Thursday, May 14, 2009

My Dietversary and Blogiversary!

It's one year later and I'm thin! Haha, not really. I still have quite a bit left to lose. But I have come a long way from May 14, 2008! This truly has been a wild ride - one that I had no idea would take me so many different directions. When I reread my beginning posts, I see how focused I was on just getting some weight off. Whatever it took - hence the (mostly) liquid diet. Exercise was not a factor. Seriously, I was so big, I couldn't imagine doing much of anything physical. Amazing how things have changed! I eat healthy foods and I exercise regularly - and yet sometimes I still look in the mirror and wonder "who is this person and what have you done with the old Shelley?"

I remember my first weigh-in, the day I made the commitment to this diet. I was shocked to realize that even if I lost 100 pounds, I would still be overweight. That just about killed my motivation right there - I mean, come on! Nobody can lose over 100 pounds! And then I went home and googled "weight-loss blogs" and found Lynn and Jennette and Lori - who had all lost over 100 pounds and lived to tell the tale. You ladies gave me hope and that was enough for me to keep going.

As the months went by, I found more and more weight-loss and fitness blogs. I cannot say enough good things about the support that I've received from the blogging community...on my low days you encouraged me, and when I had victories you were there to share them with me. Being able to read what other dieters were struggling through and having success with has helped me so much. Mostly, I know that I'm not alone in this journey. And I thank you all for being there.

They say the proof is in the pudding pictures, so here goes:
Top left: The Beginning - one year ago; Top right: Thirty pounds lost;
Bottom left: Fifty pounds lost; Bottom right: Eighty pounds lost.

May 2008 - May 2009



*Special thanks to my youngest kid for creating the "momtage" and side-by-side photos.

33 comments:

  1. Congratulations! You've done amazing work in a year.

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  2. Wow, Shelley - what a beautiful transformation. You need to add your name to that list of inspiring wl bloggers! Congratulations on all that you have accomplished - I can't wait to see what year two has in store.

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  3. Look at you!! Lady Fabulous! Congratulations on your accomplishments. You are truly an inspiration.

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  4. You look great Shelley!! Congrats on your huge accomplishment! Not only do you look so much thinner, you look younger! Thanks for being an inspiration!

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  5. Happy anniversary to your weight loss journey and blogging!!

    Thanks so much for posting pics. I love to see the differences we make in our lives. You are doing a wonderful job!!

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  6. OMG, those pictures! What a transformation. You look beaitful, radiant and healthy. Thanks for posting those. I love visuals. Seeing others' successes gives me so much hope.
    You've come a long way in one year!

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  7. Tell Max he/she?? did an awesome job :)
    And what a difference!! You look amazing.

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  8. WOW!!!!!!!! You look AMAZING!! Congratulations on continuing to make progress and living the healthy life. And thanks for sharing your journey with us stalkers!

    Did you get the Holey Donuts yet? I can't wait for you to try them!

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  9. You are radiant! I cannot believe how much younger you look. It almost looks like mother/daughter pictures!!

    Congratulations Shelley, and Happy Dietversary and Blogiversary!!!!

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  10. Congrats on your success this past year! I think you look pretty at every weight. :)

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  11. Congratulations, it is great to see how lovely you look - big changes can be made in just one year (and look how quickly they go?).

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  12. Happy anniversaries!

    This actually made me tear up. Just look at you! WOW. I am so proud of you, you look terrific!

    You are now an inspiration to those of us just starting out on the journey--did you know that?

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  13. You look amazing! Great Job! Just found your blog and can't wait to follow....
    Amy Jo
    Henderson, TX

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  14. Happy Anniversary! You're just gorgeous (both before AND after) - all that hard work is really paying off for you. Way to go!

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  15. Oh wow! You have been doing this for a year already? I am so proud of you! I love those pictures too! What an inspiration you are! I am so proud of u!
    Cindie

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  16. Your face really does show the changes--lovely. You are an inspiration.

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  17. Fabulous!! Wow. Look at you! Congrats on your one year blogging. The pictures are such a great way to show how far you've come.

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  18. I found your post very inspirational and in only one year! And you do not look old enought to have boys in college, you look great!

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  19. As Joe said, you are now an inspiration to us beginners.
    The pictures are amazing, you look wonderful, and I know you feel so much better too. Happy Anniversary!! :)

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  20. {{shelley}}} Happy anniversaries! I'm so glad you caught that weight-loss fever because your enthusiasm builds with every post. I can "hear" it in your words. You look fab, darlin, although you were very pretty last year, too. Just so you know :)

    Thanks for letting me be a little part of your journey. It means the world to me.

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  21. I'm so proud!! You've done so much- keep up the great work!

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  22. Wow, we are *almost* anniversary twins. I started my new healthy life style in May of 2008 too. I had a similar start where it was all about being skinnier and now has moved into being more about being healthy (although I still want to be skinny!). I started out just doing Weight Watchers and now I'm jogging too.

    Congratulations! You should treat yourself this month (I did!).

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  23. Shelley - you look amazing and are such an inspiration!

    Keep up the great work - can't wait to see where you'll be next year at this time! :D

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  24. You are looking great! What a difference a year makes.

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  25. I was supposed to start with my sister last May, but I wasn't "ready" until January. I wish this was my anniversary too.

    You have done awesome, and I keep telling myself, it can be done even after 35!!!

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  26. WOW you should be very proud of yourself...you have achieved so much and I am inspired. I know I dont have that 100lbs to lose like you did in the beginning, but saying that doesnt mean trying to lose 50lbs is any easier. Its damn hard and blogland really has helped me to stay on track without sliding toooooo far...thank you for your terrific blog..hugs Khris

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  27. FANTASTIC!!!!!!

    Shelley, you don't know me, but I love your blog and have gone back and read every single post from day one. I love it, and your sense of humor.

    I was tagged and have to pass it on to my favorite bloggers- all you have to do is list six things that make you happy, and send the tag on to six others.

    Thanks for being such an inspiration to me!

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  28. Congrats on your anniversary! You look awesome!!

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  29. You look amazing! Congratulations! :)

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  30. Congratulations! What an admirable achievement!

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  31. Wow Shelley, I just found your blog and I hope that I will have a similar success. Your transformation has been amazing! I just started my own blog and am finding this whole blog thing a great way to keep myself in check. Thanks for sharing your stories.

    Kelly

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  32. I have just stumbled across your blog, excellant work well done, keep it up.x

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