Picture Overload

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I know the day isn’t over but.. I’m tiiired. I’ve been going nonstop since 4am, and now that I am decompressing, I want to get this post done so I don’t have to worry about falling asleep without getting it in!

This morning, I was supposed to have my pictures taken for the final comparison picture. I don’t want to go into detail, but tl;dr, it didn’t happen. I’m going to be real with you, I was crushed. Not only was it a pretty big disappointment to kick the day off, I knew I’d have to take the pictures later in the day while water weight, food pudge and post-exercise swelling would have to be pictured alongside with me. I didn’t look my best for my final picture, but sometimes life just goes that way and if you can’t do it yourself, it’s not going to be done well. Problem is solved for next round though, I’ll have my own full-length mirror thanks to my dad.
For the NGs coming in who may see this post, or the OGs who haven’t done pictures yet: take your best before picture. I didn’t bother with trying to have a nice background because I genuinely didn’t believe in myself when I made that first post here. The before pic didn’t matter to me because I thought I’d fail and never see it again. Now I wish I had done all of my pictures on a blank wall. So, little tip there. Take pics against a clean background! Below I have my before and after with the backgrounds cut out, but I submitted the originals for the contest because I don’t want to get disqualified for anything if I mess it up, haha.
Once I got home from the gym at 11:30 after being there since 5:30 (another long story), I put these collages together to show progress from week 1 to week 8. Aside from the differences you can see, I want to talk about some of the ones you can’t see on the surface.
Weight: 399 -> 376
A1C: 8.4 -> 6.3
Insulin: 30 units AM, 16 units PM of long acting, and 12 units of mealtime insulin with each meal -> 24 units AM and no mealtime
Walking: 50 feet -> 1/4 mile
Muscle tone: nearly none -> rock under the blubber
Bra size: 56I -> 48F
Shirts: 34W -> 24W
Underwear: couldn’t wear -> new cute undies
Pants: 36W -> 26W
Sleep: 4 hours -> 8-9 hours
Pain: 10 -> 5
Energy: 1 -> 8
Confidence: 0 -> 90
Determination: 0 -> 100%
Never leaving my house -> gym every day, doing my own shopping, taking my daughter on trips, returning to the mountains, and much more.
Not even close to all the accomplishments I’ve made, but some I can easily articulate into comparisons. Most of my accomplishments and hands-down the most significant transformations have been mental ones. I went from a heavily medicated, pessimistic and depressed introvert to optimistic, upbeat, outgoing and eager life of the party. I used to think I could never accomplish anything and now, I believe I can do anything. From dreading every moment of every day, to living for each and every second. The gratitude I have for this community, for Jeff and the coaches, and for my own body is infinite. Even with my penchant for writing, there are not words to express how thankful I am for this opportunity, and how blessed I am to have been able to inspire and motivate others as well.
I cannot wait to see where I am at the end of the next round, and look forward to encouraging others every step of the way as I continue to improve my own mind, body and health.









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