Before I get to today’s post, if you haven’t read Craig’s latest blog yet, you should. Really, it’s refreshingly honest and touching. I know I can relate and I’m sure most of you can too. At first, he debated even posting it and several readers encouraged him to, including me. I was reminded of the House episode from the other night about a blogger who fell ill. You can read a synopsis of this episode here. When learning that she needed a heart valve transplant, her first response was to ask her readers for advice. Her boyfriend discouraged her from doing it because he was tired of their lives being so exposed on her blog. She said “If I start to pick and choose now, then I’m not being honest”. That really hit home for me and caused me to really think not just about how much I share here but also all the things I don’t share. So when I read that Craig wasn’t sure if he should post what he had in mind because it was so personal and revealing, it made me think of the series of posts that I had been considering that were also personal and revealing. So, I made a deal with him. I told him if he posted his, I would start mine. Well, he posted his, and I’m a woman of my word, so I’ll be starting a new blog series in the next week or so. I’m still working on a title, but the content is almost done. I can tell you this. It totally fits in with today’s post below.
Now onto today’s post!
On my Progress Pictures page, you’ll notice that I have always posted a picture of me wearing a white tank top and black shorts, while looking straight to the camera. (Boring, huh?) What that page doesn’t show is that I have also been taking a variety of other pictures all along as well. Pictures from the side, pictures from the rear, pictures of my bare belly, close-ups of my arms, legs, and face. I haven’t been posting these other views for a few reasons. Part of it is OCD and the fact that I didn’t want my pictures page to become too overcrowded. Another reason is modesty. I had considered sharing the bare belly photos of me a while back during the “Exposed” craze, but didn’t because I realized I was far too modest to be that exposed yet. I guess the biggest reason I hadn’t posted these other views was because up until now, there wasn’t really a major difference in the before and after, so I thought “What’s the point?”
Well, here is a side view of me as I was on September 28, 2009 (Day 1 of this journey) and me as I was on March 8, 2010 (Day 161 of this journey):
I can see a difference, can you? It’s weird, because when I look at my current photo by itself, I see a fat girl with belly rolls and cellulite. But something funny happens when I put the two together…I see a much healthier girl. A girl with a little bit of muscle definition just starting to appear. A girl whose collarbones are now visible for the first time in over a decade. A girl whose double chin has all but disappeared. (Score!) My face is starting to look different, more defined. My posture is better.
This realization is a pretty awesome feeling – one I’m NOT used to and one that’s hard to put into words – but that’s what I intend to do over the next few weeks. I hope to benefit greatly from this new series I’m starting and hopefully some of you will too.
Edited to add:
Check out the $50 shopping spree giveaway on Mary’s Weight Loss Blog! I can win a $50 Shopping Spree Giveaway from iHerb.com and so can you! Click here for contest details! I hope I win because their pancake mix looks delicious!
85.6 miles walked/jogged/ran since January 1st. (2010 Goal: 500)
14.9 miles biked since January 1st. (2010 Goal: 300)
(3) 5K finished since January 1st. (2010 Goal: 12)
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
I truly did benefit from Craig’s post, and I’m sure that yours will hit me in the same way. I think we can all relate to each other in some way, shape or form.
The difference in your face alone speaks volumes! Lookin hot, Mama!
Definitely tell the difference. Good Job!
Wow, what a job you have done! You go girl!!
Lookin real good!
Wow, thanks for the plug Josie! I am so glad you enjoyed reading it. I’ve had several downs (and ups!) that I am looking forward to sharing with my readers. I cannot wait to read yours, too.
Your pictures…wow. Looking at them side by side, so many differences! Is it possible to look younger from the side? I think you just proved it is!
You’re doing so great…and you know how proud I am of you! Keep on keepin’ on girl!
Your progress is completely totally crazy obvious, lady! You are become fitter and trimmer by the day
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Yeah, I can totally tell! Amazing progress, Josie! Isn’t it a little frustrating to see how far you’ve come in just over 5 months? What I mean by that is that it took you years (and me years and years, too) to actually make the change–and relative to the time we spent fat and lazy, it’s righting itself pretty quickly! You rock!
ANd yeah, Carig’s post was fabu!
Wow-o-wow!!! Your progress is amazing!
I know what you mean about the photos. I sometimes feel that way about what I see in the mirror, too. But yes, getting out some “before” photos does help get it into perspective.
You can definitely see a change! Way to go Josie! Congrats!
Awesome progress!!!!!!!!!!!!! You look so fabulous! Hard work pays off!
Short of time so will check Craig’s post later!
You are making such fantastic progress!
Craig’s post was amazing today, so I’m looking forward to reading your story in more detail too!
Great pics. You can really see a big difference! Congratulations Josie!!!
Off to read Craig’s post now.
I just read Craig’s post and WOW… I get it too. Thanks for pointing it out in your post. I got a lot out of it.
Your side shots look great. Wow, you are changing. I love you girl!!!!!!
Wow, you look great! Definitely should be an awesome feeling! *confetti*
Isn’t it amazing that seeing something in its context can be so powerful? Way to go, Josie, you are ROCKING! Looking forward to reading your story, too. The blogging community can be a powerfully embracing phenomenon, and you’ve got a LOT of support right here.
Oh, there’s no question about seeing the changes — they’re incredible! You’re doing an amazing job.
I think that’s really great progress. Congratulations!
I did draw side views of my progress pics, but decided against posing them. Maybe I will later, when I can show clear progress like these photos
I came over here earlier today and visited Craigs blog but forgot to leave you a comment! I think it is is powerful to expose our vulnerable sides. I got some experience with that today…:-) Thank you so much for your supportive comment on my blog today. I really appreciate your support and friendship. By the way, you are looking so good! You are consistently chugging away on your goals and are an inspiration to me. xoxo
Your progress is amazing! Not only amazing, but impressive! Not only impressive, but spectacular! What a great job you are doing and thanks for sharing that with us. I am the same with you when it comes to pictures. I know I should take some and post them, but just not at that point yet. I too went to Craigs site and enjoyed that post and the honesty and trauma he has dealt with. It is truly inspiring as well. Keep up the great work!! Catch you later..
Hoooly crap! Thats a huge difference, you are doing awesome!!!
Go Josie, Go Josie!! you look awesome and are inspiring.
That’s fantastic! You can tell such a huge difference between the pictures.
And kudos to you for posting what you’re posting next week. I look forward to reading it.
What a wonderful, wonderful difference!! I’m so happy for you.
Thank you all so much, I’m just so humbled by all of your gracious comments! <3
Crazy!!! That’s some awesome progress right there! OMG! You look so different!!
Now let’s attack 200 together.
Josie, you are really doing awesome. When you compare those pictures and see how far you have come, it is nothing short of amazing. Great, great work Josie!