I've only posted a few times here so far, but I enjoy reading many of the posts here. I wanted to do a before and after photo of my progress so far. I always love to see other's photos, so I thought I'd contribute. My photos are only of my face as I was fascinated to see the change and if I actually have any cheek bones! Unfortunately, I was only using my wide-angle (the most unflattering view one can see of their features....lol) using my scabby phone camera, but you get the picture.
I'm almost at goal. I suppose 10 or 15 kilos to go doesn't sound like being close to goal, but I've lost 50 kilos, so it feels very close to me. I can't tell you (and most of you will know through personal experience) how wonderfully my life has changed! I'll turn 50 this year and will be in the best shape ever. So enjoying my life now, and I've had so many positive changes in my health, the most important one for me being going from pre-diabetic to hardly registering on the blood-sugar chart! So amazing. The summer heat doesn't get to me at all now, and this summer the temperatures have been up there (34°C), whereas I used to suffer so much in the heat of the summer. I've dieted all my adult life and never been able to diet for more than 6 months at a time (which was my most successful), but mostly for only a few weeks at a time. I have finally found success, and the key has been to attack my issues from a purely biological level: kill the cravings! To do that, I've cut out all refined sugar, refined carbs (so no bread, pasta, rice and grains) and to eat plenty of nutrient-dense foods, plenty of good fats and protein and lots of veges with about 2 servings of fruit per day. That works out to between 80-150 grams of carbs daily. It has changed my taste buds, too. I didn't realise that I LOVE apples!! Who knew...I thought I hated them...lol.
I know that many on the low-lower carb plan don't count calories, but that just has never worked for me. But I hate counting calories, so I use the old WW ProPoints system (which is basically calorie counting made easy), and that has been great for me. Btw, the day I cut out grains was the day my IBS went away. Any of you suffering with that awful condition will know how that alone changes one's life! My gout has disappeared, I no longer have tiny skin tags all over my neck, my triglycerides have gone from 2.9 to 0.4, I no longer have fatty liver, I have energy!! That's a huge difference. I love HIKING and CYCLING (the caps express my surprise....I have freaked myself out learning all these things about myself....lol).
So, anyway, this post was longer than I intended, so here is the photo. Thanks for posting all your experiences. It's very encouraging and helpful.
Oops, sorry, all. Just read the rule where I can't upload any images until my post count reads 20 or greater.
Anyway, I hope the post is encouraging to those who are looking for a little encouragement. 
