Monday, October 1, 2012

before and after

this is a big week for me.

i reached my goal of losing seventy pounds before the end of this year. i had dreams about it for about a week before the scale actually tipped, and i kept imagining my facebook status that i would write when i reached that magical number.

secondly, i finished P90X today. for those of you who are unfamiliar with what that means, P90X is a heavy duty video workout program that includes 12 different workout routines. you rotate them in a particular order for 13 weeks and hopefully you'll be in the best shape of your life when you finish.

you're encouraged to take BEFORE pictures when you first start P90X, which i did. then you can take AFTER pics to help you really see how far you've come. i wish i'd taken some before pics of me when i first started dieting, like they do on "the biggest loser" show, but i never would have wanted to be seen in a sports bra at the size i was.

i've arranged some before and after pics to show my progress.

2003

april 2011 - weight 205



september 2011

april 2012 after losing about 35 lbs

july 2012
i've been doing some leg workouts and i think it's starting to show.

my winter coat isn't going to work if it's big enough for brooke and i to wear together.

might be time for some new pants.

september 2012. current weight 131.


sept 2012


before - june 2012 before starting P90X
after - september 30, 2012 completed P90X
i had already lost 50 lbs in the before picture. i lost 20 more during the 13 weeks of  doing P90X.
june 2012/sept 2012



this one might be my favorite because until yesterday, i never knew my back and shoulders looked like that. i've never been muscley, so this is pretty exciting for me.

people keep asking me "what's next?" now that i've reached my goals. i guess the answer is that i keep on going. i don't want to be big again and i don't want to be unhealthy again. so i'll keep on eating right and making enough healthy choices to keep my weight under control. i'll keep on working out because, dang it's nice to fit into little clothes and be able to do things i'd had to stop doing for the ten years i was fat. maybe i'll do another round of P90X or maybe i'll switch it up and do lots of different styles of workouts. i know i love yoga and weight training now, so there are possibilities for more of that. maybe one of these days i'll learn how to run for more than 20 feet without being chased by anything scary. 

i don't know. i just know that i'm feeling pretty good about things as they are right now and i want the good to keep going.

64 comments:

  1. Wow, go you! I'm envious of your flat stomach.

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    1. flat stomach?! that made me laugh out loud. i've been doing ab workouts about 4 days a week for 3 months now, so i guess it must be working.

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  2. Congratulations on reaching your goal, Sherilin.

    But don't lose any more weight - we men like ladies with some flesh on them!

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    1. i'm glad the mens like the curvy ladies, but who said anything about losing weight to please men? ;)

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  3. Your arms and legs are phenomenal! As is everything else. Way to go.

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    1. thanks. i love the weight training, so pumping iron has really made my arms less saggy and blobby.

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  4. I think that you've always been beautiful Sherry but you look especially great now, I'm so glad to hear that this has all worked out so great, well done on all of the weight loss and hopefully Brooke has a great week away!

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    1. you are so sweet, i just want to squeeze you.

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  5. You look awesome!!! I am really jealous. I lost 8 pounds with my couch to 5K program, and I have been stuck at that for two months.

    I'm back to limiting my carbohydrates (my hands are going numb in the night... a sure sign for me that I'm taking in too much sugar) and I'm trying to do the elliptical every day.

    I have another 5K at the end of the month, I'm hoping to shave 2 minutes off my time. :) As for your hopeful goal of running without being being chased, the American Red cross sponsors a race (5K) that gives all the runners a 2 minute head start before letting the Zombies out after them (actual costumed volunteers) How awesome is that? I have not done it though for fear I'd be eaten. :)

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    1. that's hysterical about the zombie race! that might actually get me moving!
      kudos to you for doing some races! keep plugging away and shave off those minutes! does carb cutting make your hands feel better?
      i've always said that my boobs were too big for me to run, but they're shrinking, so eventually i won't be able to use that excuse anymore.

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    2. Yes. I am insulin resistant and have the onset of type 2 diabetes. So when my sugars are off, the circulation in my hands gets really bad. I wake up with agonizing pain in my hands throughout the night. It's my "wake up call" to get things back in check. :)

      And the boob thing... honey that doesn't fly with me... I've been at least a D cup since 13, currently an F cup... I did pay a small fortune for a specialized sports bra with extra support... worth every penny. In the words of Nike... Just Do IT! (even if you suck) :)

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    3. my problem has always been lack of a sports bra that could really do the job. i've never had the money to buy a really good one, so i get the cheapies from walmart and then i have to layer several at a time to hold the girls down.

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    4. GOD no. I used to do that as well, it really messes your lower back up. Try Cacique (they are the Layne Bryant store) as they have sales often. I got my sports bra from the running store. It ran about $50 but was worth every penny. I also love that it is lined so you don't, um, say HELLO!!! to everyone while you are running.

      Buy it in a cup size down from what you are in and you'll see a huge difference.

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  6. You have much to be proud of. That couldn't have been easy. You must feel better pysically too. Good for you!

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    1. thanks. i definitely feel better physically and mentally.

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  7. WOW - very inspirational! There is nothing better than setting a goal and achieving it. Looks like this one took discipline, blood, sweat, and just guessing but tears as well. Very happy for you.

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    1. thankfully, no blood, but gallons of sweat and discipline. so far no crying except the tears of joy when somehow God lined things up for my needs to be met along the way, like when i needed clothes and suddenly, mysteriously, a check showed up in my mailbox.

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  8. I think you looked great before, but you certainly look healthier and happier now. Congratulations. What a triumph of willpower.

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    1. you're always so nice. and it's good to know that some men like their ladies rounder.

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  9. The smile says it all. Congratulations and best wishes for the future.

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    1. thanks. now to hang on to my motivation and keep going.

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  10. I am so proud of you, you have come a long way and I know it was with hard work. I will have to let you be my inspiration. I am not too sure about the P90X workout, but I do have a treadmill and bike in the basement that would help. You look great for sure.

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    1. i'm happy to be able to be inspiring to you. whatever exercise you find that work for you, it's going to be a good thing. =)

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  11. You look awesome, esPECIALLY your back, arms, and waist.

    Dang.

    What's next?! Swim the English Channel? Run for President? I think you can now do anything!!

    Pearl

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    1. president? no way, too much pressure. plus, don't you have to be competitive? i lack that gene.

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  12. Wow! That is awesome! You worked really hard and it shows. You have every reason to be proud. Congratulations.

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  13. Yay! So exciting! So wonderful to feel healthy, and good and not tired and ashamed all the time. Well, for me anyhow, and I guess you probably feel the same. And kick-ass arms ROCK. Also, don't you LURV your hair now???

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    1. tired and ashamed sums it up perfectly. no more of that.
      and yes, i DO love my hair! it's so much better than the old way.

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  14. Over the past couple of years, I've lost 30 pounds (I basically stopped eating crap on Halloween, 2010. Yeah, how 'bout that timing?). Now that I've arrived where I'd like to be, the question is what now? I want to stay healthy and I for sure don't want to have tight clothes again. Addiction to food isn't like smoking. I mean, you HAVE to keep eating. Just that...maybe I DON'T need that extra slice of pizza and maybe going to the gym (until I die) IS a good idea. But, when I go camping this weekend, I will have beer (more than likely too many). So, I KNOW what you're feeling.
    That said, CONGRATULATIONS!
    Now THAT said, you were beautiful before, too.

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    1. good for you on the 30 lbs, Al! you should go to the gym and eat well most of the time so that you can drink all that beer at the campground. try not to burn anything up this time.

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    2. We've given each other strict orders to leave the bug candles at home.

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  15. You look so happy and healthy! I have never been good at exercising.

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    1. i've never been good at it either. that's what makes this so surprising and fun! stubbornness pays off and gives good results sometimes.

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  16. wow, wow, WOW...you look great, great, GREAT !!!!

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  17. Sherilyn- CONGRATULATIONS!! You look fantastic and seem really happy, and this is a HUGE accomplishment!
    Though I've been working out steadily for 16 years, and running for the last 18 mths., my weight is too high. I know why- eating on the run lately, getting too hungry and making poor choices. I did start mixing weigt training baack ina fe weeks ago, backed off on running just a bit. I don't want to run so much if it's not going to do any good. I know that I look better when I'm lifting, and boy do your pictures inspire me!

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    1. i love the weight training. i've discovered that feeling strong is even better than being skinny, so that's my new thing.
      kudos to you for the running! i think i lack stamina for that.

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  18. That is SO awesome. You look awesome! And I think you might win an arm wrastlin' match with my hubs, who also does P90X---lookit those guns! So proud of you!

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    1. teehee! i should challenge someone to an arm wrestling match. i haven't done that since i was a kid and my brother always used to beat me.

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  19. Sheriin! Your hard work sure paid off! And it sounds like you feel great too! What an awesome accomplishment - you really should be so proud of yourself. I know it's really hard as a mom and a wife to make a little bit of time for yourself a priority. You look super healthy and happy - very inspiring. I need to get back to my weight loss efforts, which unfortunately have stalled. Lame, no good excuse. Seeing your awesome results make me really want to get back into it. Thanks for sharing your pics. :)

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    1. i do feel a million times better than i did before. it's great to see pictures and really be able to notice a change in how i look to go along with how much better i feel.

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  20. Congrats - you look amazing - look at your ARMS!!! Good for you. You're a rockstar! Sarah xxx

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    1. my arms have always been so chubby and sad. now i want to flex all the time!

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  21. Wowee wow wow! Congratulations to you! Lookin' great!

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  22. YOU ARE SO AWESOME! You look amazing, and more importantly you seem really proud and happy - which you should be! Congratulations.

    PS I love free time for naps.

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    1. i only got one nap, but it was a good one.
      thanks. i hope i don't look all proud and cocky, cuz that's not my plan at all. it's kind of weird because when you work really hard on something, you want to show it off to people. but when it's your body, it's kind of weird and arrogant to show it off & that's not what i'm trying to do at all. awkward.

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    2. No! Not awkward, nor cocky! You just seem happy. You earned it and you've done an amazing job and you SHOULD be proud!

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  23. Congrats! You look strong and amazing, I mean look at those LEGS! Damn girl, you should ban pants and go everywhere in skirts, dresses and shorts.

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    1. strong is the new skinny. or at least that's what i'm telling myself these days.

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  24. that's a great progress, my dear. I've lost 70 pounds once myself. The only problem is that such a huge weight loss leaves you with excess skin on the belly. Most of us will have to have tummy tucking for that reason :( and it is one of the more expensive surgeries.

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    1. i do have a lot of excess belly skin. thank goodness my belly is always covered in public and my family loves me in spite of my wrinkled belly.

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  25. Holy crap, lady! You look phenomenal! Look at those guns! Too bad cold weather is coming because you should totally show off those arms every day. Color me impressed and inspired. Big congrats to you!

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    1. thanks, melissa! it is a little sad to cover up what i've worked so hard on these past several months. i'll compensate by making my family feel my muscles often to help me maintain my positive body image.

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  26. Replies
    1. i have my conceal and carry permit. it's called my birth certificate.

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  27. you look fab!!!! call them..you could be on the next video!

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    1. ha! i have no idea how to get in touch with them, but maybe they'll stumble across this blog post and ask me to be part of their success story family.

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  28. Holy Bologna- you look INCREDIBLE, lady! I am so happy for you!

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don't let me be the only one doing the talking around here. spill your guts!