reached my goal.......01/12/06

[specialhat]

Fantastic photos. What an inspiration. I can really relate to you as I think I have a similar amount to lose. You have inspired me so much I just went and took my own "before" pics, in jeans and a top that are too small for me. I just wish I'd taken them when I was at my very biggest (21lbs more than I am now) as I couldn't even pull the jeans up! But I have another 21lbs or more to go so it will be fun tracking it with pics.

How often did you take the pics?

[angela123]

Wow, GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the pictures you have that show the whole process. Save that first picture for motivation if you ever think of slipping off the diet, lol!!!! Congratulations!!

[sunnyclaus]

That was awsome...thanks for the motivation!!

[<3.Nikki.<3]

You have no idea how much inspiration and motivation this gives me, I could not thank you more.

Your body type is very similar to mine.. your beginning photos look almost exactly as I look now and seeing how healthy and slender you got at your final goal has really made me feel like for once in my life this is really achievable.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

AND of course, a HUGE congratulations! Enjoy your bikini and naked garden romp, hehe!

[turning30]

Hi Lisa,

Your pictures are a GREAT example of what can be accomplished. Your success made me take pictures of myself.

Congratulations.....

[PixiesMom]

Lisa your pix are awesome! I'm just starting in p1 - your photos are a great inspiration!

[lisa30]

I am so glad i took the photos...i did it more for me as a source of motivation.

However i am so happy that my doing so has helped inspire others!

I never thought i could do it....starting is the hard part, then it gets easier...

HOWEVER.......BEWARE!!!!!!

Reaching goal weight and staying there has always been a battle for me, and yes i have done it again, i have put some weight back on.

I adopted the same mentally that i always do when i reach goal!!!

I start thinking that i can afford to eat some junk and get away with it, but the problem is when you start doing that, it becomes more and more and the old habits come back again.

I got the taste for cakes and sweets etc and i am suffering now!!!

I felt i should admit this.....i feel like a fraud when you guys say wow well done etc

I am back on track now and realise this healthy eating is a way of life which i do truely enjoy....i just wish i didn't like being lazy and eating sweets as much as i do

Good luck to all you guys and gals!!!

Losing is easy...maintenance is where the work starts (maybe it is just a mental block with me?)

[shan_candoit]

I have trouble in my belly area and goodness, YOU ARE TOTAL INSPIRATION. Thanks for posting these.

[pixydust8605]

wow, your pictures area huge confirmation of my decision to start SBD. Thanks for braving the camera to record your progress!!!

[$1MORETIME]

Lisa,
Those pics are great and so inspirational..I thought you looked great at a 31 pound lose. You almost look too thin in the last pic...probably due to the fact that your pants are hanging off...time to go shopping...yah! If you dont mind me asking how tall are you and what was your start weight? I too, am a binge/compulsive eater....I eat well all week, and binge on the weekend....I have tried south beach before and did well, but didnt stay on it long enough for significant weight loss...I have been planning to go back on it...and your pics definately inspire me to do so..I am 5'7 and weight close to 160...I want to lose 20 pounds...I work out regulary and am very dedicated to it..however, the weekends set me back..it seems like we have or had the same body type..when I gain, it seems to go straight to the stomach...and from what I can recall, this area goes first on this lifestyle. if you have any tips or advise...please help! Again, you look fantastic! Congratualation...!

[lisa30]

Hi i started at about 166 pounds which was too much for me at 5 foot 5 inches. I have a small frame so i didn't carry the weight well, i deffinately looked podgey!

When i reached goal, my hip bones and collar bone were too prominent but thats when my legs start to look good or passable....as they are quite chunky!

All that was left to do was get a fitness routine going but christmas and illness took over and i started eating what i liked....oops!!!

I had been so in control and could never imagine bingeing again to the point of being so full i would feel ill and scared to move.

The way to get in control is to stop eating junk and the cravings stop over time! However as soon as you start eating them again, you are in trouble and stuck in a vicious circle.

Never say you cannot have something or that you are not allowed...this makes you think about it more and want it more. Instead say you can have it, but why would you want it when it makes you feel bad mentally and physically....and besides these so called nice foods dont even taste as good as we thought they would but we eat them till we are full to bursting...well i did!

It is important to make a decision and stick with it, don't start doubting yourself, because when doubt sets in so do the negative thoughts and the little voice saying just one wouldn't hurt.

I found that after eating healthy and thus feeling great!!!! i could get away with an off day! An off day would be a friends birthday so cake and coffee, or an evening at the cinema hence a few sweets or chocs. This would happen once a month and each time i would be right back on track the next day. The cravings come back with very quickly if you do this too often,,,i learned what i could get away with!

These so called off days would of course mean extra calories consumed which did not worry me at all, in fact it was a good thing!!! If you eat the same amount of calories each day, your metabolic rate slows down and losing weight becomes more of a struggle and disheartening. When you change your calorie intake every few days it keeps the furnace burning so to speak.

Anyway i have probably waffled on too much, but if it helped then great.

I just need to listen to my own advice and lose these regained pounds

[$1MORETIME]

Lisa,
Thank you so much for taking the time to give me some great advise..I have been out of town...or I would have thanked you sooner...I do agree with you about how easy it is to get off track and stay off track. I have definately learned that from experience...I had tried sb last year, and stuck with it for 3 months straight with very few cheats...but, when xmas hit, I lost it and never got back on track...I only gained 5 pounds back but, I also gained inches...this time I am determined to stay on track and since I am starting earlier..I am hoping I can lose most of it by xmas so I can cheat a bit and not set myself back too far....I may actually post pictures myself this time....Thanks so much.....I appreciate it...

[vanessa1976]

You look wonderful. I love the quote in your siggy too by the way.

[carynmom6]

I can not believe the difference. WOW!! You must be soo pumped. Talk about bikini body. I'll have to pull up your pics everytime I think about quitting. Any secrets to your success??

[cortcase]

Lisa, I saw your post in another thread about buying a new outfit and going to the party. I just wanted to come by and give you some encouragement. I derailed last year for awhile and gained back 12 lbs before I recommitted to SB in Sept. 2006, so I know how it feels to slip and gain. Just know that you CAN do it. You have inspired so many other people here, and now it's time to take a look at those before and after pictures and remember that you did it once; you can do it again. Good luck, you will do great!