[Gale02]

You look fantastic! And, let me echo another poster that says NO ONE looks thin in a graduation gown. They are meant to be huge and billowy tent-like garments. You were rocking your dress, you are definitely a thin person!

[Veal2Steel]

First congrats on your graduation! Secondly,I had to read it twice to see that you weigh 178. You carry it well! Speaking of carrying it well, I would like you to go to a grocery store and grab one of those mombo super sized 50 lb bags of dog food.Now just hoist it on your shoulders and casually stroll around the store for an hour or so. Oh wait! Not so easy,is it? You have LOST nearly that much weight.It might not feel that drastic because it didn't happen all at once,but that is a huge deal! My weight is coming of very slowly too. I know it gets frustrating. Do not give up!

[MonicaM]

It is impossible to tell how big or small anyone is in a graduation gown. Check out your face; hmmm, no double chin!

Try to find photos of others in their graduation robes.......You will not find one who looks their normal size.

You are young. Take this weight off NOW.

[Sunshine87]

First of all you look beautiful and there really is a big difference between your befores and afters. Now let me share a little story that I will hope help you to stick with it.
Last year a friend and myself each lost a good bit of weight. I lost almost the same as you have and he lost about 35lbs. We both still had 30-40 lbs to go. I lost most of my weight in the spring/summer and last fall I was maintaining about 5lbs above my lowest. I remember feeling awful about gaining those 5lbs back. I felt like I was never going to lose the weight and I was discouraged. Then in January I started to give up. I ate and ate and hated myself every day. This continued for several months until I finally gained it all back +some. I look back on last fall and curse myself for not applauding myself for what I had done even if I gained 5lbs back. I looked good but I let my discouragement get the best of me. My friend has continued to lose weight and is now within 10lbs of his goal. I am (was a few weeks ago) the highest weight I have ever been. I am begging you to not give up. YOU HAVE TO PUSH THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES. I know it is so frustrating but do not do what I did. Don't give up on yourself because you will get it. And you look awesome.

[Jeannette311]

You are gorgeous! And you're doing so well! Don't give up! I gave up so many times. All that effort wasted. You'll get there, just give it time.

[Regera Dowdy]

Originally Posted by ScrappyJay

I forgot to mention that I went to the student health office last Tuesday and 2 weeks prior to that, and when they weighed me, I was 185-186??? I mean, like I said, I only "officially" weigh myself with the scale at home, but the fact that the doctor's scale says I'm even heavier than I thought is a little discouraging. Especially since it's weight that the Navy requirements go by. Gahh...

Do you normally weigh yourself fully clothed? Did you at the health office? I don't know what it is with hospital scales, but that happened to me too. I weighed ~156 and the scale at the hospital read about ~168. I thought it was probably because of all the clothes since I wear pajamas and no shoes at home.

Or maybe doctors' scales are just very bitter and spiteful.

It's not silly to have doubts. We all have doubts sometimes, and regaining/redoubling your resolve is the way to move forward. After all, you're over 60% of the way to your goal.

[Ferumbras]

It also matters on the time of day you weigh. If at home you weigh in the morning but at the doctor's it's mid-afternoon, after lunch and several glasses of water, that'll make a definite difference.

[Kaonashi]

There's a definite difference in the pictures you posted and you've already lost 50 pounds. Don't give up!

[indiblue]

The way I see it the more weight we lose the more strict we have to be with our weight loss plan. Eating healthy may have worked for the first 25% of the weight loss plan, but eventually we have to tighten up more, get more focused, and be more strict. I had to go from eating intuitively --> calorie counting --> being very strict about macronutrient levels.

It's frustrating because we've all had the moments where we say "I'm doing everything right, why did this stop working!" But the way I see it I may be doing everything RIGHT but I can always do something BETTER (see signature )- there's always something I can change or improve upon with my weight loss strategy. And the minute I stop losing I always revisit that question- what can I do better?

Congrats on your success so far and best wishes for your continued journey!

[astrophe]

So your mom's got to work on her photography skills. Why blame your body for that?

And so what if the doc scale measures you at one thing and your home scale at another? The point is the CHANGE in the number. Not that one scale doesn't match the calibration of another. Write the doctor number down and the next time you weigh at the doctor see if there was a CHANGE.

You look great in your pix -- but I've never seen you ever til now. You see yourself every single second of the day -- so that's why it is harder for you to see change. How can you see what isn't there? If you want to FEEL change, go carry some 50 lbs elementary schooler in a piggyback ride. THAT is what you have worked off.

Hang in there and keep at it!

A.