I guess I did not realize it in the beginning. Because I was just so freaking excited to be shrinking.
You see when you start out at 272 pounds you think of weight loss as a way to desperately be free of your stifling fat body, or at least for me that is how it began. I wanted to fit into some skinny jeans. I wanted to look like my size 0 sister. That is all.
So I began like this:
I obviously had stretched out my skin pretty far to be carrying around 272 pounds on my 5'5 frame. But I did not realize how much damage I was doing until I began losing weight.
I lost an average of 8-10 pounds a month for 15 months. I lifted hand weights at the beginning and did cardio. I always stuck with both weights and cardio through the journey because I liked seeing the results.
So what is the after math of going from being obese, giving birth, weighing almost 300 pounds and now down to 155 all in less that 2 years?
Where is your skin? As I have been asked many many times?
There it is. My belly button is no longer visible, it looks more like a frown. I have ab muscles but they are hidden by the loose skin. I can crunch a million times a day but that skin will probably never go completely away.
I know I am lucky, I know many have it a lot worse, and I am not whining much but all I am saying is I do wish I had learned about being healthy a lot sooner. I do really wish I did not let it get so bad that my skin would be damaged too.
But I will not live with regret. I decided I will keep working my ass off and running to be faster and stronger. I will keep lifting and work on my body. I may not be able to rock a bikini anytime soon but I can rock this new shirt which I have come to adore :
6 comments:
Baby doll..it is ALL good. You look fabulous. Loose skin and all.
I hear you on the loose skin. It's frustrating when all your hard work doesn't show and there isn't anything (aside from surgery) that could correct that.
Be proud of what you've accomplished. You look great and will be flaunting that shirt often as you fly past all those dudes on your runs.
So odd how people obsess about the loose skin. I've heard people say they don't want to lose weight because of it. Seriously?!?! It's a shame that people who lose a lot of weight, me included, have to go around with a constant reminder of what you did to your body in the past. Personally I'm trying to think of it as battle scars now.
Yep, I'min the same boat! Wasn't as heavy as you but did lose over 70 pounds and have gone through 4 pregnancies leaving me with lots of loose skin. I could so wear a bikini if it wasn't for that. Some day when I have the money, I'lltakecare of it but for now, as you said, I'll concentrate on being the best athlete I can be. :)
Thank you Michelle.
Bari thanks for the support. I believe after baby #2 in a few years I will get it fixed just because I earned it hehe
Rose I know! A woman at work told me she did not want to lose weight and have it.... My health is number 1 reason! I wanted to reach out to her but I am always too afraid to come off as preachy.
Jeannie I agree with you its a someday thing and health is number 1 right now :) (but am glad to know someone agrees with me that it would be nice to fix hehe)
I totally love you for posting this! Your honesty is inspiring!
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