The End Of Another Year, 2008 Up-date Stories and Photo's

cheri · 12-25-2008, 10:23 PM

Someone asked me the other day to update my weight loss story since mine is about 4 years old. So I will just continue where I left off. First of all I am very happy to say that i have been losing weight at a steady pace and am almost where I want to be. When I started losing weight I had to change the relationship I had with food. I had to make it not as big a part of my life as it was becoming. I was waking up thinking about what I was going to eat for the day.. what yummy fattening thing I could make for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. It was consuming my thoughts. It was my only comfort... I had gained so much weight that I didn't have control over my body anymore... I was at risk of developing diabetes. At my heaviest I started having a lot of medical issues.. I developed osteoarthritis in both my knees.. my hips and back hurt.. I had fluid retention in both my feet and my hands, I had shortness of breath, even with minimal exertion. Having reduced mobility was leading to a poor quality of life for me and for my kids. I wasn't the fun mom I used to be. I had poor self-esteem (self-worth) and a poor self image. I was severely depressed. I stopped doing things with my kids because I didn't want to go out of the house. My weight was defining who I was.. not who I wanted to be. So I made the decision that enough was enough.. I wanted to take control of my life back so I started my weight loss journey. I had a few falls along the way... I had a few surgeries.. and a really bad car wreck that kept me from exercising for a while.. I was in so much pain from a bulging disk in my neck that I felt like I slept a year of my life away because I was on so much pain killers and muscle relaxers that kept me so sleepy... For the last three years I have been on the road to recovery. In the beginning of my weight loss journey I had started out about 300 pounds which is a lot on a 4' 11" frame. Now I am less than half my size. With weight loss comes a lot of wonderful changes. I am a much happier person. I actually like going out of the house.. I like doing things with my family instead of sitting on the sidelines. I am living my life again.. and boy what a wonderful life it is getting to be.

When you lose as much weight as I have you really begin to notice a lot of changes. I no longer get out of breath going up the stairs. Though I had developed Osteoarthritis in both knees, a lot of the pain is no longer there. This has freed me to be able to exercise. It is so much easier to get off the floor. I remember having to push up on a chair.. or the couch. Now when I am in the grocery store, if I need something from the bottom shelf, I just squat down..get the item and stand right back up again.. My appearance has definately changed a lot also. My stomach is almost back to being flat.. I will have to have a tummytuck to achieve those results however.. My rearend has gotten a lot smaller. and I mean a LOT! I also notice that I have developed collarbones! My face isn't as full anymore. I finally bought a full length mirror. I didn't have one before because I hated to see myself in it. But now.. I really like shopping for clothes.. I still have a small amount of weight to lose and will need some corrective surgery on the extra skin I have developed. This journey has been so worth it.. I am really liking myself much better.. I want to thank all of you for your support. If it wasn't for you and this wonderful site I don't think I would be where I am right now.

Here are a few updated pictures.. I need to get some new ones taken however as I have lost since I took these.

hummingbird11 · 12-26-2008, 01:58 AM

WOW Cheri! You. Look. Maaaaaahvelous Dahling! KUTGW!

Bobby · 12-26-2008, 03:12 AM

Looking good girl!!

JuliaL · 12-26-2008, 04:59 AM

Way to go, Cheri! You look fantastic!

somethingblue2u · 12-26-2008, 08:31 AM

Beautiful! And I love your hair!

sugarless4life · 12-26-2008, 08:36 AM

What an incredible difference!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheri, WOW WOW WOW is all I can say ! I loved reading your story and seeing how your HEALTH has improved along with the weight loss. THAT'S WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT!

Betty

LoraJR72 · 12-26-2008, 08:43 AM

Looking fantastic, Cheri!

anniemo · 12-26-2008, 09:10 AM

Wow! You look great and thank you for moderating this wonderful site!

Rosetta · 12-26-2008, 09:13 AM

Cheri, you look amazing! Congrats! What a change for your health and your whole life, it's truly terrific.

Fatbrat · 12-26-2008, 09:17 AM

You look great! Thanks for the update, it gives us newbies/ renewies hope!

hummingbird11 · 12-26-2008, 12:59 PM

DITTO & DITTO !!

Quote:

Originally Posted by somethingblue2u

Beautiful! And I love your hair!

Quote:

Originally Posted by anniemo

Wow! You look great and thank you for moderating this wonderful site!

Swifty1014 · 12-26-2008, 01:22 PM

Still Lookin Great!

walkingwoman · 12-26-2008, 01:48 PM

Thanks for sharing

Kaimi2008 · 12-26-2008, 02:34 PM

Gulp, on the before picture.

You look great!

moreluvr · 12-26-2008, 05:36 PM

My favorite compliment is what I am going to say to you-'You are Gorgeous!' and I love your hair, too!!

mjais · 12-26-2008, 06:07 PM

Cheri, you look great!

Seriously...what a difference. Amazing!

Thanks for sharing and updating your weightloss journey with us. And a huge thanks for all that you do to help this site run smoothly.

Wishing you all the best for 2009

FloridaShell · 12-26-2008, 06:09 PM

You look wonderful!!!!

becksterinindy · 12-26-2008, 06:09 PM

Awesome Cheri ........ KUTGW

Thanks for sharing

lisabinil · 12-27-2008, 09:23 AM

Awesome and inspiring!

pennylovesdarren · 12-27-2008, 11:46 AM

You are very beautiful! Congrats!

skeopple · 12-28-2008, 06:11 PM

I want my chin(s) to look like yours does now!!!!! Our befores are very similar. I'm slower than molasses but never quitting this WOE.

Good job and Good luck on the rest and maintaining.

jezzie · 12-29-2008, 06:08 AM

Absolutely 'drop dead gorgeous' in both the before and the afters.

.

Diana · 12-29-2008, 09:59 AM

Awesome job!!!! You are just GLOWING!

JustDoYou · 01-01-2009, 02:58 PM

Cheri,

All I can say is Wow, I've been on the boards for a long time now and it's amazing seeing you just shrink away. You are absolutely beautiful! KUTGW!!

cheri · 01-02-2009, 03:19 AM

Thank you so very much everyone! I will get some updated pictures taken and will add them when I can.. I just had to reformat my computer and need to get my photo programs put back on here. I do look thinner then the pictures I posted so that is bothering me some which will motivate me to put new ones on..

It feels really good to have lost so much.. Yesterday I had a friend that hasn't seen me in a few months run up to me in the store and say I have lost so much weight just in the last couple of months! They repeated it several times during our conversation lol... It sure motivates me to stay on course and not put the weight back on!!

Thanks again!

cheri

Kiley2801 · 01-02-2009, 09:41 AM

Wow! You look like a completely different person in those 2 pics!! What an amazing transformation--Congratulations!

Doggygirl · 01-02-2009, 11:53 AM

You look MAH-Valous DAH-ling!!!! And I too love love love your locks!!

DG

Loner · 01-05-2009, 04:48 AM

very nice Cheri

Caro · 01-05-2009, 06:34 AM

wow!! how incredible!!! you are amazing and i am so proud of you!!!

LLC · 01-05-2009, 06:41 AM

Wow. Wow. Wow, Cheri! You look fab!

12-25-2008, 10:23 PM	#1
cheri Administrator Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 15,515 Gallery: cheri Stats: Over 140 pounds lost!	The End Of Another Year, 2008 Up-date Stories and Photo's Someone asked me the other day to update my weight loss story since mine is about 4 years old. So I will just continue where I left off. First of all I am very happy to say that i have been losing weight at a steady pace and am almost where I want to be. When I started losing weight I had to change the relationship I had with food. I had to make it not as big a part of my life as it was becoming. I was waking up thinking about what I was going to eat for the day.. what yummy fattening thing I could make for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. It was consuming my thoughts. It was my only comfort... I had gained so much weight that I didn't have control over my body anymore... I was at risk of developing diabetes. At my heaviest I started having a lot of medical issues.. I developed osteoarthritis in both my knees.. my hips and back hurt.. I had fluid retention in both my feet and my hands, I had shortness of breath, even with minimal exertion. Having reduced mobility was leading to a poor quality of life for me and for my kids. I wasn't the fun mom I used to be. I had poor self-esteem (self-worth) and a poor self image. I was severely depressed. I stopped doing things with my kids because I didn't want to go out of the house. My weight was defining who I was.. not who I wanted to be. So I made the decision that enough was enough.. I wanted to take control of my life back so I started my weight loss journey. I had a few falls along the way... I had a few surgeries.. and a really bad car wreck that kept me from exercising for a while.. I was in so much pain from a bulging disk in my neck that I felt like I slept a year of my life away because I was on so much pain killers and muscle relaxers that kept me so sleepy... For the last three years I have been on the road to recovery. In the beginning of my weight loss journey I had started out about 300 pounds which is a lot on a 4' 11" frame. Now I am less than half my size. With weight loss comes a lot of wonderful changes. I am a much happier person. I actually like going out of the house.. I like doing things with my family instead of sitting on the sidelines. I am living my life again.. and boy what a wonderful life it is getting to be. When you lose as much weight as I have you really begin to notice a lot of changes. I no longer get out of breath going up the stairs. Though I had developed Osteoarthritis in both knees, a lot of the pain is no longer there. This has freed me to be able to exercise. It is so much easier to get off the floor. I remember having to push up on a chair.. or the couch. Now when I am in the grocery store, if I need something from the bottom shelf, I just squat down..get the item and stand right back up again.. My appearance has definately changed a lot also. My stomach is almost back to being flat.. I will have to have a tummytuck to achieve those results however.. My rearend has gotten a lot smaller. and I mean a LOT! I also notice that I have developed collarbones! My face isn't as full anymore. I finally bought a full length mirror. I didn't have one before because I hated to see myself in it. But now.. I really like shopping for clothes.. I still have a small amount of weight to lose and will need some corrective surgery on the extra skin I have developed. This journey has been so worth it.. I am really liking myself much better.. I want to thank all of you for your support. If it wasn't for you and this wonderful site I don't think I would be where I am right now. Here are a few updated pictures.. I need to get some new ones taken however as I have lost since I took these. __________________ My Low Carb Story My end of 2008 update! Don't be a victim of Dieters remorse.. Don't cheat.. stay on plan!

12-26-2008, 06:07 PM	#16
mjais Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 591 Gallery: mjais Stats: 117 lbs (5'5") WOE: Intuitive Eating/Fitness Start Date: Since 2004	What A Difference! Cheri, you look great! Seriously...what a difference. Amazing! Thanks for sharing and updating your weightloss journey with us. And a huge thanks for all that you do to help this site run smoothly. Wishing you all the best for 2009

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12-26-2008, 01:58 AM	#2
hummingbird11 HB = Healthy & Balanced Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texan w/ Hawaiian Soul loving life in Northern California! :) Posts: 7,558 Gallery: hummingbird11 Stats: 175/151.4/145 ~ (5'8") WOE: Moderate Carb (my way!) ~ SEE MY SIGGY >>>>>>>>>>> Start Date: 1/1/08 + 9/1/09 + Every Day!	WOW Cheri! You. Look. Maaaaaahvelous Dahling! KUTGW!

12-26-2008, 03:12 AM	#3
Bobby Its Not A Problem! :) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 2,629 Blog Entries: 4 Gallery: Bobby Stats: Too big for my britches... WOE: Atkins Start Date: Restart June 10th	Looking good girl!!

12-26-2008, 04:59 AM	#4
JuliaL Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 17,999 Gallery: JuliaL Stats: 190/143/140 16/6/6, height 5'8", age 49 WOE: Atkins/BFFM Start Date: 4/22/03	Way to go, Cheri! You look fantastic!

12-26-2008, 08:31 AM	#5
somethingblue2u MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,153 Gallery: somethingblue2u Stats: 190/175/150 WOE: Atkins for Life Start Date: 2nd time October 2007	Beautiful! And I love your hair!

12-26-2008, 08:36 AM	#6
sugarless4life Atkins Ambassador Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 12,480 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: sugarless4life Stats: 5'3 / 100 pounds / 53 yo /maintaining for 7 years WOE: Lost it with Atkins / RUNNING to keep it off! Start Date: January 19, 2002 - NEARLY 8 YEARS ON ATKINS	What an incredible difference!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheri, WOW WOW WOW is all I can say ! I loved reading your story and seeing how your HEALTH has improved along with the weight loss. THAT'S WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT! Betty

12-26-2008, 08:43 AM	#7
LoraJR72 Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Great Pumpkin Posts: 11,310 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: LoraJR72 Stats: 5'6" - My Goal is Loose Fitting Size 4's. WOE: More Research Needed at this Time.	Looking fantastic, Cheri!

12-26-2008, 09:10 AM	#8
anniemo MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: brooklyn, ny Posts: 1,363 Gallery: anniemo WOE: whole organic lc	Wow! You look great and thank you for moderating this wonderful site!

12-26-2008, 09:13 AM	#9
Rosetta MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,439 Gallery: Rosetta Stats: 198/152/135 WOE: Atkins For Life Start Date: July, 2002	Cheri, you look amazing! Congrats! What a change for your health and your whole life, it's truly terrific.

12-26-2008, 09:17 AM	#10
Fatbrat Senior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 664 Blog Entries: 10 Gallery: Fatbrat Stats: 213/184/155 WOE: ATKINS!! Start Date: 12/15/2008	You look great! Thanks for the update, it gives us newbies/ renewies hope!

12-26-2008, 01:22 PM	#12
Swifty1014 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,314 Gallery: Swifty1014 WOE: No Sugar Added	Still Lookin Great!

12-26-2008, 01:48 PM	#13
walkingwoman Big Yapper!!!! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: In the sunshine Posts: 9,126 Gallery: walkingwoman Stats: 12/4/loose 4 WOE: IE with occasional WW meetings	Thanks for sharing

12-26-2008, 02:34 PM	#14
Kaimi2008 Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team Posts: 3,650 Gallery: Kaimi2008 Stats: 190/140/135 (At Goal) 5'6" WOE: Weight Watchers Lifetime Member since 1/6/06 Start Date: May 1999	Gulp, on the before picture. You look great!

12-26-2008, 05:36 PM	#15
moreluvr Junior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 6 Gallery: moreluvr WOE: Atkins Start Date: Haven't started yet	My favorite compliment is what I am going to say to you-'You are Gorgeous!' and I love your hair, too!!

12-26-2008, 06:09 PM	#17
FloridaShell Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 5,720 Gallery: FloridaShell Stats: 163/128 sz 4-6/? WOE: My own way of l/cing Start Date: 1/2/08	You look wonderful!!!!

12-26-2008, 06:09 PM	#18
becksterinindy Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: babe land Posts: 7,367 Gallery: becksterinindy WOE: fork or spoon I don't care! Start Date: January 2, 2004	Awesome Cheri ........ KUTGW Thanks for sharing

12-27-2008, 09:23 AM	#19
lisabinil Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: suburbs of Chicago Posts: 10,754 Gallery: lisabinil Stats: 214/194/180 287 in 00 WOE: Lc for optimum health Start Date: SBD 3/5/07,Atkins 4/18/07	Awesome and inspiring!

12-27-2008, 11:46 AM	#20
pennylovesdarren MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,482 Gallery: pennylovesdarren Stats: 258.5/223.5/189 5'10 WOE: Ideal Protein Start Date: 08/08/09	You are very beautiful! Congrats!

12-28-2008, 06:11 PM	#21
skeopple Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Northern Wisconsin Posts: 3,596 Gallery: skeopple Stats: 336/270/159 WOE: Low Carb, forever Start Date: 1/14/08	I want my chin(s) to look like yours does now!!!!! Our befores are very similar. I'm slower than molasses but never quitting this WOE. Good job and Good luck on the rest and maintaining.

12-29-2008, 06:08 AM	#22
jezzie Old Wise One Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Hudson River Valley Posts: 39,754 Blog Entries: 78 Gallery: jezzie Stats: choosing to be scale-free; WOE: YOU:on a Diet - Dr. Oz Start Date: 05/22/07 - lightbulb; started YOU at 209.	Absolutely 'drop dead gorgeous' in both the before and the afters. .

12-29-2008, 09:59 AM	#23
Diana Allergic to Carbs- I break out in Fat! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 37,884 Gallery: Diana Stats: 176.5/138.8/134 (5'3") WOE: The Original Atkins Start Date: 8/11/03 Restart 4/08	Awesome job!!!! You are just GLOWING!

01-01-2009, 02:58 PM	#24
JustDoYou MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: F'Burg, VA (finally content here) Posts: 2,083 Gallery: JustDoYou Stats: 228/223.5206/160ish WOE: IF with VLC Start Date: June 18 2009 prayin' it's the last time	Cheri, All I can say is Wow, I've been on the boards for a long time now and it's amazing seeing you just shrink away. You are absolutely beautiful! KUTGW!!

01-02-2009, 03:19 AM	#25
cheri Administrator Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Illinois Posts: 15,515 Gallery: cheri Stats: Over 140 pounds lost!	Thank you so very much everyone! I will get some updated pictures taken and will add them when I can.. I just had to reformat my computer and need to get my photo programs put back on here. I do look thinner then the pictures I posted so that is bothering me some which will motivate me to put new ones on.. It feels really good to have lost so much.. Yesterday I had a friend that hasn't seen me in a few months run up to me in the store and say I have lost so much weight just in the last couple of months! They repeated it several times during our conversation lol... It sure motivates me to stay on course and not put the weight back on!! Thanks again! cheri

01-02-2009, 09:41 AM	#26
Kiley2801 Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 576 Gallery: Kiley2801 WOE: low to moderate carb Start Date: April 13, 2009	Wow! You look like a completely different person in those 2 pics!! What an amazing transformation--Congratulations!

01-02-2009, 11:53 AM	#27
Doggygirl Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: IL Posts: 618 Gallery: Doggygirl Stats: 204/147 (yeah!)/145-150 size 18/8/10 WOE: Moderate Carbs & Organic /Big Girl Gym Start Date: 5/22/08	You look MAH-Valous DAH-ling!!!! And I too love love love your locks!! DG

01-05-2009, 04:48 AM	#28
Loner Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 4,508 Blog Entries: 2 Gallery: Loner Stats: Chase Utley xoxo	very nice Cheri

01-05-2009, 06:34 AM	#29
Caro lc hottie Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ~eastern NC~ Posts: 18,028 Gallery: Caro Stats: see SIG! lol WOE: im not fat.. i just havent grown into my body yet. Start Date: org. 7-6-03.. start ovr..one more time!	wow!! how incredible!!! you are amazing and i am so proud of you!!!

01-05-2009, 06:41 AM	#30
LLC Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 351 Gallery: LLC Stats: 30 to lose! WOE: Atkins Start Date: 11-17-08	Wow. Wow. Wow, Cheri! You look fab!