Before and After Pictures

While I believe my body will always be in a state of change. The bulk of the weight loss is done. I am down to taking off the last few pounds of fat, piling on some muscle and lamenting the leftover skin.

Some days, like everyone, I struggle to eat right or be truly motivated for my cardio. Usually on those days I am also deflated by the fact that - though I have been busting my butt (literally) for the past almost 21 months - I still do not look like a model.

Now common sense girl knows better. I will never look like a model, my body simply isn't made to be that willowy, lightly muscled waif thing. 9.9 out of every 10 days, I am glad. Hell, I like my breasts and my curves. It's taken me a long time to come to respect them and now that I do, I don't want to give them up. It's just every once in a while I get down on myself and think I have not come far enough.

That's why I am glad, when I was looking for inspiration on Sunday, I bumped across Jessica's blog. On there is a software tool that allows you to put in your before and after weight and get computer generated pictures. It even allows you to adjust hair, skin, nose size and more so it better resembles you.

Since I don't really have actual before and after pics, much to everyone's disdain (including mine) this is a nice alternative. Besides, you wouldn't have caught me dead in a swimsuit when I actually weighed 260 pounds!

So here you go - me at 260 in July 2006 and me now at 150 in 2008.






You can do yours at Prevention Magazine.

From now on, when I think I need to be more perfect, I will look at this post as a reminder of how far I have come and give respect where it is due.

Yours in (mental) health, Kate

Sunday Inspiration - 4/6/08

It's Sunday and as usual, I have been busier than I probably should be. (Something about this being a day of rest...)

Yesterday I ran the route for the AIDS Run/Walk. I wanted to try it to see if I would survive well enough next week to make an appearance an hour later at Hy-Vee Hall. I did. In fact, I ran it in 34 minutes flat! The 34 is impressive for three reasons: 1. Last fall on an almost completely flat course I ran 36:19; 2. I have run 5Ks on the treadmill recently at 34:40 and 34:20, and I only threw in a few inclines; 3. The time is astounding because there were hills! Not little inclines on the treadmill, honest to God Iowa mountains!

Now, before anyone calls me on that, of course I am exaggerating on the 'mountains'. But damn, there was one hill I didn't even attempt to run, I simply walked it. Overall, it was an amazing challenge. I am glad I did it. And barring rain or snow, I'll do it again next weekend.

The other thing about Sunday around here is inspiration...

I went looking for inspiration and I have found it for you. Her name is Jessica and she has lost 140 pounds over the past 6 years. She has done it the right way - eating right and exercising. She is as adamant against 'magic pills' and surgery as I am. She agrees that it is a lifestyle change that makes for permanent weight loss and nothing else.

Here you can check out Jessica's Blog.

On Tuesday I will show you my version of computer generated 'before' and 'after' pics inspired by the ones on her page. While I do not believe I am done with my body yet, the pics really woke me up AND made me happy with where I am.

Yours in health, Kate

A picture is worth a thousand words - part 1

I didn't get to workout today. It makes me a little crazy. But I will be back at it tomorrow with both my cardio and Traci.

My pitfall today - I needed something to wear for my photo shoot tomorrow. That's right, the Des Moines Radio Group air talents are having a professional photographer come in to take our pictures. This will be the first time I have had a pro-pic taken in 19 years, the last was my senior pictures for high school. The winter after those my weight ballooned and I began avoiding cameras like, yes, the plague.

So, now I am facing down a major mental menace tomorrow and I had nothing to wear. I know that sounds odd, but due to my eating and exercise, I keep shrinking out of everything. In fact, today as I was hunting, I found I have moved down another pant size. I am not whining, I am aware that everyone wishes that had such problems. However, shopping ate up my workout time.

I am taking three options to the photo shoot, hopefully something will work for the photographer.

NOW... the thing everyone asks me for, a "before" picture. Honestly, I have looked everywhere and this is the best I can offer. It is a chest up shot from May of 2006 that I used for a headshot as I attempted to land a walk-on role in the movie "The Final Season". I remember thinking at the time that I looked pretty good. I realize now I was deluding myself, I was morbidly obese and miserable.


Again, this is from May, I actually put on about 12-15 pounds after this was taken. I didn't start my journey to health until July 18, 2006.

Yours in health, Kate
(I still don't like that sign-off)