I haven't been this size in 18 years. I weigh what I weighed just prior to getting pregnant for the first time. For grins and giggles I tried on a pair of size 16 pants a friend gave me and was sure that they wouldn't zip or button. To my surprise, they fit with room to spare. I realize that to most of you, size 16 is still enormous, but when you started at a size 36W jeans, that means I've come a long way.
When I boarded the Michigan Princess, we received t-shirts. The lady handed me a size large. I looked at it and thought, "Great! I'll give this one to the kids." I wasn't going to embarrass myself by asking for a larger size. Mr. Sign told me that he was certain that I'd be able to wear it. I thought he was off his meds. I got home and daughter #1 encouraged me to try it on. Begrudgingly I did. Guess what? It fit!!! I can't fathom that I can wear a size large shirt. My highest shirt size was 6X when I could find it. Most times I wore a tight 5X because that's all the big girl stores carried. Anything larger had to be ordered from a catalog.
Since I seem to be in the sharing mood, my current weight is 220 pounds. Again, it's still a large number but in comparison to the whopping 384 pounds I was, I've come a long way, baby. By the way, that's a total loss of 164 pounds if you don't want to do the math.
I'm feeling really brave and posting some of my most hideous pictures at my highest weight, just before I had surgery.
June 2006
My mom, #1 and me on our way to Chicago.
My mom, #1 and me on our way to Chicago.
#1 and me in front of the Sears Tower in Chigaco.
Here are my current weight loss pictures:
Mr. Sign and me at our goddaughter's christening.
July 2006
July 2006
September 2007
So, I guess sharing is caring.
31 comments:
hon, you were big, but you were never hideous. and congrats on all the progress you've made. wow! you must feel like a million bucks being able to fit into off the rack sizes.
I've run out of things to say! You look awesome and have done soooo well! I'm actually hovering around the same weight!
I know exactly what you mean though about it still seeming big for some people, but when you consider where we came from, it is a big deal!
I can wear all Misses 18's and some Misses 16's. Just being able to wear a 16W freaks my freak! It's crazy!
You are so cool to post all the pics. It is really inspiring!
PS: I use FitDay too. :)
I agree with Lime, 100%.
Hideous? I don't think so.
You look great Jen, so much healthier and vivacious!
YOU ROCK! ♥
Rock on!!!!!Bravo.....
I do care sweetie.
These pictures are great Jenn. I always love your pictures. You take to the camera like fish to water and I haven't ever seen a bad picture of you. You're beautiful.
xoxoxox (more x than o)
You realize (of course you do) just another 28 pounds and you will have cut your weight right in half? That is simlpy amazing and boy does it show. I think the most I have taken off at one time was about 105 to 110. that took so long but oh was it worth it.
Now while these are still big numbers you just need to focus on where you have been and baby steps where you are headed. Despite how much more you wish to lose, you look wonderful now Sign. Who knows, by Christmas maybe you can get into a size medium.
I'm rooting for you on the side lines. Go SIGN go!
Oh and I third what Lime said...
You and Donna and I are all in the same weight boat. It's amazing, isn't it? I was at Target and found that I could wear the regular Misses L and XL, depending on the kind of fit I wanted - they both worked.
Somehow, I agree, the pants are more of a revelation than the tops. I mean, crap, at a 36H or a 34I, there is only so much boob you can cram into a blouse or sweater. Women's sizes are not so great for me now, especially not in pants. I have really long legs, and they tend to be cut for a max height of 5'7". They also goop or fall/roll at the waist. So not a plan.
Also, you look like you've always been photogenic! You and I were almost exactly the same pre-surgical weight and I didn't look half as good as you did. I think our body weight was distributed similarly; you're just cuter! ;)
And now you've got much less "front-ass" than I do, as well as better looking arms. It's so good to be able to see and compare with someone who started in close to the same place. If you'd want, email me and I'll see if I can get DH to mail pix of me pre-DS and now.
*S*
To me, looking at those pics, the transformation you have gone through is amazing. Even your smile is brighter.
I don't think a size 16 is enormous--I was a 16 for a long time and a size 14 for even longer. Just this last year when I decided to get serious, I finally dropped to an 8 and it was hard work for me--in fact, I'm struggling with it right now again because I keep reverting back to my stupid old habits and I can't be letting myself do that. Just reading/seeing how far you have come amazes me in both your dedication and determination. I love reading your posts so much because I love being able to celebrate your happiness with you!!
hugs :)
--snow
I am in aw as to how you and your husband have changed. You don't even look like the same people.
Simply amazing AND gorgeous!!!!
You look like an entirely different person. I am amazed..you look wonderful! A job well done!
sharing is caring.. and thats why I have decided to share with you love..
consider yourself tagged baby.
I love these pictures jenn and the last one is fantastic.:)
tc
You two look GREAT! Congratulations!
Small world. I weigh 220 now myself. I was 244 so have made progress.
Gurl. . . . When I look at the pictures. . . . NO matter what the weight. . . . I see a beautiful person . .. . with an enormous smile. .. . and so much love coming through.
Yes the weight loss is wonderful, but who you are is much more important than being twig skinny.
Ciao
I am speechless. Or should I say, wordless. Wow. You look great. Kudos to you on all that hard work. That's great!! What an inspiration you are.
Now you are so much bigger... I mean that as in better.. cuz you are....
Hugs and stuff with the occasional grope whilst Mr. Sign isn't looking.....
OMGosh what a difference in the bottom two pics, A VERY BIG CONGRATS!!!!!
Damn girl... You are looking awesome!!!
I am very proud of you.
you've always been gorgeous, missy... but amazingly so, now!
congratulations on all you've accomplished. you're amazing.
you are amazing and an inspiration no matter what size you are. keep up the good work, girlie girl.
and thanks for stopping by my blog. it's nice to see a familiar face!
you are amazing and an inspiration no matter what size you are. keep up the good work, girlie girl.
and thanks for stopping by my blog. it's nice to see a familiar face!
you are amazing and an inspiration no matter what size you are. keep up the good work, girlie girl.
and thanks for stopping by my blog. it's nice to see a familiar face!
You look wonderful. You and the Mr. should be very proud of yourselves. And I can only imagine how excited you were when you put that shirt on and it fit! Good for you.
I had to come back again...I am just amazed at what the difference is. I worked with a lady yesterday who's daughter is going through the counseling part of the bypass surgery. I told her a bit of your story and told her that you didn't even look like the same person.
You go girl..we're all proud of you!
xoxo
WOW! (Found you over at Dork-o-rama). You're half the size you were! Nothing like before and after pictures.
Congrats on your determination and hard work! You look great!
Well, I hate to have to tell ya this, but far as I'm concerned, you've always been cuter than a speckled pup.
Hideous? Not hardly, missy. Not ever.
Wow honey.. you are just doing an amazing job. What a transformation!
I think it's very good for the soul to pull out those "before" pics and share them. Thanks for your honesty and your courage. ((hugs))
You lost a whole person Jenn!!
It's an honor and an inspiration knowing you!
My SignQueen!!
xoxox
How much weight has MR Sign lost?
You look fabulous girl, and my top weight was 193...when I was 19. Thats a lot for a 5'1" gal.....
So im over at my blog bragging about my 40 pound weight loss this time around....that was nothin compared to the 65 I lost after college but then gained some of it back and lost and gained and lost...so I know....I do know....
You are wonderful...you look wonderful! Congrats I am so proud!
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