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

[needhelptodothis]

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

OH MY GOSH! When I saw the first picture of you I thought - what a cutie - look at that smile. The middle ones - I was looking and thinking - oh, isn't she beautiful? And the most recent pics took my breath away. You are GORGEOUS girl!!! I had to show my husband and he said in that close up of just your face you look like a model. I am so happy for you. I went from 125lbs to 308lbs and just couldnt see the light at the end of the tunnel trying to make my way back to 125. (You just don't feel good when you are this big). Now I am inspired again. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing. Good luck to you in living a healthy life. Donna

[kimbat06]

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

Wow, is it ever great to see you!!! How have you been and how's the journey going for you?!??!?! I hope you had an enjoyable summer and all is going well.

Well thank you so much for your lovely message, I appreciate it greatly! I JUST realized that I am getting close to my 160 lb goal....it just hit me now after reading your message!!!!!!! That is sooo funny, I have been eyeballing trying to make it to 140 or 145 lbs and totally lost touch of my initial 150 or 160 lb goals.....thanks sooooooo much for writing what you did about being so close now....I have a wee celebration that I'm closing in on by the looks of it thanks to your reminder!

Do keep in touch and let me know how things are going when you have the time...it's great to have you back on the board!

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

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

You've only got 15 more to go til 160! That's AMAZING! You are superwoman! Absolutely fabulous. I wish I could hug you lol! My weight loss is on hold right now because I am expecting a baby girl in November. Let me tell you I simply cannot WAIT to get back on this diet and reach my goal!

[Sarina D]

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

OH MY GOSH! When I saw the first picture of you I thought - what a cutie - look at that smile. The middle ones - I was looking and thinking - oh, isn't she beautiful? And the most recent pics took my breath away. You are GORGEOUS girl!!! I had to show my husband and he said in that close up of just your face you look like a model. I am so happy for you. I went from 125lbs to 308lbs and just couldnt see the light at the end of the tunnel trying to make my way back to 125. (You just don't feel good when you are this big). Now I am inspired again. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing. Good luck to you in living a healthy life. Donna

Well aren't you an absolute doll!!!!! You're most kind, thank you for the kind compliments and wonderful encouragement and please thank your husband for his kind compliment as well.

I use to avoid pictures like the plague, so I only have a couple of handfuls of before's....still searching for a before complete full length...I know there is SOMEONE amongst my family and friends that has one and when I find it I'll post it. I am grateful now that I have some before's to look back on. I remember last August 2008 thinking, "Should I start taking pics along the way or not?" and with my husband's encouragement and support I started a bit of a photo record of my progress along the way. I'm glad now looking back that I did. I hope you have done the same, you won't be sorry!!!!! Also, take your measurements now....those are VERY important...learn from my mistake...I didn't take mine right away...should have but hey....that's ok.

Donna, I'm so proud of you for committing yourself to becoming healthy...way to go girl!!! Don't look back to the past.....you will get to the weight your most happy with and that your body is comfortable at again...just look forward and keep focused on accomplishing everything you need to throughout the day to make each day a successful one! Make sure you eat everything you're allowed, drink lots of water and be sure to fit some form of exercise into your daily routine....you won't be sorry! Exercise has played a huge part in my success along with eating correctly. Even if it's a 10 minute walk to begin with....challenge yourself to get your body moving and create a workout habit/routine daily.

Make everyday the best day you can. If you happen to slip along the way, don't let it take you out....just get right back up and KEEEEEP GOING and NEVER EVER EVER EVER give up!!!!! Believe me, I've had a few slips along the way, they happen to some of us....and the key to my success is that I just kept going, I didn't let a slip take me out...even when I became very discouraged about them from time to time I knew that allowing a slip to take me out and off my plan was the EXACT old behavior from past times that sabotaged any possibilities of success...so I made sure I didn't fall into the same trap. Instead, I made sure the very next thing I put in my mouth was what I was SUPPOSE to eat (allowed to eat), I drank lots of water and kept exercising.

I'm so thrilled that you stopped by to share in my journey and took the time to write to me. I appreciate it greatly and I'm glad to be able to meet you.

I look forward to hearing all about your progress along the way! Be sure you keep in touch ok?!?!?

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

My personal journey - 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!!!

You've only got 15 more to go til 160! That's AMAZING! You are superwoman! Absolutely fabulous. I wish I could hug you lol! My weight loss is on hold right now because I am expecting a baby girl in November. Let me tell you I simply cannot WAIT to get back on this diet and reach my goal!

OH WOW!!!!!!!! I had absolutely NO idea that you are expecting a baby in November.....HOW EXCITING IS THAT!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I am so thrilled for you, is this your first baby?!?!??!!

My husband and I do not have children. We have been married 17 yrs (Tues, Sept 22nd this week was our 17th wedding anniversary) and have never been able to conceive. I was diagnosed a number of months ago with PCOS and it was discovered to be the reason we've never been able to have a baby. Now that I've lost all this weight and they are aware I have PCOS they believe that through help, we will be able to finally have children SOOOOOO, perhaps next year we will look at trying.

You just keep focusing on this beautiful baby girl and yourself leading up to November....I can't tell you how excited I am for you...what a thrill!!!!

Be sure to keep in touch leading up to the delivery....I want to continue to hear how you're feeling and making out and I can't wait to see pictures of your precious little girl!!!!!!

Thank you for sharing this news with me, you made my night!!!!

Hugs and all the best to you and your baby girl!
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

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

[cindybells2001]

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

Hi Sarina I was curious if you ate mostly raw vegetables or cooked veggies or IF you mainly follow the three cup rule of low carb veggies n lettuce

[janella jackson]

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

This is wonderful. I am finding it so hard to get started again. I am back to 242.4 lbs and I can't began to tell you how tired I am of thinking about my weight day and night. You know I feel I am crying for help but the only person who can help me is me. I know no one can physically do it for me. I just want to scream because I want to and need to loose weight but I can't seem to stay focus long enough to do it. Any suggestions?

[PeteinVA]

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

Hi Sarina I was curious if you ate mostly raw vegetables or cooked veggies or IF you mainly follow the three cup rule of low carb veggies n lettuce

Hi Sarina,

I'm curious what you've been doing with vegetables (and fruit too) now that you've had such success with Atkins. The most frustrating thing for me on this diet is the very CONCEPT of having to measure and limit my veggies and fruit. Any diet or way of eating I've done in the past was UNLIMITED of all those. I really believe I've had much more energy at on other diets (mental and physical) than I do on Atkins and really felt much better overall when veggies/fruit were a substantial part of my diet.

I've done okay on Atkins in the 7 weeks I'm on it. I'm very happy with it. It's just that as I begin to move through the rungs I'm not confident that long term I'll be able to continue this diet let alone make it a WOE for life.

Any input would be appreciated.

THANKS darlin'!

Pete From the beautiful state of VIRGINIA

[Sarina D]

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

Hi Sarina I was curious if you ate mostly raw vegetables or cooked veggies or IF you mainly follow the three cup rule of low carb veggies n lettuce

Hi Cindy,

I have to say, starting out I probably consumed a weee bit more cooked veggies than raw....however, now that you brought this question to my attention...I have to say I ate more salads in the first year than I am now....something I will have to change! I changed from eating more cooked veggies part way through to eating more raw veggies and that's when my salad consumption decreased. Starting tomorrow, I'm out to the store to purchase some mixed salad greens and baby spinach to add more salads again to my way of eating...very important...thanks for the question!

As far as the three cup rule, I have to admit I more like eyeballed my measurements. I have an INCREDIBLY busy schedule (I know everyone is busy so that's a bit of a poor excuse but in my case I don't have a great deal of time to prep food) so I managed to get a system down where I was able to eyeball my portions....considering that I did that and have been as succsessful as I have...those who do use the measurements will be more successful than I am and I do encourage people to measure....I have found that not measuring I can end up eating more veggies than I probably should. I do however, offset the extra consumption with my intense physical workouts but I do definately notice a difference in my weight loss if I over shoot my veggie intake.

Keep up the great work and be sure to keep in touch.....we're in this journey to great health together!!!!!

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

My personal journey - 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!!!

This is wonderful. I am finding it so hard to get started again. I am back to 242.4 lbs and I can't began to tell you how tired I am of thinking about my weight day and night. You know I feel I am crying for help but the only person who can help me is me. I know no one can physically do it for me. I just want to scream because I want to and need to loose weight but I can't seem to stay focus long enough to do it. Any suggestions?

Hi Janella!

Well I have to say, you may be finding it difficult to get started again but seeing you here connecting and voicing your frustrations shows me how much you want to get back up on the wagon and keep going....well done!

I can TOTALLY relate to thinking day and night of how much I wanted to lose weight. I shared this with my husband recently. Since I was a young teenager up until this past year.....each morning one of the first thoughts IF not the VERY first thought that would come to my mind when I opened my eyes in the morning was "Today I'm going to start losing weight".....and the very last thing I thought before falling asleep was "You failed today, tomorrow you WILL start again and begin losing weight once and for all." These two phrases have been etched in my subcontious for 26 plus years...day in and day out....that was the first thing I said to myself when I awoke and the last thing I said to myself before I went to sleep. I realized just this past month that for a year now, I have had peace from saying these sentences to myself. The difference was, I found a way of eating and an exercise program that worked well for me.

I found that I no longer needed to beat myself and torture myself with threats that must get it together and lose weight each day. I put into practice this way of eating....made sure I prepared everything I needed to (food wise) and had it at my finger tips day in and day out so there was no room or reason to go off my plan. I made sure I made time (as crazy busy as I am) to exercise and was determined to do some form of exercise each and every day.

My advice....sit down and PLAN.....ask yourself what you REALLY want to accomplish. If you truly want to lose the weight once and for all, know this.....YOU CAN AND WILL. The key is, that you plan ahead and LIVE this way of eating.....make it your life....schedule exercise time at least 4 to 5 days each week. When you make it your life....it will become second nature to you. I know this because I live it....at first as satisfying as it was eating this way, it was different and I had to make sure I was always aware of what I was putting in my mouth.....aware of hidden sugars, hidden carbs...etc. Now, I don't think twice about how I eat....it's second nature...it is who I am now. So, my advice to you is to sit down, ask yourself if you really really really want to do this. Personally I believe you do otherwise you would not be here. Secondly, stop beating yourself up. Remember this....YOU are in control....not your feelings, not the past, not the food....YOU are in control and YOU will make this happen.

Clean out all the crap from your kitchen....THROW IT AWAY!!!!!! Create a shopping list and go out and ONLY purchase the foods that you're allowed and make sure you have things prepped and ready to eat so you are not tempted to run out and purchase something convenient that is not allowed. Have devilled eggs on hand, olives, chicken, steak, roast, cheese (make sure if you have cheese it's what you're allowed and the proper portion because it can play around with some people's success).

Janella, believe in yourself.....you are capable of doing this...you have EXACTLY what it takes to be in control and win this battle once and for all. You can achieve peace and fitness. The weight loss key that I searched high and low for from my early teenage years has been given to us...that is the successful outline to low carb eating. The key has been presented to us on a silver plater. It's proven....it works....all we have to do it believe in ourselves and comit to eating this way day in and day out. It's not hard....the hard part is getting rid of old habits and creating healthy new ones that define who we are TODAY!

So what do you say, shall we do this together?!?!? I'm right here for you and walking along side you the whole way.

Let me know what you think......I would love to be buddies and get this show on the road with you if you're ready.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help and be sure to keep in touch....I'm ready and willing if you are!!!!!!

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

My personal journey - 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 Sarina,

I'm curious what you've been doing with vegetables (and fruit too) now that you've had such success with Atkins. The most frustrating thing for me on this diet is the very CONCEPT of having to measure and limit my veggies and fruit. Any diet or way of eating I've done in the past was UNLIMITED of all those. I really believe I've had much more energy at on other diets (mental and physical) than I do on Atkins and really felt much better overall when veggies/fruit were a substantial part of my diet.

I've done okay on Atkins in the 7 weeks I'm on it. I'm very happy with it. It's just that as I begin to move through the rungs I'm not confident that long term I'll be able to continue this diet let alone make it a WOE for life.

Any input would be appreciated.

THANKS darlin'!

Pete From the beautiful state of VIRGINIA

Hi Pete,

It's great to hear from you, thanks for popping in!!!! How's your week going in the beautiful state of Virginia?!?!?!?!?

I think I may have answered part of your question above when I wrote to Cindy but I will address your fruit question and your other question/concern.

I have to be very careful with my frut consumption even at this point in my way of eating. I find that I'm still triggered a lot by fruit.....after eating it I start craving (I only consume blueberries and strawberries when I eat fruit). I know many others who do not experience this AT ALL...and that is why I think the reason for this in my case is because I was diagnosed with PCOS (don't worry....there's no way you can have this...only women are blessed with it ) so even though I don't have diabetes, my insulin (insulin is a hormone) is triggered with fruit consumption. So, I stay more closely to rung 1 which is great for me. I am allergic to dairy and nuts so the other rungs are not somewhere I can climb up too.

Having said that, if you do not suffer from food allergies or sensitivities, I would strongly encourage you to start climbing the rungs now.....time to fly out of the "extended Induction" nest my friend. You're very close to your goal weight and starting to climb the rungs will do many things for you. It will give you more food choices as well as added nutrients which will give your energy level a boost. By giving you more food choices (climbing the rungs) you probably will start feeling like you can eat this way for the rest of your life....you'll have more variety and you'll continue to lose weight and achieve your goal and maintain it!

Also, are you taking a good multi vitamin? If you aren't, this is something you may want to seriously look at incorporating into your diet each day. Regarding your energy level.....because this way of eating is low carb the body is forced to use it's own fuel (fat) which is the primary reason for weight loss success, but also why energy levels can feel a bit low especially at the beginning....moving up the rungs will provide you with additional carbs (in increments) and will possibly provide you with additional energy.

If you find your weight coming to a stand still when climbing the rungs....back down a bit or go down one rung...that's the beauty of climbing the rungs...you always know when to go back down one if need be. Embrace it and don't be fearful. Soooo many people on the board have been incredibly successful in climbing the rungs....in fact in many cases they lost more weight then when they were doing Induction.

Let me know if I missed anything or if I can help with any other ideas.....hopefully what I have written above will give you some helpful ideas.

Talk with you again 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 – 174 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

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

[janella jackson]

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

Sarina,
I would love for you to be my buddy. What you said brings tears to my eyes because it is so true. I feel like I am in this bad pattern of saying today I will start losing the weight and at the end of the day I failed before I can even get started. It goes on day after day to a point were I feel like I am going crazy. I can't take doing this any more I have not been able to live my life and be happy because of this weight and this has being going on for at least seven years. I know I can do it. That is why I refuse to give up but at the same time I know the time is now I don't won't to waste any more of my life sitting in the house. Last May 08 I was diagnosised with colon cancer and had to have surgery and go through six months of chemotherapy. I told my self than I could be dead now or on my death beath and how would I feel looking over my life. I have let my weight stop me from interactiving with people having a relationship with a man and just living. I don't want to waste any more time I have done enough of that. So THANK YOU for your words of encouragement and validating that I am not the only one who has been and in my case is in this cycle. I will take your advice and really, really, REALLY12 exam myself and my goals.

[Sarina D]

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

Sarina,
I would love for you to be my buddy. What you said brings tears to my eyes because it is so true. I feel like I am in this bad pattern of saying today I will start losing the weight and at the end of the day I failed before I can even get started. It goes on day after day to a point were I feel like I am going crazy. I can't take doing this any more I have not been able to live my life and be happy because of this weight and this has being going on for at least seven years. I know I can do it. That is why I refuse to give up but at the same time I know the time is now I don't won't to waste any more of my life sitting in the house. Last May 08 I was diagnosised with colon cancer and had to have surgery and go through six months of chemotherapy. I told my self than I could be dead now or on my death beath and how would I feel looking over my life. I have let my weight stop me from interactiving with people having a relationship with a man and just living. I don't want to waste any more time I have done enough of that. So THANK YOU for your words of encouragement and validating that I am not the only one who has been and in my case is in this cycle. I will take your advice and really, really, REALLY12 exam myself and my goals.

Good morning Janella!!!!!

Fabulous, I would love for you to be my buddy too! We'll do this together, side by side. You just let me know when you're ready.

Janella, you have been through soooo much since last May....congratulations on kicking colon cancer.....my goodness what a thing to come through from my girl. You have a TREMENDOUS amount of inner strength to be able to get through that. You're a strong woman and I have to say, if you can get through colon cancer....you most certainly can lose weight.

You're message really hit me last night too regarding thinking day in and day out "today I'm going to lose weight" man alive....that phrase haunted me since I was young....I am so grateful that since I started eating this way, I have had peace and quiet from hearing myself repeat it each and everyday to myself.....you will experience the same.

I became very sick 10 years ago. I continually was being sent home from the emergency room....one day, I was back in the emergency room and I was sitting waiting to see a doctor. All of a sudden a doctor that had been taking care of my grandmother in her final stages of breast cancer came walking quite briskly through the emergency room section and just happened to catch a glimpse of me and came to a sliding stop. He said, "Hey, what are you doing here?!?!?!" He was a real strength to our family and my grandmother when she was so ill, in fact, my grandmother adopted him into our family. I explained to him what was happening and that I kept being sent home. He told me not to move and if anyone tried to move me just yell and he would come running. To make a long story short....he had me admitted. A few days later, I was rushed into emergency exploratory surgery. During this time the surgeon took a peek around and really couldn't determine the cause. At the very end, before closing me up he decided to remove my Appendix as it looked a tiny bit pink but nothing to be shocked over. He told me after wards, he made the decision because he was in there and it wasn't something I really needed. One week AFTER the surgery, the biopsy returned back and it WAS my appendix!

So, between this caring doctor who fought for me to be admitted into the hospital and stood behind me and a surgeon who cared enough to think ahead and make a judgement call, I am alive and here today. The reason I share this story is because just like you......I had weight issues around this event....you see.....what these two men did for me touched me deeply...and I knew where the surgeon was located and I knew where the doctor who saved my life was located and time upon time upon time I wanted to go and thank them for what they did for me. I decided when I came out of that surgery "THIS time, you are GOING to lose this weight once and for all...these two guys saved your life...you're GOING to do it now." You know what, instead of losing weight I GAINED weight and I was sooooo incredibly ashamed. I secretly hoped that I would NEVER run into these two guys again and have them see what I had turned into. I was obese then....but I was morbidly obese now. I wanted to thank them for going to the wall for me....but couldn't bare for them to see me at the weight I had become. I didn't want them to think of all they had done for me and yet I couldn't even get it together and lose the weight for myself....they gave me a second chance.....I had failed at it (so I had thought)

Back up to last July, my husband comes to my office and says, "You'll never know who I ran into today and the clinic when I went to see my doctor....Dr. Burns!" You see, Dr. Burns was the doctor in the emergency room that recognized me and stopped to see what I was doing there. I always said, if he ever had a family practice I would change doctors and go and see him. Soooo that is exactly what I did! The real awesome part of this is....when I first started to see him last July 31st, I had lost a bit of weight...around 50 lbs....I was still ashamed for him to see me at this weight but at least I was losing and I was finally able to thank him for all that he did for me...which is what I wanted to do throughout the years.....to date he has been able to watch me lose over 170 lbs now eating this way. I had wanted to thank him for so many years and show him that all his fighting to keep me in the hospital was very much appreciated and that I could and would turn my obesity around and treasure the gift of life that he gave to me.That became a reality and I was finally able to achieve that goal......to be able to face him and thank him for what he had done for me.....and to top it off, he's now my family doctor...who would have seen that coming 10 years ago?!

THEN this past May....I tear a rectus abdominal muscle (good grief that was PAINFUL).....guess who my doctor sends me to see?!?!??! The VERY surgeon who made the judgement call to remove my appendix 10 years ago!!!!!! So I go and see Dr. Bryne! Dr. Burns and Dr. Bryne....what are the chances?!??!?!

So, I was able to show Dr. Bryne what I had done with my life....that I had turned it around and him rushing me in for emergency surgery (Labour Day evening 10 years ago) and giving me the gift of life was very much appreciated.....I was able to face him and thank him for all that he had done for me and show him that I had turned my life around and lost the weight.

I share this because your comment about lying in the hospital looking over your life reminded me of this part of my life in the past....how so badly I wanted to thank these two incredible doctors year upon year upon year.....but couldn't because I didn't want them to see that even though they both saved my life....I couldn't save my own. BUT I was able to turn this ship around and now they are part of my life again....10 years after the fact! See when I was diagnosed a few months ago with a lump in my breast, Dr. Burns sent me back to Dr. Byrne again....so he's the guy if I ever need a surgeon! And the great part was, Dr. Bryne was able to see that since May 2009 when he saw me last, I was continuing to lose weight.

Ok....I've rambled again!!!!!!!! I thank you for sharing all that you did above.....it has helped me this morning recognize some things I wanted to accomplish and realize that I have accomplished them (thanking my two doctors and being able to have them see that I did make the most of their gift of life and have turned my life around).

Janella, I am looking forward to taking this journey with you....you just keep in touch and let me know when you're ready after you've taken the time to think about things and come up with a plan......you CAN do this.

Many, many hugs 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

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

[sexysomeday]

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

Sarina, I have to say that you are an "inspiration" to myself, and as far as I can see, so MANY others! You are absolutely gorgeous. From 400 to now. I cannot believe how far you have traveled over the past year! That's something I can only dream of! You must have such a dance in your step and a bubble in your laugh. I am so happy for you and I hope that I might attain some small measure of your success. I look forward to watching you reach goal!!!!!!!!

[marinewife28]

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

wow, I was having a hard morning and after reading these posts about your success I know I've got to kick these cravings to the side and go make me some eggs!! LOL I am very lucky in that I do love to workout, its always been my eating that has gotten me to this point. I love Turbojam Dvd's and I used to just walk 2 miles a day, but I now walk 3 miles in the morning with my daughter in the stroller and 3 miles in the evening with the family. I have not cheated once in these 6 days and I hope I can keep it up. I'm still learning a lot about the WOE but reading the posts on here sure do help me. My first weigh in/measuring is Sunday morning, I can't wait!! (Thank goodnesss I don't own my own scale or I would be on there everyday) My husband's Marine ball is in Mid November and I can't wait to wear an awesome dress for it, thanks for inspiring me to stick with the plan and remember to not let the food control me

~Rachel

[janella jackson]

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

Sarina,
I like it when you ramble because to me it isn't really rambling. Its just making me see how much we have in common when it comes to losing weight. I am just in ahh of you and all the others who are losing their weight because I know how hard it is to get started and to maintain it. I am looking so forward to being in that group. I can't wait to say I have lost my first 50 lbs. Only GOD truly knows our pain when it comes to being over weight. I have decided to let tomorrow be my first day back on atkins. I will let you know how it went the next morning. I have been going to the gym and track working out at least 3-4 days a week so that won't be to hard for me to go at least 4-5 days I will shoot for 5 days. Even though I was not eatting right I tried to keep exercising because waking up at 5:30 in the morning is hard so I wasn't about to stop and have to began over again. You know I was in the army and when I was on my way out for medical reasons I went to see a doctor about respiratory problems. I read his report and he stated that I was a 27 year old obese female. I was like what obese! I am not obese. I was probably 190lbs than. That really made me start to look at myself again. Talk about realty check. I never had a doctor to say I was obese before. Well, my goal weight is 160 lbs but I would like to keep my weight between 140 lbs and 160. I know you are extremely proud of how much you have accomplished. I look forward to feeling the same. Thanks buddy for sharing.