I want to cry

[Amgarrett616]

Like I seriously want to bawl my eyes out.

My friends mom posted pics from her grandaughters birthday party on December 6th (my LC start date) today on facebook. I can not beleive that is me. I just can't beleive it. The crying smiley doesn't even emcompass my feelings right now but what the heck,



I am such a freaking COW. Look at my gut! I had no idea it was this bad. Like NO idea! How did I get this out of control??? I've lost 18.6 since that pic, so it's encouraging but I just didn't know how far I had to go. I'm so sad.

[sillykimmie]

I have never liked pictures of myself. Looking at a picture of me at my highest weight was shocking.
How I didn't "see" the weight I was gaining, I will never know.

But the important thing is you are doing something about it and you have already lost weight!!
You have made the decision that you are worth it, and you are!
Wishing you continued success!

[Amgarrett616]

The part that is killing me is that I had lost so much and I was so skinny! I just can not beleive how big I've gotten. I'm in shock

[missbombshell]

Girl I know how you feel I was down to 121 lbs two years ago UGH!!! This is the last time I will be seeing these numbers on the scale. This is a lifestyle change not a diet for me! Sugar is the devil. Don't look back just look ahead.

[PeppermintFatty]

But just think you have ALREADY lost 18 pounds!!! Thats a amazing start!!!

[Amgarrett616]

bombshell, that's my issue. I had lost over 100 pounds and had a tummy tuck and was doing so good. I knew I was gaining and I even knew what I weighed, but I just didn't SEE myself as that big anymore. That pic is a HUGE slap in the face. I feel like I've been hit by a bus. I feel embarrassed. Like, walking around with your zipper down all day in front of important people and no one told you. I feel like someone should have took me aside and been like "yo, you know your really getting fat"

[Yam-Yam]

Originally Posted by Amgarrett616

Like I seriously want to bawl my eyes out.

I am such a freaking COW. Look at my gut! I had no idea it was this bad. Like NO idea! How did I get this out of control??? I've lost 18.6 since that pic, so it's encouraging but I just didn't know how far I had to go. I'm so sad.

Don't say that about YOU! You are so dang beautiful! Here is what I think. 1. that was not a figure friendly or slimming blouse. The shimmery fabric, color, style (quite poofy) probably makes you look bigger than you are. I can see your hips and legs and they are NOT cow legs!!

Also, recently I saw a photo of me at Christmas time at DD's house. I told her it really made me feel bad because I thought Ii was looking soooo good and fitting into smaller clothes.

She said, MOM you do look good! That picture is weird. It's the angle or something.

So, 2. Camera angles can do a lot to make any one of us look bigger than we are and out of proportion, too!

That's one reason I took a picture of myself in the mirror at my gym and put it up as my avatar. That's how I see myself, pretty much anyway, right now. DD is right. I've seen pictures where some of the thinner people in my family were standing at certain angles and it made them look like they ballooned up when in reality, they are small.

Get rid of that blouse IMHO. Hope you are not mad at me now! Read some articles in women's magazines or on the web about dressing to look 10 pounds thinner. Get someone to take a better photo of you!

And, no, it would not have been a good idea for someone to take you aside. A few years ago I lost 17 pounds and was very proud of myself. A self-righteous lady stopped me after church on a Sunday morning. She said "Don't take this the wrong way" (which is NOT the phrase I like to hear when someone wants to talk to me). She told me she was praying for me because I had so obviously gained a lot of weight and besides not being healthy, I just did not look good and something about how could I stand being this fat???

I got home from church and cried and cried. then I ate about 3 grilled cheese sandwiches and some macaroni and cheese. Constructive criticism is seldom constructive or helpful!!!

Big and kudos for your 18 pound loss! We are doing this and will get it done, Sista!!

[Amgarrett616]

YOu know what Yam yam, that "blouse" was actually a freaking HOT dress until my butt got SO huge that it didn't go over it and so I wore it as a shirt and the sad thing is, that every time I wear it, I get compliments on how cute it is! They are probably saying "oh that shirt is so cute" in order to cover up the stares at my fat rolls (that i somehow blocked out).

Anyways, your words are encouraging and I just keep looking at this pic

and saying to myself that it was less than a year ago and I can be that way again.

Onward I guess.

[Mim]

I keep looking at your picture and trying to see what you see. What I saw immediately is your beautiful, happy self! I had to look to see the parts you are talking about and I just can't see it. You look happy and beautiful. I know something about about weight gain and self loathing. It is no place to stay! And I'm with Yam - ditch the blouse/dress. : )

[Ratty29]

Amg, you have a big smile and a big personality but not a big ass

I'll look out some of my gut pictures to cheer you up, its big and rivals santas

Think of the 18 lbs you have lost, its soo much, go and find something that weighs 18 lbs and see how heavy and big it is. Go to the supermarket and fill your basket with 18 bricks of lard/butter. its lots and you have so much to be proud of. God knows if I had only kept of what I had lost but hey, if I had I wouldn't have found this site and all the lovely people from across the ocean with all their support and fab info who when |I lose it this time (for about the 4th time) will help me keep it off

Now eat and meat, feel prod and get down the gym tomorrow, January is our month and 2012 is your skinny forever year

[Amgarrett616]

okay okay girls, your sweet, I aint buyin it, but your sweet anyways hehehe..

I'm feeling better and looking forward to onderland. It's so close!!

[Beezer Louisiana]

Pictures are what did it for me, too.

Before, when I weighed 192 lbs., my mom took a picture of my sister and me and I said, "Oh! That's a terrible picture! I look fat!"

My mom said, "It looks like you." (I don't think she meant any harm, but it stung.)

Hmphf.

Somehow I was blocking it out when I looked in the mirror, sucking it in when I looked in the mirror and then letting it back out when I walked away? IDK. But I wasn't seeing myself as I actually was, until the pictures! Ugh!

Anyway, congratulate yourself on the progress you've made and this healthy new WOE!

[PeppermintFatty]

Pictures can be hard to accept, but a picture is what prompted me to start my weight loss. I saw a pic my sis n law had posted on facebook and I could not BELIEVE how huge I was. All it takes is some time and determination. But you know this, because you did it before and you can MOST CERTAINLY do it again!

[Shannon_]

Two things..you are beautiful and you had a muffin top... you jeans were too tight, but I personally love the shirt. I'm thinking of doing stillmans again..

[Amgarrett616]

Oh geez, I had not looks at this pic n a while. Yick!!!!!

[It'stime]

My gosh, your pretty little or big! You should see my fat photos!

[Lori37]

When you're almost done losing weight you are going to be so grateful for "before" pics. When you put them side by side and really see how far you've come, it's an amazing feeling. It will make you feel proud instead of ashamed.

Focus on how far you've come, not how bad it WAS. Focus on the now and the future.

[Amgarrett616]

Oh I already am really glad I have that horrible picture! 3 months later and I look nothing like that!

[Amgarrett616]

Idk if y'all get over to the lobby but here are my now pics
I wanted to wait till ONEderland, but I couldn't help myself. Photos!

[newsome]

Wow, I was looking for some encouragement and I found it as soon as I saw you!!! Every picture I saw of you is beautiful! Yes, you are smaller now but your other picture is still beautiful! What a beautiful smile!
I used to low carb but I gained back a good bit of weight, I am a small gal 4' 11, 117 pounds so that is too much weight. I want to get in better shape and gain a little muscle. I am 56 but feel as good as I did in my 20's. Want to weigh no more than 100, I have a small frame.
Keep up the good work! You are stunning!!!!

[Amgarrett616]

Originally Posted by newsome

Wow, I was looking for some encouragement and I found it as soon as I saw you!!! Every picture I saw of you is beautiful! Yes, you are smaller now but your other picture is still beautiful! What a beautiful smile!
I used to low carb but I gained back a good bit of weight, I am a small gal 4' 11, 117 pounds so that is too much weight. I want to get in better shape and gain a little muscle. I am 56 but feel as good as I did in my 20's. Want to weigh no more than 100, I have a small frame.
Keep up the good work! You are stunning!!!!

Well paint me flattered! Thank u so very much for such a sweet post!!!! Welcome to LCF!!!

[newsome]

Thanks so much! I am going to start tomorrow. I sort of started today but got to get a lot of junk out of the fridge and add my low carb things. Thanks for inspiring me

[Amgarrett616]

I'm so happy to hear that I actually inspired someone! It's so rewarding. And LC is such an enjoyable diet. I never feel deprived. This place is amazing. Just keep posting and don't be afraid to ask questions or ask for encouragement. These ladies (and gents) have helped me so much