sunday coming up.

On the up side, my cousin was married this past weekend. We didn't attend the wedding but attending the reception in the evening. I purchased a daring dress (Well, daring for me that is.....I almost backed out from going because I was SOOOO nervous about wearing it) but ended up going at the last minute. It is a dress I never dreamed of being able to wear. There were so many pictures taken that night I will post a picture when I am able in the next week. It was an absolutely wonderful night and I am so thankful I didn't back out. I can't tell you how nervous I was bu thankfully once we arrived the nerves went out the window. I saw a lot of family that I haven't seen for a while and many of them didn't recognize me....it was wonderful to be with all of our family....what a great night indeed!

Well, once again I've chatted your ear off my friend....time for me to sign off and give it a rest Please write and let me know how you and your family are all doing and please say hello and send my warmest regards to your lovely wife.

Thank you for popping by to see how I am and for thinking of me...also thank you for the rep point...that was a nice surprise from being away for a while!

Talk with you soon,
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 – 178 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

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

I just found this thread and have to say, Sarina, you are an amazing and beautiful inspiration to others, thank you so much for sharing your journey with us all. Keep up the good work.

Hi Barb,

Thank you for popping by and sharing in my weight loss journey, I appreciate your kind words and encouragement...they mean a great deal to me.

I look forward to getting to know you and hearing your updates along the way!

Talk with you soon!
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 – 178 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

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

I just found this thread and love it!! You have done so fabulously its amazing. I started to read and look at your pix then I had to jump ahead to page 16 to see updated pix and I was so amazed I had to jump back and read how you did it. You are so so lucky. Most people only dream of losing that kind of weight or whatever it is they need to lose but you have actually succeeded in what is probably the biggest accomplishment of your life. Congratulations in obtaining what we all wish to someday obtain ourselves!!

I'm glad to hear you've enjoyed my thread.....thank you for the lovely compliments and for taking the time to drop me a line

It has been quite a year and a bit....many peaks and a number of valleys along the way that I'd like to forget about! LOL! I am grateful for what I have been able to achieve.....this way of eating certainly works if one makes it part of their daily life....it is a lifestyle....not something to go on and off of whenever one decides to.

Thank you again for stopping by, it's very good to meet you. I wish you much success and great health along the way in your journey.

Keep in touch, we're all in this together!

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 – 178 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

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

you are looking good., i Hope to see u so skinny

Thank you Sowhat, I too hope to achieve my goal within the next 6 months.....here's hoping!

All the 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 – 178 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Mick2360]

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

Sarina, What a lovely note despite the trials that you are experiencing. It is a blessing for your MIL that you are there for her. Taking care of a failing elder is a trial. I hope that you are able to draw some boundaries and carve out time for yourself; not in a selfish way but in the sense of being able to find some quiet moments to recharge. Sometimes we who help others need to remember the example of Jesus; He would find time for solitude and prayer. There is an important lesson in that.

And 'THE DRESS'! I am so happy for you that you allowed yourself to experience this moment. You are a beautiful woman in all respects and now you can look in the mirror and see it. But the real story is that you were always what you are today, just a different version. I am so glad that you had this special night.

As I write this, my sweetie, Joyce, is in the next room. We had a nice dinner and a lovely walk afterword. God has blessed me with her. It is so nice to have someone who has seen me through 'thick' and on the way to thin!

Warm regards,
Mick

[j_sunshine4christ]

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

You look sooo beautiful!!!

[Sookie]

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

Absolutely stunning!

[diamonds]

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

With all that you have been thru this month its amazing you are even able to think for a minute about exercising. I'm a stress eater too but I'm trying very hard not to let the little things stress me out, luckily I havn't had to deal with any of the big things that seem to be coming your way. I hope your mother in law has a smooth transaction into a nice home and that she settles in quickly. Once you know she's ok it should take a big load off of you.

[thenewme2009]

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

you look so amazing and beautiful! Well done to you and keep it up. You must be so proud! your well on your way to being slim - congrats hunny! keep updating pics your an inspiration xxx

[pipee_pl]

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

I wanted to ask you if you have done the Grouse Grind while on your weight loss journey. I did it in August with a time of 1 hour and 50 minutes. Next summer I intend to shave a lot of time off that score!!

Best of luck and continued sucess.

[stephbob]

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

Oh my word! You are gorgeous!! Not that you weren't before, but now you're so happy, your smile, your eyes, your body language it all shows your beauty!

You are an inspiration, and you should be so proud of yourself

[SGJG123]

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

You look grrrreat!!!! Keep up the good work!!!

[TaylorMac]

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

All I can say is WOW. You were pretty even at 403 lbs but now you're an absolute stunner! Your hubby must be so proud of you.

[farmwife]

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

You are quite an inspiration! WOW!

I am so touched by your loving care of your MIL. What a blessing you are to her. I love when family helps each other like that.