Great job! I am glad that you were able to post these photos and show the reality of what really happens to our bodies. Our bodies do not miraculously transform into some airbrushed super model body just because we lose weight. What we get is what we are just in a smaller more compact size.
I used to obsess over this too while losing weight. Now that I have lost the weight, I no longer worry about it. Yes, I have some wrinkly skin, lots of stretch marks and various other wiggly parts, but I had those when I was heavy as well!!! I am proud of my body the way it is now. I am confident in the way I look and carry myself. I will rock my size 2 jeans and mini skirts at age 45 and be happy for what I have accomplished. Life is too short to focus our attention on things that just are....
Thank you, Cary, for taking me up on my suggestion in that earlier thread. I join many others in appreciating your candor. You have done us all a lot of good by showing us these pictures. And I believe that, in turn, it's also going to do you some good, hearing your hard work & your bravery validated by everyone posting here.
We do really need pictures of real women -- that we see every day, that we work with, that we interact on this board -- post-weight-loss. We all are carrying airbrushed pictures of models & actresses in our heads, and I'm not sure that sometimes they're doing us any good. We don't have to aspire to look exactly like that, and to be dissatisfied with ourselves if we don't achieve it, in every detail. We just need to do our best & try to be the best version of ourselves that we can be -- and that's a lot of work, with all the obstacles that life seems to throw at us daily. That's really enough.
@TamiL-you look amazing! Congratulations.
Also, I agree with everything that everyone on this thread has already said. If I didn't have something to obsess over, I wouldn't be happy!!
However, I am thrilled to be losing weight and thrilled to have the problem of loose skin.
My biggest problem right now is that my boobs look like 2 deflated tiny balloons. None of my bras fit and I look like I am playing dress up in them. That's after only 40 lbs. I can't imagine after 105 lbs. lost. I have always lost weight from the top down. This time, of course, is no different. BUT, I will be able to shop at Victoria's Secret. I always look at the bright side of every situation.
All of you are amazing and I am so glad to have found this site. Thank you all very much.
Cary, bless your sweet heart for posting those pics. It'll be much worse for me, but it's all relative. You look outstanding!
I understand the gals who still have most of their weight to lose who are in a flurry about what their bodies are going to look like when they are done. Sometimes we can keep ourselves so numb with the food that we truly don't understand what we are doing to ourselves. Then we have that "aha" moment, commit to a healthy lifestyle, and then have to truly mourn what being overweight has cost us. I don't think any of us can really recover from obesity totally unscathed. For some of the younger girls, that mourning probably takes the form of understanding that they may never be the hottest girl on the beach. For me, I have robbed myself of being fit and healthy for the first 9 years of my daughter's life.
No question we will all be healthier and probably happier as the weight continues to come off. But I imagine we all have our demons to fight on the way down!
Sometimes we can keep ourselves so numb with the food that we truly don't understand what we are doing to ourselves.
This is so true! Why didn't we think - oh no, what will I look like NOW if I eat this? Where was the concern THEN? Because as we all know, you can't cover up the fat, there is no concealing it. And it is always in the way.
Not to mention that the fat potentially causes a slew of debilitating and deadly diseases - extra skin - nada.
The time to have thought of it was before and during. Now, we've got to deal with the consequences. I am thankful beyond to belief though, to have to deal with those said consequences. Because the consequences of keeping the weight on - waaaaaaay worse set of consequences.
You know what I think is terrific about YOUR body? You have fabulous, FABULOUS arms and legs and that's all anyone sees clothed!! You can sport tank tops and shorts!!
I have worked very, very hard to get the arms you have and I'm still working toward those legs.
You look great! I personally have some issues with how my body looks naked BUT I make sure to look every day, pay attention, and gradually I am accepting it. It is not bad really, and people always say I look hot when I am out and about so I'll take that.
"For some of the younger girls, that mourning probably takes the form of understanding that they may never be the hottest girl on the beach."
Screw that, I don't care if my tummy does get all hangy, I'll get a tummy control suit and still be the hottest girl on the beach. Hot is a state of mind.
