Wednesday, July 1, 2009

A Shocking Picture

Just over a year ago, I became the proud owner of a pink Hawaiian Electra Cruiser bicycle. Longtime readers may remember the pink bicycle saga, chronicled here, here, here and here. Yes, I might have been a bit obsessive over it, what can I say?!?

At the time, I had been on my diet for about five weeks and had lost a decent amount of weight - close to 20 pounds. I remember being so excited when the bike finally came in, and I had my husband take pictures of me standing proudly with my sweet new bike. I uploaded them to the computer, fully intending to post them on my blog. And then I got the shock of my life - I was huge! Still! But how could that be - I had lost nearly 20 pounds! I was wearing new, smaller clothes - a 2X top and size 22 capris - how in the world could I look so ginormous?!?

Let me tell you, it was a tad depressing to see just how big I was and to realize that I had a long, long way to go. But I'm here to tell you, change can happen. It may not be quick, and it may not be easy, but making those lifestyle changes - eating healthy foods in moderate portions and adding exercise to your life - will eventually make a difference. I'm ready to show you the picture from June 2008 now...

And for comparison, here I am just over a year later - still not "there" yet, but a hell of a lot closer! Wearing a size M top and size 12 capris - and feeling pretty good about myself!

To everyone out there, no matter how much you have to lose, how big you are...YOU CAN DO IT!!!

37 comments:

  1. Wow, that is quite a difference. Makes me a little uncomfortable to admit that after losing about 115 lbs, I'm down to your start size. I only hope I'll see a size 12 some day!

    oh,and the pink cruiser? I'm all about that myself!

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  2. Aside from the amazing weight loss, you also look 10-15 years younger.

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  3. Wow! I want to see that change in 1 year. I would love to wear a size 12. I was so happy to go from a 28 to a 22. I can't imagine what a 12 would feel like--its been 15 years!

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  4. Wow--congratulations. It's amazing how losing weight also seems to take off the years. You look great and such an inspiration.

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  5. Love the bike and you look awesome. Congratulations.

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  6. wow.

    both.

    you look fanTIZtastic and I totally and entirely and WHOLLY COVET your bike.

    entirely.

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  7. Wow - what a difference a year makes! Congrats on all your hard work!

    Bathing suit-wise, I've shopped at LandsEnd, goggled Delta Burke stuff which brought me to a site I can't remember (but I don't know if that label makes them as small as size 12!!!!!), LL Bean (very limited underwire if that's what you're looking for), and aerinrose.com......and still no luck. I hope you find something. The trip sounds wonderful!

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  8. You look ah-maz-ing!!!! Seriously. And that bike is totally cute!

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  9. What you have there is a before and after picture that will make people's chins drop. Your journey this past year has paid off - you look so happy, confident & beautiful!!

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  10. Wowie! You look fantastic.

    And the bike is rad.

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  11. You should send a link to this post to the Hawaiian Electra Cruiser bicycle manufacturer. You could be their model and spokesperson. I would be amazed if they didn't want to use you in their ad campaign!

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  12. Thank you for the inspiration! You look fabulous!

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  13. What an amazing accomplishment! I surprise myself sometimes when I am feeling strong and fit, then look in the mirror and realized...still 100 pounds to go. It is a harsh reality, but maybe in a year I will have great pictures to post!!!

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  14. You look great! Well done! and I love the bike! :)

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  15. Seriously, jaw-dropping difference! You look so good and SO much happier!!
    Totally jealous of the bike too! You are an inspiration my dear!

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  16. You did THAT in a year? Gawd. I'm in awe. And with I had stuck with it so I could be your twin, cuz right now I look like you did a year ago. Daunting reality check for this woman.

    Way to go!

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  17. You now look like your own thinner- and YOUNGER!!!- sister!

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  18. Look how amazing and awesome you are! You look fantastic. And the bike is incredible. WOW.

    Congrats to you. You must feel SO GOOD.

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  19. WOW. Thank you for sharing that, what a great dose of inspiration! You look fantastic!

    LOVE the bike! =)

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  20. Wow ! You look amazing ! Congrats !

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  21. Holy crap, girl. You look fantstic. You've melted away. Wow.

    Ah, to wear size 12. I'd be so happy.

    LOVE that bike so much. I mean really love.

    You're doing so great. Such an inspiration.

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  22. Your before and after photos are so inspirational - you are looking great! And I love the bike.

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  23. Who is that skinny chick with the bike?? Girl, you look so great!!!

    It's all about lifestyle changes! I hope you don't mind, I mentioned your post yesterday in my blog today with a link to your blog. That post really made me think!

    KEEP INSPIRING ME!!!

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  24. Holy cow, what an amazing difference in a year’s time, Shelley! Huge congrats to you on a fabulous job. You look so much younger--as if you could be your own daughter.

    Once I get back into a size 12 I’ll be in heaven (well, not literally, I hope! LOL)

    --Susan

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  25. As they already said - you look fantastic. And I love that the before is a smiling happy you too! Great job - definitely inspirational!

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  26. You are a hot momma - before and after! :D

    Love that bike!!!

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  27. You look great! (And I bet you feel great, too!) I had the same experience -- getting disappointed with how I looked after I already lost a fair amount of weight.

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  28. I love your bike!!! Mine is pink too but I could not afford the Electra. You look fab Shelley and I agree you look A LOT younger.

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  29. What a difference! You look great. Old pictures make me cringe, too - which I don't think is really a good thing.

    And you do look younger!

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  30. You're such a winner--you deserve a bell! And maybe some cool streamers! Congrats, ya big Winna'

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  31. AWESOME...well done and congrats..hugs Khris in Oz

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  32. Shelley - you're beautiful!
    Don't let old pictures make you cringe. You wouldn't be you now, without all the parts that had gone before.

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  33. You look great! And I absolutely love your bike!

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  34. I just saw this post today and omg! SO CUTE. That bike is adorable!

    And you look so awesome in the after pic! Good job!

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