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 look SOOO good, great job! Keep up your hard work-its def paying off! *You're very pretty=)

Ahhhhh, thanks so much!!!!

A big congratulations to you on your success, you're doing awesome!!!

Thank you for popping by and taking the time to read my post and drop me a line, it's great to meet you.

This Sunday will be my 1 yr. Atkins anniversary and I plan on having my husband take a new picture of me and add it to this thread....I never dreamed for a minute one year later I would be at the weight I am. I am truly thankful....... I have some additional pictures that I may add as well.

Thanks again for your lovely comments, they're much appreciated!!!

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.
Current weight – 186 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[smurray6680]

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

Congratulations you are doing a wonderful job.

[rachmiller27]

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

you look SOOO good, great job! Keep up your hard work-its def paying off! *You're very pretty=)

[Sarina D]

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

Thank you Cate

I have two amazing dr's behind me throughout this process...my family doctor and my surgeon and I feel a great deal of comfort having them in my life while I go through this process.

If this turns out to be something other than fatty tissue, I look at it as though "it will be what it will be" and I will face it head on just as the other things that have popped up throughout my life. The medical field has come so far in treating breast cancer from the time my grandmother was diagnosed and sadly passed away from it. I take comfort in the success rate they have now.

I appreciate the support and kindness you have put forth to me this morning regarding this recent development. Your post brings me hope, comfort, cheer and joy.

Keep in touch and let me know how you and Mr. Cookie are doing...please send him my best.

Have a fabulous low carb day!

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.
Current weight – 186 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[cookiecate]

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

Sorry I must have pressed 'submit' in error. I was going to say that I wanted to scream and yell that it wasn't fair, that it wasn't right that you should have to put up with finding a lump it wasn't right. Then I realize that no it isn't fair but that is what life is all about.

I know so many people who have had cancer in many womanly places and have managed to beat it. I think I see cancer as something that can be dealt with but the fear and trauma must be horrific. All I can say is that you have so many people rooting for you. Please keep us informed of how you are doing. The lump could well be fatty tissue built up through your weight loss I have had one in my hip for some time. Just keep the faith and feel the love that we are sending you with many many good wishes.

[cookiecate]

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

Sarina,
It just amazes me that you take out so much time to encourage others you are indeed an beacon for the Atkins way of life.

I had a little cry when I read you message to Good4life. Most of your experiences as a fat lady I have also experienced particularly when shopping for clothes. I gave up in the end and just by from on line stores or catalogues.

You should be so proud that you have been able to take a hold of your life and make a desicion to change it and then stick to it. As you explain you must have had to reach down deeply to get to where you are now.

Then on top of everything you have to be brave again one more time, this time against something that you personally have no control over. I

[Sarina D]

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

Thats brilliant Sarina, heck I don't worry too much about the odd spelling mistake which I wouldn't have noticed anyway.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your own experiences. I deffinitely understand about the weighing every day which before seemed a bit over the top. You are quite right the poundage that you feel that you have added over a weighing period does cause heartbreak and I can imagine weighing every day would help to keep you on track and also get to know your own body.

Again, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy life to answer my questions. I will certainly measure myself and Mr Cookie. I think the measurements would certainly help him as I can tell that he is much smaller around the belly although the scales don't seem to want to let it go.

The weather here has been really hot. At this time you drink plenty but I find our appetite has gone and we are not eating quite enough.

Anyway my dear thank you again for your kind words.

Hi Cate,

How are you and Mr. Cookie doing these days? Did each of you manage to try the measurement tool?

I hope you're both doing great!

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.
Current weight – 186 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

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

Sarina, You are an absolute beacon in my world of overweight darkness! Thank you so much for your inspiration! I am restarting and your photos give me such hope. Congratulations on your current success's and good luck on your future success!

Hi Sonya!

Thank you for your wonderful, kind words! I am so happy to hear that you are restarting the program and have not given in....well done, I am VERY proud of you!

Keep up the great job, I know you can do this. Take it moment by moment and day to day. For me as mentioned throughout this thread, doing it that way has helped me tremendously. When I start looking at the big picture (the grand total I need to lose) then I start to feel overwhelmed....remember baby steps...those baby steps lead to great things!

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

Thanks again for popping by and writing such a lovely post, I am truly touched.

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.
Current weight – 186 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

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

Hi good4life,

I have tried to pm you as well as send you a visitor's message but for some reason those options aren't coming up under your name for me to choose and send you a message.

I hope you will come to this thread and find the answers you asked me.

Thanks for popping by and leaving a visitors message, it's great to meet you!

So, you wanted to know what motivates me? Where do I begin?!?! LOL!!!

When I first read your question, I have to admit I thought..."I don't know...that's a good question" however, I've thought about it and have come up with a few ideas of what motivated/s me.

What has motivated me from the beginning was just being able to get through each day by accomplishing everything I needed to do in that day to make it a successful day in my weight loss journey. That would have included eating correctly, drinking the proper amounts of water and making sure I exercised. By the end of the day I could look back and acknowledge myself in the fact that I had a successful day. That made me feel great, as though I had really accomplished something. I really liked the way that felt.

What helped continue to motivate me was sticking to very small daily goals...example.....what I wrote above. If I had a successful day, I would plan on the next day being just as successful (doing exactly what I had done the previous day to make it a successful day). I then started to see the weight come off which was amazing to me....I hadn't seen weight loss in a very long time! I was hungry to see the next pound come off...so on and so forth. It became a challenge to me....I could see I was actually beating my obesity. My clothing started to fit looser which REALLY made me feel amazing and motivated me. Then there was the shopping trips after so much weight had been lost and that made me feel amazing. There were more clothing options every 10 to 20 lbs smaller that I became. People started to take notice and mention that they could see that I was really losing weight, that was a terrific feeling. I would walk through the mall or through the park or other places and young guys and girls wouldn't say horrible things to me anymore like they had done in the past. I began to "fit" in so to speak. I didn't feel tense anymore going into crowds due to the horrible things that would have been said to me....that motivated me.

I would reach new abilities in my daily exercise routines...perhaps I could tack on another 10 minutes on my glider or add 3 more reps with my hand weights. I could feel my body getting stronger and I loved the feeling of that... I started shopping in "regular" sized stores and that put me over the moon so to speak. I remember the first time I was able to fit into a regular size, I found myself feeling guilty for being in a store that carried regular sized clothing while I walked around looking at clothing because I was just waiting for one of the staff to come up and tell me they didn't carry anything in my size (which had happened before or I would receive awkward looks from the sales staff and just be ignored) and then I would realize...."Hey, I can fit in these cloths and I should be in this store!" What an AMAZING feeling!

Some times I would experience weight fluxes on the scales and I would go up 3 to 5 lbs overnight. Instead of letting that get me down, I would challenge myself and tell myself, "you were down 3 to 5 lbs. a day ago...you WILL get there again" and I would make it a game so to speak....keeping in my mind that I would over come the flex. When I managed to do so, I would feel accomplished and in control knowing I could overcome these small weight fluxes when they came my way and that motivated me.

I went from using 1 x Ventolin inhaler every seven days (one should last one month) to using 1 x Ventolin inhaler each month...what an incredible difference! I felt better, more alive, more energetic, more confident.

We would go places and I was able to fit into chairs that I would never have been able to fit in before. People were taking notice and mentioning the difference they had seen in me.....and then....people that I hadn't seen for 6 month to a year wouldn't even recognize that it was me they were talking with...I started to have to introduce myself and they would just about fall over backwards.

There are so many things that motivated me looking back now. Probably too many to mention. The key for me was not getting wrapped up in the long term goal (having to lose 250 lbs. rather, focusing on making each day successful and not giving into fall off the wagon and going back to eating incorrectly. Really investing in myself and realizing I deserved to feel great, be healthy and look good. I did have a few slip ups throughout the year but I made sure I got right back on the wagon and would not give up. That is the worst thing a person can do is to let one slip up lead into another slip up which then goes into another day of slipping up. If I slipped up on eating one thing I shouldn't have, I made sure the next thing I put in my mouth was exactly what it should be. I would evaluate why I slipped up and try to figure out what I could do next time differently to prevent myself from choosing something I shouldn't eat.

By over coming the few times I had slipped up, that motivated me and made me feel really proud of myself that I was able to muster up the strength to carry on and not give in. I was really proud of myself about that and realized, I can do a lot when I put my mind to it and I was the one in control....not the food or the situation at hand.

I have had some very challenging situations personally as well as medically come up this past year. Instead of turning to junk food to deal with these very emotional situations, I reached down deep inside and mustered the courage and strength to get through some very, very difficult situations without using food.

Last month (only two other people on this board knows about what I am about to share....until this post I haven't mentioned this at all and I wasn't going to mention it but I think it's important now to share what I am about to because it demonstrates how I have dealt with some sobering news) a lump was found in my right breast. I watched my grandmother die of breast cancer and now I have gone through the mammogram part, the ultra sound part and next Friday I under go a biopsy to determine what we are facing. I have to admit this past month has been extremely difficult for me and I have been craving like crazy...unlike I have ever in this past year. I know though, this is due to the stress of this lump that has been found. I have cheated this month and have had great difficulty getting past not wanting to cheat each and every single week since finding out this news...but I know it's because of what I am facing that I go back to the old way of looking to food for comfort. So, I work out even harder (exercising) I talk myself through these feeling of eating something I shouldn't, I try to go to bed earlier (night time is the worst time for me to want to eat) and I try to keep my mind on other things and it is getting better. I am happy that I will not give up or give in even under the most difficult matters that I may face and that is a great motivator for me. When it comes down to it at the end of the day.....I deserve to be healthy, fit and feel great and I will not let anything or anyone prevent me from achieving what I and everyone else deserves.

I am motivated daily by this board. The moderators, the supporting members and members are amazing. Reading other people's posts, describing what they are going through or have gone through as well as their success has motivated me a lot. Receiving pm's, visitor's messages and posts to the threads I have written has given me much hope and encouragement. This board has been an important tool to me in my weight loss journey. I have found that I look at my weight loss as not just being about me anymore. it's about others around me too who see what I am doing. I started out in my weight loss journey losing the weight for myself (which is the way one should look at it) but now, I have made a great deal of friends from this board that keep in touch with me on a regular basis and look at my journey and find encouragement in the fact that if I've been able to do it then so can they. Also friends and family who see me on a regular basis have now changed their way of eating because of me and are motivated to be healthy as well....so this is one of the greatest motivating factors for me now and has been for a while. I look at it as though it's not just about me anymore, it's also about a lot of people who are watching what I am doing and that drives and motivates me more than anything. I want to be an example and show that if I can do this anyone can.

Hopefully some of what I shared above answers your question and I hope you can apply some of these examples or aspects into your daily life. I am very proud of you for making the decision to get healthy. Yes, it might be difficult right now staying motivated but I challenge and urge you to dig down deep and not to give in. Believe in yourself and know that you deserve to be healthy, to be fit and to be at a healthy weight for your body.

Please feel free to pm me or write to me anytime, we're all in this together and I would really like to hear about how things are going for you.

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.
Current weight – 186 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Alaskansonya]

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

Sarina, You are an absolute beacon in my world of overweight darkness! Thank you so much for your inspiration! I am restarting and your photos give me such hope. Congratulations on your current success's and good luck on your future success!

[cookiecate]

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

Thats brilliant Sarina, heck I don't worry too much about the odd spelling mistake which I wouldn't have noticed anyway.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your own experiences. I deffinitely understand about the weighing every day which before seemed a bit over the top. You are quite right the poundage that you feel that you have added over a weighing period does cause heartbreak and I can imagine weighing every day would help to keep you on track and also get to know your own body.

Again, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy life to answer my questions. I will certainly measure myself and Mr Cookie. I think the measurements would certainly help him as I can tell that he is much smaller around the belly although the scales don't seem to want to let it go.

The weather here has been really hot. At this time you drink plenty but I find our appetite has gone and we are not eating quite enough.

Anyway my dear thank you again for your kind words.

[Sarina D]

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

Hi Cookiecate,

I knew I forgot something else that I had originally wrote to you about in the message I erased by a mistake! After writing to you the other night I got into bed and realized the part I missed.

Taking one's measurements is very important and really helpful. If you haven't done this yet I highly recommend that you do so right away! It can be most helpful especially when the scales don't appear to be moving.

Sadly when I first started out, I tried to measure and realized there wasn't a measuring tape long enough that would wrap around my abdominal area (I looked like I was carrying 4 x babies...I had a very,very large stomach) which absolutely devastated me so I got so mad and frustrated and didn't take measurements at the beginning...I kick myself now for giving into my frustrations and feelings of disappointment and embarrassment.

I did however decide to give it a go a while after that and measured my abdominal area and then measured the area that the tape could not reach and added them together....so I do have some measurements but not right from the beginning.

Soooo, if you or anyone else that might be reading this message has not measured yet...I STRONGLY encourage you to do so....learn from my mistake of not doing so!
Measuring is a tool that is very valuable and one that we tend to not use as often as we could to track our true progress.
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.
Current weight – 191 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

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

That's a question I wanted to ask you Sarina and now Emre Yigit are scales important and Sarina did you weigh yourself regularly or did you just know you were losing weight? I sometimes feel the scales let you down and make you feel as if the way of eating is not working and that you are just not losing any actual poundage.

Hubs and I are now trying to only weigh once each month but the urge is amazing even if you know you are going to be disappointed.

Hi Cookiecate!

Well, I have to admit I am a scales junky! I weigh myself every morning. For me it has been very helpful to choose to do it this way. Some people choose to weight themselves sometimes once a week, sometimes once every other week and then others choose once a month and that works great for them. I respect and support their decision to do it the way that works best for them.

I don't think on can really say "such and such way is the way it best way it should be done". I find that it's a very individual thing. For me, weighing each day has been very helpful and I have learned some important things doing so. One small example of what I have come to learn by weighing myself each day is how terribly sensitive I am to sodium. Like last night for example my husband and I went out for dinner. I ordered a steak with fried mushrooms. The cook decided to put some salt on my mushrooms. This morning when I woke up and weighed myself I was 193 lbs.....not the normal 191 lbs. that I have been. Knowing what I have come to learn over the last year weighing myself every morning, I knew it was from what I ate lastnight. I'll probably be back to 191 lbs. or smaller either tomorrow morning or the next when I weigh myself.

Another reason I choose to weigh myself each day is sometimes I can have a weight flux over night anywhere from 3 lbs to 5 lbs....I remember when I first discovered this I just about had kittens!!! But what I learned to reckognize was that it would leave either the next morning when I weighed myself or up to 4 days later and then I would have a sudden weight loss...so I would lose the 3 to 5 lbs and then some...it was quite something. I came to realize that what if I weighed myself once a week, or twice a week or even left it for a month and just happened to hit one of those odd days that showed I was up 5 lbs and then left the scales for another month....for me that would have made me feel rather anxious thinking that I had worked really hard and was actually up 5 lbs...that wouldn't be so cool going another month with that on my mind. So for me, it has been helpful to weigh myself each morning. It has been a great tool for me in learning to understand what might be going on with my body and has kept me on track.

Once again, I can't say either way what is best for anyone else, however, weighing everyday for me works well. I don't get depressed over small fluctuations and get really excited to see them go and the weight that I lose follow.

Cookiecate, thank you for taking the time to share with me your story and updates on what works for you and what doesn't. I appreciate it very much. I have enjoyed our back and forth chit chats and look forward to continuing to do so.

I apologize for any spelling errors or gramatical mistakes...I am on my lap top writing this....I sat down a little while ago and responded already to your question and was at the very end when all of a sudden my thumb hit my curser pad and erased my first response to you! It's now just after 2:00am and I have to get bed as I have an early morning dr's appt. before I head to my office so I won't have time to re-read what I have written above....sorry for any errors that may pop up!

Have a fabulous low carb day and keep in touch, it's great talking with you and getting to know you better!

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.
Current weight – 191 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[Sarina D]

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

Fantastic! Inspirational! Thank you for sharing, and congratulations for sticking with the program. I know trips can be a little tricky in the first couple of stages of OWL, but if you have your scales with you, you can't go wrong.

All the best.

Hi Emre,

Thank you very much!!!!

As I mentioned on a different thread, last few days have been most difficult due to outrageous cravings....I've never experienced such cravings like this before. Yesterday I decided to try to nip it in the bud and started to take Chromium Picolinate....I'm relieved to say it did the trick and today was a much easier day....I can't say I have had any craving for sweet stuff at all today.....phew!

Happy low carbing!

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.
Current weight – 191 lbs.
Goal weight - 150 – 160

[cookiecate]

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

That's a question I wanted to ask you Sarina and now Emre Yigit are scales important and Sarina did you weigh yourself regularly or did you just know you were losing weight? I sometimes feel the scales let you down and make you feel as if the way of eating is not working and that you are just not losing any actual poundage.

Hubs and I are now trying to only weigh once each month but the urge is amazing even if you know you are going to be disappointed.