[Shannonxo]

So, I thought it was time for before and afters! Hopefully these work, I'm uploading them on a friends server.
---

Before

(this was taken after I'd lost about my first 10 pounds, so I was a bit bigger before. But, well, you get the gist!)

After



(sorry if the 'afters' are a bit small, but they were taken with two different cameras.)

Oh, and yes, a good way to make a fool of myself-- spell 'those' wrong! ;P

[Ready2ShedLBS]

Wow.. thats amazing congrats!! How much have you lost! You look great girl.

[Shannonxo]

Wow.. thats amazing congrats!! How much have you lost! You look great girl.

Thankies! Right now, I've lost about 95ish pounds.

[futuresurferchick]

Wow! In the first pic, you look very similar to me! What motivation! Congrats. What weight did you start at, if you don't mind sharing?

[Shannonxo]

Awh, thankies! I believe I started somewhere in the 290's-285's range. I'm not exactly sure on the exact pound, because when I really first started I wasn't too focused on weighing myself every week. Of course, now you can't get me off of the scale! -Sigh-

[sli]

WOW, you can really see the difference! You look great! You also seem to have more confidence.
CONGRATS!

[Jtjoray]

You look really great! Congrats!!! Im happy for you. : ) By the way..how long did it take you to lose your 95 pounds? What have you been doing?

[JasonsLea]

You look fabulous Shannon!

[dalai_lala]

Wow! What a great job and you look fantastic, and so happy! Yes, please tell us about your hard work... be proud of it...

I started somewhere near 290 myself so it's great to see someone else do so well. Thanks for posting pics!

(still playing that funky music) (let's boogie!)

-Lala

[Misti in Seattle]

Wow, Shannon... you look great! Congratulations.

[ArtsyGirl]

Woohoo! What an awesome job you have done! You look incredible. You must have great determination to have achieved so much. Congratulations and PLEASE share any words of wisdom you've realized through your journey.

[Rosario]

you look sooo cute. thanks for proving hard work and determination do pay off. keep at it girlie!!!

[sierra_ttw]

Wow - you look amazing, Shannon! Congratulations!

[LynneA]

Congrats Shannon! Look at those jeans in the 2nd after pic, they're hanging off you! Well done .

[Shannonxo]

<3 You guys are so nice! I have to say, the smile on my face from reading such nice responses is quite permenant right now!

And to answer a few questions, my weight loss right now has taken about 9 months, although I still hope to lose a bit more (my doctor says he's 'happy', but I could still stand to lose a bit more to be considered healthy. I just about attacked him! ). I don't think I really follow any 'diet', per say. Atkins/South Beach? Tried it, and that lasted about a day until I saw a bagel. Other diets that put limitations on me? Tried them, but they lasted about a day too! Needless to say, I'm bad at diets that put limitations. So, I invented my own diet of to which I call the 'Shannon Diet'. I eat when I'm hungry, but instead of fattening foods it's healthy alternatives. Of course, everyone is allowed 'those days', and I can't say that I've never cheated and had some pizza! But now, instead of eating five pieces, I'll have one/two pieces sans the blue cheese (alright, alright, plus SOME blue cheese! ) My only big obstacle is the fact that my parents think I'm starving myself, but it's just because they've never really controlled what they ate. They think a cup of breakfast of two bowls of cereal is normal, but I know it's not! Then, the exercising-- three/four days of cardio with weight lifting is usually what I do. Dancing is definately a newfound love of mine! I'm considering joining a ballet class, but I'm clumsy...Not a good combination!