I’ve been reluctant to share my progress during this weight loss journey.
Okay, so not really, I mean, if you’ve been following my twitter feed you’ve likely witness diarrhea of the mouth when it comes to talking about working out.
After professing my love for Kristen Chase and Jillian Michaels’ 30-day Shred a year ago, I gave in to my emotional eating habits while I went through returning to work, daycare troubles, a move, bouts of depression, and everyday stresses only to gain an additional 10 pounds.
But even though I’ve shared so many ups and downs on this site, there’s something about sharing my progress in photos. That’s where I wig out. Pictures of progress are an ENTIRELY different issue for me. No matter how great my progress has been, like: I’m down almost 2 pant sizes and 17 pounds in the past 3 months; I can (FINALLY!) run 25 minutes (roughly 4km) without walking; I can swim laps (breast stroke) for an hour; I have more energy than I have in YEARS; I’ve been off antidepressants for almost six months; and I am happier, more positive than I have been in a long time, and I still feel like I could – should – have better results by now.
I’m not on The Biggest Loser, I’m not competing for anything; I’m doing this for me. For a lifestyle change, yet I feel like I should be seeing these drastic results.
Running and swimming – but especially running – have been huge releases for me. My stress levels are down, I’m sleeping better and – wait for it … I am ENJOYING working out. This is such a huge deal for me since the past 10 years I have lived a sedentary lifestyle.
But! - Oh the but! – whenever I look at a progress picture, I see so much work which needs to be done. I hate that I focus on The Bad! and can’t (or don’t) revel in The Good! Mike gets frustrated with me when I point out the fact that my arm fat still dangles like the jowls of a Mastiff. He insists that if I don’t stop focusing on The Bad I will sabotage my progress, which I know is true, but is it possible to ever stop?
I digress.
I look at these images and barely see a difference.
I know I’ve done well. Damn well. Three months ago, I was in a completely different place in my life. I was wallowing in self pity, stressed to the max, bored with my life, and angry at everyone and everything – not to mention 17 pounds heavier.
I keep trying to remind myself I didn’t get this big overnight. It took me 10 years, two pregnancies, bad food choices, no exercise and turning a blind eye to gain the almost 60 pounds I’ve been carrying.
I still have a lot of the same stress factors in my life, but I am managing them better. I now have this release for my frustration and stress.
I have something that is completely about me.
And I have results.
No matter how many times I dissect these photos and point out what work I still have, I know I have made progress; not only physically, but mentally.
{ 81 comments }
OK, first thing, taken at different distance. I absolutely see a HUGE difference. You look fantastic.
Ya. The distance makes a difference, that’s for sure. Next time I’ll take that into account.
And, thank you! xo
Oh, honey.
First off, I’m so, so proud of you for posting this. Secondly, I can see a difference in your stomach, your arms, your face, and your butt – honestly. Your legs, too. If my math is correct, that’s ALL of you.
You’re doing an amazing job. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished. <3
Thanks lady! I know. I am proud, I really, really am. Yet. I tear myself down. I always do – always have.
But I am happy with my results! I just want more! LOL
I SEE A DIFFERENCE! I DO! Your face! Your waist! Your arms!
And can I just say swimming for an hour would kill me dead? You are kicking ASS with working out and I’m so so so proud of you. Think how much healthier you are! The fact that you FEEL a difference is huge. You’re rocking it mama and you’ll be strutting your stuff at BlogHer! WOO!
THANK YOU!
Swimming is hard, but I take it slow and think of anything but swimming – same thing I do with running; don’t think about it, just go. LOL
Sam! You might not see a difference but it’s there. You look fabulous and most importantly you sound like you feel fabulous too. I’m so proud of the hard work you’re doing.
Feeling better has been a HUGE plus for me. Not only am I not so angry all the time, I am no longer medicated – which is not a bad thing – I just hate taking pills all the time.
I’m really proud of you, friend. You have done so well for yourself. You had a goal, and you fought to reach it. You’re my inspiration…I mean it. If it wasn’t for you, I’d likely be in some cold, dark hole feeling sorry for myself. I love you!
Give yourself huge credit for posting these pics. That takes incredible strength and bravery.
And girl, you look great! You are making amazing progress!!
Thanks Jenn! Posting the pictures is harder than all the running. HAHA Now, I just have to find something else to write about so my pictures disappear into the achives.
You’re awesome. And yes, girl, you can see a difference for sure. Your hard work is most definitely paying off!
Thanks Kristen… You have been a huge inspiration to me. Your willpower and dedication are so inspiring! xo
Wow! I see a difference too. You look way different since the last time I saw you!
Be proud of yourself. Be very proud.
HAHAHA, wasn’t I a head on a stick last time?
I see the difference! You look great and you’re feeling good. That’s awesome!
Thanks Lisa! XOXOX
FUCK YEAH SAM.
Yours are always my favourite comments. ROFL
I see the difference! You’ve done a great job! I can totally relate to your struggles and to being too hard on ourselves. I’ve actually joined OA (Overeaters Anonymous) recently to try and deal with the emotional eating. For me, it isn’t just about eating. It’s all of the things you mentioned too.
Good luck to you. You are doing amazingly well! Lighten up on yourself!
Emotional eating is a horrible, nasty trap. I find if I’m tired, angry, hormonal, thirsty or bored, I ALWAYS turn to food. I have no willpower or self-control when it comes to eating food I like. I eat a full BAG of chips, a BAG of popcorn, a HUGE serving of pasta. I just can’t help it. I’ve now begun to make a conscious effort to make small portions and not let myself go back for more, but have veggies or something instead. It’s hard. Damn hard, but it CAN be done!
XOXOX
Believe me, I know how scary it is to take these pics and you DO look great and I definitely see a difference! Keep up the good work and focus on YOU not the shell its in.
After I posted the pictures, I fought the urge to eat a bag of chips.
Good on ya! Keep it up, you look great! Masterpieces aren’t painted in a day!
Hah! Ain’t that right. I know it takes time, but I am so impatient! LOL
Yay for progress! I totally see your hard work paying off! I’ve been following you on twitter and I’m totally inspired by you! I’m only on week 3 of C25k but I’m going to get there too!
YAY! You can do it!!
I was shredding for the first 6 or 7 weeks but when the weather got so nice (and Mike was no longer on nights) I just wanted to get outside and running is so inexpensive!
Oh my goodness I can totally see it in your face and stomach. You are doing fantastic and I can only hope to stick with running C25K when I have to run 25 minutes.
I can totally relate to the stress weight. I eat to relax and um gah! Yeah, you can imagine how well that’s working for me. I tell myself that keeping on an extra 10lbs per child is ok, and maybe it would have been if I had one kid, but I have 3.
Anyway, keep up the hard work. You are worth it.
Sticking with it! The interval training make the 25 minute run seem so much less daunting when you finally get there! You can do it! xo
Well, obviously your list of positives is amazing, and despite what you think the differences in your pictures are totally noticeable (especially the side one!), but I know what you’re talking about when you focus on The Bad. Because, of course, that’s what I tend to see in my pictures too. My flab rolls, big thighs, floppy butt.
Hold on, I’d better tone down all the sexy talk here.
Yeah. So anyway. I find it difficult to focus on The Good, because it’s too much like accepting a compliment, which I can’t do either. LOL But I do try to avoid thinking TOO much about The Bad. I’m not always successful, of course, but I try to think more about the process instead. Focus on my workouts rather than the results. Just make sure I follow my program. Go day by day.
Anyhow, I’ve rambled long enough. You’re doing great…and keep up the hard work!
We have a very similar outlook, Bill. You’ve really been an inspiration to me, so thank you!
I follow you on twitter – and I rarely make comments – anywhere. Hell yeah there’s a difference. I don’t even know you but I can see it. And you KNOW you can feel it. Let yourself be happy with the positives and use those negative feelings as fuel for your fire. Congratulations on your progress!!
Thank you, Sue! I can definitely feel it, and that’s just important as how many pounds I’ve shed, right? xo
Sam!!! You are doing awesome and look so great! I am so proud of you. I keep reading about you, Karen, and Britt and I am so in awe of you all. I want so badly to find the strength and willpower to begin doing what you all gave been doing. But it has been so hard for me to get going. Keep posting it gives me hope that I can do it too.
You know what I found? You can’t force it, you will be ready when you’re ready. If you force yourself into it and make yourself do it, you may keep with it, but you’ll resent it and never love it. When I tipped the scale at 200lbs something clicked and I wanted to run, I wanted to workout.
I hope you find your motivation fo whatever it is you want to do! XO
I see a huge difference!!!! Way to go!
Thank you!!
You know the biggest thing I notice in those pictures…you stand taller now. Yay you, Sam! You look awesome!
Thanks Mel! xo
Whether you know it or not you’ve been an inspiration to me. It’s so great to hear your progress and how you keep on keepin on even though it’s hard. I have been feeling the same way. We’re human. We want instant gratification. We know how hard we’ve been working out and how we’ve changed our eating habits yet we don’t see the immediate results in our bodies, WTF , right !? I keep telling myself that it takes time and remind myself of the immediate health benefits! I’m healthier and will be around for my children because I’m taking pride in me. That’s cause for celebration in and of itself.
You go!
I love you. Thank you!!
I just keep telling myself I didn’t wake up fat. It took time, and it’s going to take time to come off! xo
Congratulations! You are doing fantastically! I see a wonderful change in you, I know it’s hard to see it for yourself, though, because I’m there, too. I can totally relate to your feelings, because every time I look in the mirror, I see the “old me” still. Laying on the couch I look down and I see my old belly, my old body. It’s only actually IN pictures where I begin to see the difference, almost as if my eyes are broken, like they cannot see me for who I am now, only back then. I think it’s what a lot of folks like us go through. But honey, I definitely see a difference – you have those Jillian Michael’s shoulders now, flatter stomach, raised butt – you’re a rock star!
My suggestion to help you if you’re wanting to see better, faster results without hurting yourself (and this is what I had to do to see a change when I couldn’t find one, either) is to switch up your workouts. Your body is getting used to what you’re doing, so change it up constantly. I believe what’s-his-nuts from P90X calls it “Body Confusion” – I found that when my body got used the same workout everyday, or same couple of ‘em every day, I was at a standstill with change; I was still fit and in shape but the loss and changes stopped happening. Also, have you ever thought of doing a body cleanse? It could do you some good good to get rid of the old toxins you’ve accumulated over time. And maybe getting a heart rate monitor/calorie counter to see if what you’re in-taking and what you’re burning is on track? I did that with my last plateau. Oh, an lastly – are you measuring yourself for change with a measuring tape? Neck, biceps, lower arms, wrists, busts (bra line), waist, hips, thighs, calves, ankles. Measuring was HUGE for me, because I may not see a change in the mirror or on the scale, but sure enough (especially with the Shred) there’d be a nice difference with the tape measure, which made no loss on the scale still awesome.
Keep up the amazing work honey. You’re totally doing it, and rocking at it!
Thank you Lisa!!
I thought about a cleanse, but I don’t know where to start and right now isn’t all that great for me since my money tree is pretty bare. LOL
The one thing that I regret, is not measuring when I started. My thought was that I wasn’t going to obsess with any of that and go by how my clothes fit and how I feel. Now I wish I had.
First of all … You look amazing!!! I can see a huge difference. And you’re way braver than me cuz I’d never post pictures.
I totally get where you’re coming from. I always look at the negatives and dissect everything. It’s funny because if you’re anything like me you probably see the worst in yourself but the best in others.
Also, your constant tweeting about running reminds me to suck it up and go out there, and enjoy it!
You’re amazing.
Get back out there! We should have running dates!!
OMG Sam! You look amazing! Whattyamean you don’t see a difference? There’s are incredible differences in your butt, tummy, waist, back, arms and face! Holy shit! You are awesome!
Thanks friend! Means a lot that you’ve been along side me through this too. You’re a huge inspiration to me. XO
You look great! I can absolutely see a difference!! And Mike is right – you have to be able to acknowledge the progress you’ve made if you’re going to be able to keep making progress long-term. But it’s a tricky thing, aint it?
I don’t do well with attention. I love it, but it makes me uncomfortable. HAHAHA
Miss you!
So brave of you to post these pictures – it’s inspiring to hear you talk about the changes you have gone through. I just started Weight Watchers and am down almost 6 lbs, but am struggling with the whole exercising aspect. I should follow your example and get my butt in gear! You look great. I really notice a difference in the before and after.
The last time I lost 20lbs it was with Weight Watchers in 2006, it’s a great program, but not for me. I obsess with counting.
Running, swimming and the 30-day Shred have been great for me. Getting back on track with being active has been a huge milestone, but definitely attainable. Start out little and work your way up!!
OHMYGOD!
You look fantastic Sam! And I totally see a very marked difference.
And you know I am telling you the truth because I don’t blow wind up no one’s skirt.
Congratulations baby. Keep up the good work. Just so you know, you have been quietly inspiring me to get off my ass when ever I see one of your tweets. So keep it up! My ass is still a jiggling. I need all the inspiration I can get.
xo
Thanks Tanis!! But maybe I want you to blow wind up my skit.
Ha!
Now get MOVING!!
I see a HUGE difference in the pics you posted!! Good for you, woman… and YAY!! I’m so glad you feel better… no keep on keeping on! Woot-woot!!
Thanks lady! The feeling better part has been a HUGE deal for me.
You look FANTASTIC! I can absolutely see a change. I’ve been on the same journey for the last 3 months and this is really inspiring. Amazing job!
You can do it, Monica! You can!! It’s been bumpy and hard, but I enjoy it now.
Your progress fantastic – you’ve made a huge difference already, and before long, you’ll have a new photo to line up that’s going to make the photo progression even cooler.
Was just talking to John last night about training myself to focus on positives. I truly believe I can train myself to make that more habitual by doing it consciously as often as I can. Cheesy, but effective.
Keep up what you’re doing – it’s working and you’re doing great!
My step-mom was telling me that our brains don’t process negatives. So if you say, “I don’t want to be fat” your brain processes, “I want to be fat”. I’ve been really trying to change my thought process to: “I am skinny”, “I am doing great”, “I am going to succeed”.
My roommates are going to LOVE me in NYC. LOL
Great job! It’s so easy to pick out the negative for all of us. But making yourself take the pictures and see the change. That’s a definite positive…and it will keep you working at it. Because you’re doing so much for yourself. When you don’t feel like working out or making good food decisions, THIS is the post to come back to. Great job, Sam!
Thanks Angi! It really is worth coming back to, right? Hopefully I don’t need to get that motivation again. I want to be in this for the long haul, but it’s definitely going to be nice to look back and see the progress later on!
First of all, big hugs for all the work you are doing. You may not see it (since you see yourself in the mirror every day) but you are looking great. From this side of the camera I can see a huge difference. I say way to go and you are a huge inspiration to me.
I never really think of myself as an inspiration (more of a twitter annoyance. LOL) so thank you very much for that. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
First, I have to tell you how unbelievably brave I think it was for you to post those photos, because I’m sure I would’ve chickened the hell out.
That said, I can tell a huge difference. You look great. I think it’s hard for us to notice the change in ourselves – we look in the mirror every single day, & the changes are so gradual that they’re hard to notice. But it IS obvious. Ok, sure, you don’t look like Jillian Michaels yet, but STILL. 17 pounds is nothing to sneeze at. I’ve been dieting my ass off and I’ve plateau’ed at 8 pounds lost. So go you, lady. That’s awesome.
I was chickening out. It took me three days to post this. LOL
Also? When I look like Jillian I am going to boot your butt into shape! You’re doing GREAT! Keep going! xo
Kudos to you for writing this post and for posting the pictures.
You have so much to be proud of. You have accomplished so much. And a difference, I can totally see a difference. You look great. Give yourself a huge pat on the back for everything you’ve accomplished.
Thanks Lisa! I just wish I wasn’t so hard on myself. Is there a fix for that? *hugs*
I am SO incredibly inspired by you. Whenever I’m given the go-ahead to start working out again, I’m all up on it.
SO proud of you!
I hate that you’re injured. I know when you can, you’re going to kill it!
I love you!!
Are you kidding? I see a huge difference! Your tummy is smaller, your waist is more defined, even your shoulders are looking great. It’s really easy to focus on our flaws but damn, woman, you should be proud of yourself. You’re doing great and you look wonderful. Sleeping better, no meds AND losing weight? That’s a win.
It’s all win, right? Thanks hun!!
You’re doing amazing. Go you!
Thanks, dude! Can’t wait to see you in a few weeks!! XO
Wow! You look great. I tried the 30 Day Shred and C25K and gave up on both. It is so hard to get moving after years of being sedentary. I’m an emotional eater too, combine that with my love of fancy high calorie drinks and the scale’s been slowly creeping higher and higher. It’s not easy to change, but you’re doing it! Congrats, your progress is inspiring!
Girl, you are kicking some serious ass, and you look great. I understand the feeling, though. I’ve lost 80 pounds, and I look at myself and go… from where? Where was it and where has it disappeared from? Just concentrate on how great you feel, and keep doing what you’re doing. You’ll get there.
I can’t even put into words how much I respect what you’ve been doing (so I’ll do an interpretive dance at BlogHer to show you, instead). Every time I see your #shredheads tweet, I cheer for you, I really do, even if I don’t respond.
I see the difference in those photos, and not just because your hair is dry. I know what’s involved. And I know that you’re firmer and healthier.
Good for you,. Seriously. Cheer for yourself along with me.
Hi. New reader here & I can see a difference in your pictures. Congratulations!! I am also trying to get more healthy and would love to be able to run 25 minutes straight. I’m doing c25K and am getting there.
Sam. All I can say, is that you look BEAUTIFUL! Before AND after. I know you’ve been working your ass off for this, and you’ve done well! Just remember not to be so hard on yourself.
You look HOT and I’d do ya! ;P
Love you, friend!
There is definitely a big difference and i bet you feel better as well.
It’s one day and one step and one choice at a time. Keep it up.
Samantha,
Came here to look around today after hitting “send” and promptly freaking out.
So, first, I agree with some of the other comment, there is a HUGE difference in the before and afters. And, this is just a start….
Have you read “Women, Food and God?” or any of her books? What draws me to her work is that she’s all about finding the love for yourself, being compassionate to yourself in addition to the rest of the world).
Keep up the great work – in all areas.
You have a lot to be proud of, lady. You’re beautiful and you should be very happy with yourself. The weight loss struggle is one I struggle with also, all the time, for years and years. I’m either dieting hard core or eating too much. And it sucks because it can’t be good for me to go up and down like I do.
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