Ann's Official Dec 2010 Update PHOTO

Everyone ready for a giggle?  Here (below) is my latest and official update photo.  It will be the last photo of me as a morbidly obese person.  Thank you Anne, for all your help in getting those comparison photos formatted and labeled!

I'm calling this update photo:  WORK IN PROGRESS.

I'm wearing the same shirt as in the Sept 30 update photo, only now it is so baggy, it was difficult to see ME through the fabric.  Therefore, I duct taped the loose fabric on the back (unseen by the camera).  This at least allows my figure to be seen somewhat.  And even then, the fabric is still a bit loose across the stomach area.

The funny part (no, the duct taping wasn't it) ... 

I'm wearing the ORIGINAL black jeans from the July 20, 2010 photo.  And yes, the same jeans were worn in the Sept update photo as well.  What is so funny about that?  Well, now my waist is 9 inches smaller.  It isn't easy holding up pants that are a good 3-4 sizes too big now.  Check it out:

These pants were snug in late July, at 307 lbs.  Hey, I'm still a big gal, but not nearly as big as I was over the July 4th holiday.  This is what making one good choice at a time brought me.  And I am thankful for Allan's challenges, which have taken me (so far) through the dreaded food holidays this fall.  I can already tell something has changed on this third say of "The Spawn" challenge - can't wait to see what the scale reads on Saturday.

In this photo, I can start to see my old figure coming through.  (It is still in there - somewhere!)  I have a VERY long way to go, with two-thirds of my journey still in front of me, but I'll be ending this year in a very different place than where I started it. 

So, I continue to tell myself to keep plugging along.  Those small victories eventually turn into major changes.  Never give up.  And lose the "just one won't hurt me" attitude, where food is concerned.  It is that mentality that brought me to 327 lbs last December.  Shedding that attitude has now brought me to this.  I'm a work in progress, but it is encouraging.  If I can do it, trust me, anyone can. 

Someone asked me what made the difference for me this time.  Picking just one thing?   

It would be this:  I got my mind in the game, seriously in the game, and the results followed. 

I've made my health a priority.  It isn't the only priority, of course, but it is way up there in the priority rankings.  I take inspiration from all those who are succeeding out here in the weight loss blogosphere too, sharing their stories, struggles and victories. 

So, keep those old original weight pants!  You'll get hit with the results of your efforts, by putting those on periodically, like nothing else will. 

Onward and downward - yes, even through the holidays!  We need to live like, and think like, the healthier people we want to become ... we are becoming.