In 2004 I was the fat girl who pretended to be happy all the time. My hair was flame red to draw attention from my body and my smile stretched from ear to ear…and my clothes stretched to fit my frame. It’s expensive to find decent clothes on a college budget. I was more interested in wings with friends and late night Chinese food take out while studying and making lesson plans to student teach.
I’d tried everything to lose weight. Fad diets, crash diets, no diets, and the stupidest diets of them all. None of it worked and I blamed the medications I take for Bipolar Disorder.
I was the typical before picture but I’d never believe I would be a constantly changing after today.
I don’t keep many before pictures because I hated every one. I offered to take all the photos and tried to hide my body behind others when forced into the picture. In high school I weighed approximately 205 pounds and thought I was huge. I wasn’t happy with me. But I do have a few that some wonderful friends have scanned and shared on Facebook much to my chagrin.
By college graduation I was over 240 and stopped weighing myself. Each time it was more depressing. I was a yo-yo…up and down. I don’t have a photo of me at my highest weight.
When I finally decided to lose weight I dropped 80 pound fast. In six months I didn’t even recognize myself.
When I started seminary food was free and class and stress left little time to exercise. I regained 15 pounds before I knew it. I joined Weight Watchers with friends and despite a major back problem I lost 125 pounds.
At my wedding I felt amazing and gorgeous. It was the princess fairytale girls dream of even though I was too busy climbing trees.
On my wedding day the dress was TOO BIG!
I bought it nine months prior to the wedding when I was 35 pounds heavier. The seamstress did not adjust the seams and I almost had a wardrobe malfunction. Some fancy pin placements by one of my lovely bridesmaids literally covered my butt.
After several health problems I’m up 25 pounds from my healthiest weight. I am constantly changing. I would say before “I’m a constantly changing after.” For me being an after isn’t hitting certain number on a scale but proving to my body daily I can and will work to be the healthiest I can be.
I’m up for any more changes that come my way….because It All Changes.
[...] Photos [...]
Congrats! I am sure you are excited about you and your achievment
It is a nice feeling when you get to shop through your closet (or friends) for a smaller size cloths 
[...] Photos [...]
Great work, you look wonderful! Your blog is an inspiration for me…thanks!
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoy it
Excellent blog! I love reading about your transformation–you look great, and have such a healthy and positive perspective on health and wellness. All the best to you.
Thank you so much! I hope you stick around to read more.
Great story; you told it very well. I found you through your comment on KERF and look forward to reading more.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy sticking around and reading more
[...] though all the changes life throws at you. Skip to content Home101 Things in 1001 DaysAboutBefore & After PhotosExercise GoalsMy JourneyRecipes ← Where Did the [...]
Congratulations! You are such an inspiration. I’m definitely going to follow your blog. I’m just a few weeks into WW……again.
Mrs. O
I’m a repeat WW too. I got to lifetime and then stopped with crazy stuff and realized I needed the support of friends struggling with the same things.
[...] about Cynthia’s journey to her happy weight, by reading about Her Journey, and checking out her Before & After photos. Also, be sure to check out what Cynthia is up to these days by keeping up with her awesome [...]
WOW.. you have come a long way and i wish you much more happy success!
I’m working on your header as we speak. Hopefully i’ll have something for you to look at soon.
Thanks so much! I’m looking forward to it and appreciate all the hard work.
I just found your blog and look forward to reading more. I love the before and after pictures! Good job!!
Thanks a lot. I hope you enjoy them!
amazing! Congratulations on getting healthy!!
Thanks it was worth the work!
You look great! Congrats on your huge achievement x
Thank you so much!!
[...] Listen and learn from everyone – even your pets – and have fun with your family and friends. Healthy living is full of fears that are ours to conquer. Don’t even think of getting off the roller coaster before it starts. Take each twist and turn one at a time and give yourself the credit you deserve for how far you’ve come. [...]
[...] Listen and learn from everyone – even your pets – and have fun with your family and friends. Healthy living is full of fears that are ours to conquer. Don’t even think of getting off the roller coaster before it starts. Take each twist and turn one at a time and give yourself the credit you deserve for how far you’ve come. [...]
[...] 2004 I decided enough was enough. My body couldn’t take any more of the weight I added… time to subtract the pounds. The internet and calorie counting were simple switches I could do [...]
[...] your typical pictures on a Weight Watchers post. Usually the pictures are reversed…and they used to [...]
[...] worked out, wrote out what I ate, tried new recipes and had fun. I did it. After 3 years I went from the girl who ate everything, could barely walk and felt [...]
Congrats! Your weight loss is really inspriring. Your pictures are amazing.
Tiffany recently wrote about..Shrinkvivor Check-In Week 1 – Go Team Pink!
[...] changes she’s found that health comes in many forms, foods, and fun. The big changes are an over 100 pound weight loss, running a quarter marathon, and learning healthy changes are necessary…even if abit [...]
[...] changes she’s found that health comes in many forms, foods, and fun. The big changes are an over 100 pound weight loss, running a quarter marathon, and learning healthy changes are necessary…even if a bit [...]
[...] changes she’s found that health comes in many forms, foods, andfun. The big changes are an over 100 pound weight loss, running aquarter marathon, and learning healthy changes are necessary…even if a bit scary. 0 [...]
This is just a GREAT summary of it all:
For me being an after isn’t hitting certain number on a scale but proving to my body daily I can and will work to be the healthiest I can be
It’s so true and so what we ALL should strive for. So many people think they are “done” when they hit that magic number. It doesn’t end there. As an “after” we still need to strive every day to take care of our bodies in the best possible way.
Love this!!