Friday, April 18, 2008

"Before" Pictures

In an amazing act of faith, my Weight Watchers buddy and I donned our swimming suits and took “before” pictures of one another in my playroom.

Let me preface this by saying that even when I was thin (size 11 is thin to me) you wouldn’t find me dead in a swimming suit. (Unless, of course, I had drowned in a swimming pool and the handsome lifeguard had to rip off my tank top and cover-up shorts in a valiant attempt to save my life.)

But yes, we decided (and without the help of mind-altering medication) to document just how big we are (and by “we” I mean “me” because really, my friend’s a reed in the wind). And isn’t it amazing how your mind often protects you from the truth, convincing you that you’re not as wide as you really are. Because when you see the picture you realize it appears as if you have swallowed a Frito Lay truck. Whole. Generally speaking, of course.

So now I have blackmail-worthy photos on my camera and I’m afraid to download them to my computer. Because my laptop screen is seventeen inches wide and displays with amazing clarity. You do the math.

It’s startling how quickly one can lose their modesty, and not for the reasons you might assume. Last night we weighed in, once again. I showed up in light-weight knit clothing. I went to the bathroom before I stepped on the scale. I would have gotten naked in front of the nearly 15 other women waiting for their turn if they had let me.

First I’m in an amateur photo shoot in my swimsuit. Next, I’m getting arrested for indecent exposure at the local Weight Watchers. I’m on a new slippery slope here, people.

But even wearing clothing we lost ten pounds total. 10 pounds! (And not to brag, but I am. 6.4 of it was mine. All mine!) That’s the size of a baby. And not a newborn either, but a chunky Gerber baby. It may have had something to do with all those light and airy thoughts we were thinking. To quote my friend: “I am light as a frickin’ feather.” I tell ya, that’s the Law of Attraction in action right there.

And as much as you’ve probably enjoyed hearing all about my big ole self, I swear that this blog will not become a weight loss diary. I also promise never to inflict you with my “before” pictures.

The “after” pictures? I can’t promise anything.

15 comments:

Suburban Correspondent said...

You go, girl! Once you lose that first 10, you've got real momentum...

Rachel said...

YAY! I have found that there is almost NOTHING as good as the feeling of losing weight. Despite this fact, I still think it is hard. One you get going htough, it can be addicting. I am on my own journey as well (since my "baby weight" turned to "toddler weight" about 8 months ago... ARHG!

We don't mind the weight loss stories.. it keep s us motivated!

Spammon said...

You know what I always love about before and after pics in the magazines? In the before pics, the people are as white as snow, a horrible looking swimsuit and you can tell they are pushing their stomachs out as much as possible. Then the after picture, they have a nice dark tan, neon swimsuit to glow from the dark tan and they are sucking in and holding their breath.

Karen said...

Sometimes it takes a picture like that to give yourself a kick in the butt.

I need before pictures in a bathing suit. I need a kick in the butt.

Great job with the weight loss!!

Nan Sheppard said...

Wow, well done! It's the beginning of a whole new love affair... With yourself! Even once the men start getting lucky, remember you're number one.

lindsey said...

I love before and after!!!! Keep us posted, pretty please!

Candygirlflies said...

Ahem...

(***loses all self-control and dignity***)

WAAAAA-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

And a big ol' "WOOT, WOOT, WOOT!!!!" for good measure.

xoxo CGF

Melodrama Mama said...

What a fantastic accomplishment! Way to go! And for those of us who are also on the weight loss bandwagon, keep the stories coming! To quote high school musical - which is the music that I most often hear - due to an still-obsessed nine year old "we're all in this together!"

GustoBones said...

6.4lbs awesome!! Way to go!!! I have this pair of jeans that I have not worn in 3 years and it makes me sad. My "baby" just turned 2 and it is time to get this 15 extra lbs off!! Can I use your weight loss as inspiration?

Anonymous said...

That is awesome! I just signed up on ww online. I am hoping that it will be slightly accountable, not nearly as much as actually facing the scale at a weekly meeting, but a step forward for me. I will be checking back to get some inspiration to keep going. Good for you!!

Carrie Wilson Link said...

I can't WAIT to see the after pics! Wow, 6.4 lbs. in one week? WOWOWOWOW! Take an A!

Anonymous said...

That is great!!! I'm in there with you Shauna. I had to do something too, I was going crazy with being stuck.
What a great start, and what a great support group you have going. I love hearing the stories, they help keep me motivated too.
XOXOX

shauna said...

You guys are such a great support group. I promise to share all about the weight loss-periodically anyway. I'm currently going through a period in which I realize just emotionally-driven my eating habits are. So I'm trying to figure that out in order to make this "lifestyle change" stick. Share your efforts with me too. I can use all the inspiration I can get!

Anonymous said...

Every minute in a swim suit is "before." I've never in my life experienced an "after" body in a swim suit. The suit itself turns my body into before.

I'm so over swimming.

The Hussy Housewife said...

What? No before pics of you in all your glory. LOL! I must admit I feel kinda cheated.