Friday, December 31, 2010

2010: A Years End & A Look Back

As this year's final hours and minutes wind down I thought it would be fun to look back at where I have been and where I am now.  I won't be writing a resolutions post because I don't make them.  I know what my goals are and none of them have anything to do with beginning or ending on New Year's day.

So, with that said, the following is a true story ...

2006
I was miserable. All hope had been drained out of me and I was convinced that I was headed for the grave as a super morbidly obese person.  Then I found PastaQueen's blog.  It seemed incredible to me that someone who had been as fat as I now was (370 lbs) could lose the weight on her own without magic pills or surgery. I grew inspired and began to have a small bit of faith that maybe I could do this. I had no idea how, but since Jennette had done it then it was possible!  I wish there was some way I could repay her for that glimmer of hope because it rested in my mind, reminding me that someone had done this incredibly hard thing, until I was able to put my belief in the possible into action.  Without her blog or her story I don't know if I would be where I am today.















2007
2007 was the year that I bought the largest piece of clothing that I have ever had to wear - a pair of size 32 jeans that were still too tight for me to breathe.  These jeans were the death of my denial.  Prior to walking into that store on that day in October of 2007 I had tricked myself into believing that I hadn't gotten fatter.  I was still in a size 28.  Yet the clothes I wore were stretchy.  I had long ago given up on wearing real pants or skirts because they just weren't comfortable.  So it was soft, stretchy bottoms for me and soft comfortable t-shirts.

The annual departmental meeting had been scheduled.  Everyone from all over the country would travel to Houston for a week long face to face brainstorming session.  But we also had fun stuff to do too.  I had found a great activity for us to all play.  It was a scavenger hunt arranged by a local gaming company on the streets of our city.  We all were required to wear jeans and a company t-shirt.  I didn't have jeans because of all the clothes a fat person can't wear that is usually at or near the top of the list.  So when I went to buy some, grabbing a size 28 and tried them on I was horrified that they wouldn't even rise above my hips and stomach.  They stopped mid-thigh.  I thought it was a mistake.  I checked the tag.  Nope, they were the right size.  So I grabbed a size 30 and these would rise over my hips but no way could I zip them up.  The tears started to form but were held back by pride.  The jeans that fit (or would at least zip up) were a size 32 that had absolutely no shape or form other than being a possible replacement as a sail on a pirate's ship.  These pictures are from that day.  And as a fun fact, apparently super morbid obesity causes you not to be able to open your eyes for pictures.












2008
2008 was the year that I wrecked my gallbladder, had it removed and "woke up" in a morbidly obese body on Thursday, June 18th. It was the year that changed everything. Sadly there isn't a lot of photographic evidence to the fact because I was still feeling such a sense of shame from the jeans and the surgeon that made me know that it was "a lot of work that wore me out" when he took out my gallbladder. But the two pictures I do have of earlier that year tell the story of a woman that was about to break. The expression on my face cannot be misread - I did not want my picture taken.  I was ashamed and uncomfortable with my body.



2009
2008 was the year that changed everything, but 2009 was the year that I knew it! I came alive in 2009. I wanted things. I wanted to wear nicer clothes, fix my hair, buy designer shoes, start exercising, move into a better apartment, buy new furniture, come out of my shell and socialize... The list goes on. The start of all of the self confidence came when I had my first pictures taken since early 2008 and I SAW what everyone else had seen. I had lost weight. The diet was working.  The size 32 jeans were no longer so tight I couldn't breathe, they were baggy with lots of room to spare.



I began to love the camera a bit more than I had in past years.  In fact I had a lot of pictures taken last year.



And the size 32 jeans? Yeah, they got even bigger last year as I got smaller.



2010
This year had its ups and downs. I had lost 40 lbs in the Spring, only to put them right back on because I turned to my old friend the refrigerator when the stress of dealing with DM wore me down. But I rebounded at the end of August determined to get my diet and my life back on track. On August 27th I took a vacation and vowed that I would use that time wisely to regroup and to stop the upward climb on the scale. I weighed 277 lbs. It was tough for a few days, but I did it. and returned to blogging after a year's hiatus.   Here I am in October.



Then I decided to give myself added incentive and joined the first phase of the Double Dog Dare Challenge and I haven't regretted that choice.  Allan takes a lot of crap for being blunt and not wrapping the truth in sweetness and light, but it is the truth and if you want to lose weight for real then you could do worse than to listen to him.  When I began the Challenge, I was 251, and it was that extra bit of motivation that I needed to get me through the diet killing holidays.  It worked!  As of the last weigh in I was 230.8 lbs and the last posted weight on this blog was 229.  What will I be on the last weigh in of the Spawn phase of the Challenge?  Stay Tuned!

Now, lets look at where I am today (or yesterday as that was when these were taken).



And I can't possibly end this year without an update on those size 32 jeans, now can I? Exactly how big have they gotten? Well when I put them on to take these pictures they fell right off. I no longer have anything to keep them up. My hips have been largely nipped and are now less than 1/2 the size they used to be.





If you are interested in seeing the entire story I have posted all of my pictures in albums by year on my Facebook profile.

Onward and Downward y'all!

2011 is when I get to goal.  How about you?  Wanna join me?

11 comments:

Digger said...

Kimberly, first of all, thank you for having the courage to share your story. I have only read through 2007, and I needed to stop and say, "I feel your pain." Thank you for not holding back but rather standing in your truth and telling it as it is.

I remember how horrified, upset, and angry I was when I saw myself described as "morbidly obese." My new cardiologist had written that on my chart three years ago, and when I saw it, I was so very upset. But I hid my pain and told no one. I just did not go back to that doctor. How dare he??

It took me a long time to admit he was right. I don't know that I could have ever had the courage to tell my story as you have, complete with photos. I don't even have a photo on my Facebook page....because of embarrassment and shame. So I applaud you, girl. You are a brave and strong woman.

Digger said...

I just went back and read the rest of your story. OMG, girl!! What you have done is so totally awesome. The photos show a nothing less than incredible journey that you are traveling. Congratulations, and I hope you give yourself mega pats on the back.

You give me strenght and courage. Thank you.

Keep up the good work. I cannot wait to see you in the spring. And it will be so much fun to watch you as you continue to move toward your goal of fitness. Hang in there!!

Wow! What a Woman!!

Plump Nonfiction said...

Kimberly... that was incredible. I'm really glad you shared your struggles and your victories. You have come such a long way and you keep on fighting. I know 2011 will be a great year for all of us. I will be keeping up on your progress. Take care!

Beth said...

Kimberly, what an incredible, inspiring post. You look so radiant in your slimmer pictures and the latest ones's look fab! You look awesome. What a year for you and what a brilliant way to usher in the New Year.

May this year bring more and more good things your way as you continue to work hard towards your goals.

Karen Butler Ogle said...

You have done a tremendous job, Kimberly and I admire you so much. The photos tell the story and are a testament to your commitment. Stick with the plan and I know 2011 will be your year to really shine. Hugs. :)

Vegan Chick Pea said...

You are incredible. You thought you couldn't do it, but you really really did. I'm so happy we found each other's blogs and I was able to read your story. You're amazing! Keep up all your hard work. You're making it work for you! :)

the strawberry said...

I don't have much to add (ditto to what everyone else said already) other than WOW!!! The transformation from start to now- we aren't finished yet- is nothing short of amazing! Keep it up!

Deb said...

Wow. Amazing progress. For me, it all started with Pasta Queen too.

Penny said...

Awesomeness! That is all I can say...you are pure awesomeness

Mrs F. said...

I think your smile says it all, and yes, you are AWESOME! :)

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