Goal Photo Album If you've reached goal, please share your before and after photos to help inspire others, and show off your new body!

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Old 12-03-2010, 08:42 AM   #1  
One step at a time
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Default Size 12 to Size 0...Finally my "got to goal!" thread

I have never posted a reached-goal-weight thread, but on December 14th, I will have maintained for 6 months. Thought it was past due

Many of you know me from around the forum, and I feel like I've made legitimate friends here. This has been the biggest transformation of my life, and I owe a LOT of props to the guidance, support, and occasional butt-kicking I've gotten here. 3FC has been invaluable...so to each and all of you and to 3FC itself, thank you.

A bit about me/my weight background just to follow tradition. I was born and raised in Sheridan, WY. No matter where I go, I'll always be a ranch kid and my heart will always be in the Big Horn mountains and the prairies. When I was 14, I went to New Hampshire to Phillips Exeter Academy, a challenging prep school. For college, I turned down Cornell to go South. I've spent the last few years getting a degree in Agriculture at Auburn University in Alabama (War Eagle!). In a few days, I'm marrying the love of my life, an Army Captain named Sean. In January we're moving to Oklahoma for a few short months, then going wherever the Army sends us! My life in a nutshell.

As for my weight issues, I was always a chubby kid. I've never been "fat," but I was always the big kid. My mother is a severe late stage alcoholic and was gone for most of my childhood between rehabs, jail, AA meetings, going out drinking after AA meetings, and somehow fitting in enough work to kind of support us. Starting at age 7, I was home alone most days and many nights. I got myself up, put myself to bed, got myself to school, did my homework, and cooked for myself. Mac and cheese was cheap, I knew how to make it, so I ate a lot of it. Every night, in fact. Also, I wasn't allowed to go outside, so I'd sit at home, alone, every single day even in the summers. I figured out early on that food interrupted the monotony. It brought me comfort and distraction from lonliness to eat. On the weekends that I was with my father, he'd "spoil" me with sundaes and other treats. I learned to use food when I was happy, sad, lonely, stressed, celebrating, etc. On top of that, I never developed the desire to be active because I was not allowed to. I was a smart kid, and I knew what good healthy foods were, but I never had anybody guiding me to make healthy choices and form healthy habits. Nor did I have the ability or resources to make healthy choices even if I wanted to. When I was 14 and moved away from home to boarding school, I was, yet again, responsible for my own choices. But instead of having macaroni and cheese everyday, I had a fantastic dining hall available to me all day everyday. College was more of the same.

I do not use my childhood as an excuse, and I don't hide behind it...anymore, at least. But I have accepted that it is where I come from and it presents certain challenges that I'll always have to face. I'm proud of who I am and how I turned out, and I do not limit what I can be or what I can achieve because of a less than ideal upbringing.

As for my weight loss plan, I lost nearly 60lbs between Nov '09 and June '10. I started out with simply logging food. Not calorie counting, persay, but forcing myself to write down my food that I was eating encouraged me to eat less. I wanted to eat a healthy meal so I'd be proud to write it down. The first few pounds flew off which was encouraging. My logging and eventually calorie counting got more specific and sophisticated. Absolutely no foods are off limits to me. I prefer to eat a LOT of food, so the foods I choose are low-calorie and high volume. This naturally translates to unprocessed foods, lean protein, high fiber, etc. About once a month, I plan a free indulgence day where I can eat whatever I want for that whole day that has been planned in advance. I jump right back on plan the next day. Exercise hasn't been too important to me, I walk 60 minutes everyday, but that's about it. I've been trying to motivate myself to continue a strength training routine, but haven't found the drive yet. But I need to. I've maintained my weight for six months following the same principles. Moderate exercise, calorie counting, and occasional indulgences. Habits that I plan on keeping for the rest of my life.

So for those of you that just skipped to the before/after pictures, here they are

Before...these are the most flattering pictures from those days. I unfortunately never kept the ones where you could truly get a feel for my size.





Aaaand some afters






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Old 12-03-2010, 08:45 AM   #2  
This is the time!
 
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Congratulations on making your goal! and on getting engaged! So exciting!!!
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Old 12-03-2010, 08:56 AM   #3  
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I only see one picture, but my goodness, what a gorgeous picture it is! (Black dress...probably my computer issue.) Megan, I'm so happy for you! You've done so well and more important than the weight loss itself, you are figuring out how to maintain amidst just a little life upheaval. This will serve you well!!

Have fun on your wedding day!

Last edited by Eliana; 12-03-2010 at 09:28 AM.
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Old 12-03-2010, 08:58 AM   #4  
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Congratulations!!!! You look amazing, seriously!!! Congratulations on your engagement and your upcoming wedding!
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Old 12-03-2010, 09:17 AM   #5  
I'm a SWIMMER!
 
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GOrGE-OUS!!!! I don't know you...but I'm REALLY so very happy for you!!! Yeahhhhh Megan!!!

P.S. You were gorgeous before the weight loss IMHO, but you've really gone over the top now!
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Old 12-03-2010, 09:28 AM   #6  
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You are a true beauty! Stunning. You've been a great inspiration and a very fun poster since day 1 when I joined this forum. I hope you stay with us and encourage others through your maintanence.
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Old 12-03-2010, 09:47 AM   #7  
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What an insighful post ! Congratulations on taking charge of your life !
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Old 12-03-2010, 09:49 AM   #8  
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Beautiful Megan! Congrats and have a wonderful wedding!
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Old 12-03-2010, 09:49 AM   #9  
Joie de Vivre!!
 
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You look amazing! Though you were still very pretty before. =)
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Old 12-03-2010, 10:02 AM   #10  
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I hope you keep that turquoise sundress. You look like a model.
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Old 12-03-2010, 10:52 AM   #11  
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Congratulations on everything! on exceeding in life, your attitude, it is really amazing. Your upbringing made me cry how awful for a child to be raised in such a way I am a mom and it completely breaks my heart I am so so sorry you had to go thru that. You are beautiful even in your before pictures! Good luck on the wedding and journey you are about to embark on!
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Old 12-03-2010, 11:13 AM   #12  
On a mission
 
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Congrats! You have earned every success! Enjoy, and Congrats on the wedding!
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Old 12-03-2010, 11:37 AM   #13  
Healthy is Beautiful
 
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Congrats on everything! You're going to be a gorgeous bride!
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Old 12-03-2010, 11:50 AM   #14  
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you were gorgeous before, but now...you just radiate health and happiness. good for you! you look stunning. your fiance sure is easy on the eyes too
congratulations girl!!
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Old 12-03-2010, 12:21 PM   #15  
I am worth it
 
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Amazing, you are just gorgeous!
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