This is me, about three years ago. It's painful now to look at, but it's the true thing:
About three years ago, I really had some serious self talks and began on my journey to lose weight. It's been difficult, and at times seemingly impossible. There have been days I've wanted to scream as loudly as I can, "I QUIT!!!", but with my family's support, I'm still in this.
I'm so close to the finish now I can smell it. I'm the healthiest I've been in a long time. I met my original weight goal, but now I'd like to lose about 20 more lbs.
Here I am this past school year. I've never claimed to be photogenic, but this picture is a heckuva lot better than the first one.
I'll be running in my first half marathon in November and my doctor is astounded at my cardiovascular fitness.
My back, which a neurosurgeon told me needed to be fused, and my knee, which supposedly has no cartilage left in it, hold up fine to the 20 miles I run a week along with the step aerobics, weight training, and other workouts I do.
I believe no one is beyond redemption. I had completely given up hope that I could ever be back to a normal weight and live a healthy life, but with a little determination and God's help, it's happening.
Yep, three years can make a world of difference or no difference at all. It just depends on what you choose to do with it.
Wow! What a story, Shelly! I just stumbled onto your blog and was blown away! Last week I started working out and am determined to stick with it. Your story is such an inspiration to me. I am fighting a bad family history, "curse" as I call it ... diabetes and heart problems. My aunt (age 68) and my brother died last week. My brother was 57. We are not sure but they may have died the same day! I had already signed up at a fitness center, my husband and I are working out daily. I am already feeling much better physcially and mentally. After reading your story, I am reminded I am not alone.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of May, my husband and I moved to East Tennessee, my home town area. We lived in Plano, TX, for about seven and a half years. We were very involved in our Plano church and will be visiting new churches soon.
Keep up the good work, Shelly! I will read more of your blog later. Thank You!
♥ Cindy
Wow Shelly, that first picture really took me by surprise since I never knew you had lost so much. I applaude your success and drive that accomplished so much in only 3 years. You are a role model for so many women that need your kind of inspiration.
ReplyDeleteCindy: I am so very sorry for your losses. But using things like those tragedies to drive us to be better is a wonderful way to honor them. One of my main catalysts was my younger sister. She LIVED fitness. Exercised constantly. Watched every bite. Came through cancer with flying colors. Then, possibly due to the cancer treatment, had a massive heart attack and almost died. She's on the heart transplant list now. I sat in my morbidly obese body and knew I could do better.
ReplyDeleteI appalud you for getting started! The first step, to me, was the hardest. It gets a little better and a little better as you build routines. You can do this, and having your hubby doing it with you makes it so much better. My church also has a women's fitness program now that I've kind of helped develop, and I love going to that workout class. Maybe the church you find will have something like that. Way to go, Cindy!!!
Odie: As always, thank you for your very kind words. You are such a supportive person!
Wow. You look amazing. And I can only imagine that you feel great and must be so proud of yourself. Your last line about how three years can make a big difference or no difference at all is spot on.
ReplyDeleteYou are an absolute inspiration. A walking, running, smiling miracle. You are proof that anything in this life is possible. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteMissed Periods: Thank you. You're right- and I don't have the adjectives necessary to convey just how wonderful I feel. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
ReplyDeleteCrystal: Thanks. I am now a big believer in that. Nothing is beyond us if we put our whole hearts in it. It's ballooned my horizons.
Wonderful work, Shelly. You look so lovely! I'm determined to work harder at losing weight myself. You are a help to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Belle. You can do it- I know you can.
ReplyDeleteWoW WoW Wow , you are AmaZiNg!!!
ReplyDeleteI have 40 kg to lose and it seems so hard. I have to work damn harder ...Half marathon? I have to push myslef to walk 2km and I haven't been for weeks....sigh...
IWASNTBLOGGEDYESTERDAY: It is daunting at first, but I would break it down into 10 lb. segments, which made it much easier, mentally, to handle. You can do it- don't give up!
ReplyDeleteWow, what an amazing and inspiring story. I love the title you chose for this post. I'm enjoying checking out your blog today! I am currently pregnant, but when I'm not, I've accumulated about 10-15 lbs extra per child---5 kiddos so far, that's about 60 lbs I need to lose (after this baby of course) I know the struggles, I know how it feels to not feel like it's you under that weight and I know how it must feel now, looking on the outside how you feel inside!!
ReplyDeleteJust also must add that I really think you are a beautiful woman, even 3 years ago, I can see the beauty and love in your face.
Jamie Jo: Your words really touched me. Thank you so much. Congrats on your pregnancy! Children are truly a blessing. That post preggo weight is not always easy to take off, but it is possible. I'm so glad I found that out. Even if we have given up, it's not too late.
ReplyDeleteThanks Shelly, I'll try that,much less daunting!
ReplyDeleteShelly...what an inspiring story. I am so amazed. I will share your testimony with others.
ReplyDeleteCarol: Thank you. Truly, nothing is impossible with the Lord. If it can happen with me, it can happen with anyone.
ReplyDeleteI believe I came across your blog at just the right time, and as you can see by the comments on this post everyone wants to be a success at weight loss, it is possibly one of our hardest trials. To see someone succeed the way you have is hope for us all. Thank you for sharing this, hiding our light under a bushel is not helpful at all!
ReplyDeleteI would love to know more how you kept going, we all know how to lose weight, eat less, move more....but how do you keep it in the front of your mind? So that when those decisions to eat correctly are made before we see the cake, or the bread or a million other things.
thank you for sharing,
your new best friend,
Donna
http://www.bleachervision.blogspot.com
WOW, you have done such a wonderful job. I don't know where you got the motivation, but it is inspiring. I am a new follower from Best Posts of the Week. I'm glad that we connected this way. Hugs & Blessings
ReplyDeleteLC: Thank you so much for your kind words. It hasn't been easy at all, but it's been worth it. I am headed over to your blog!
ReplyDeleteHow inspiring you are! I'm so proud of you and I hope that last, pesky 20 lbs comes off quickly!
ReplyDeletebettyl: Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love both versions of you because you're one of the kindest, most inspiring people I know.
ReplyDeleteJenny: You are so very kind- thank you! You are the one who inspires me. I'm thankful you are my friend!
ReplyDeleteShelly
ReplyDeleteGod bless you for sharing your story. As someone who was slim all my life until my mid-forties, I can only imagine what determination and discipline it took to achieve your current weight goal, as I have struggled just to take off the unwanted twenty-plus pounds I put on.
Congratulations! You are an inspiration to us all. ...Marsha
Marsha: Thank you! I've been greatly blessed.
ReplyDeleteWAY TO GO SHELLY - what an inspiration. sandie
ReplyDeleteSandie: Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteI forwarded this awesome post to a beautiful friend who recently mentioned her doc says she needs knee surgery. (You should really update us all, girl! This is too good to be nearly two years old already... So encouraging!) I am soooo proud of you! To God be all the glory!
ReplyDeleteI linked to this post on my recent "Winning at Losing" post on Kelley Highway.
Hugs and happy week,
Kelley~
Kelley: Thank you! It is a completely different life, and one I never imagined I could have about 5 years ago. Every day, I am so thankful for my fitness and the change in my life.
DeleteThat was quite a transformation! Your family and friends must have been so happy for you as they saw you changing day by day. (I'll bet there were a few jealous ones out there, too, but I hope they ended up supporting you.)
ReplyDeleteThis post was on my list to read and I thought about it when I read your post today about the "pretty black haired friend."
Half marathon! Now THAT, I'm jealous of! :)
Anita: Thank you! I appreciate you taking the time to come back and read this. I've had great support all through this. I've learned our bodies are capable of so much more than what we think!
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