Like this:

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t want to write this post. No, I don’t think you understand how MUCH I don’t want to write this post. And yet, here I am…writing it. I’m sure you’re asking yourself why I’m bitching about writing a post that I don’t want to write if I’m just going to do it anyways and the short answer is….for you. For you and I and everyone else fighting the battle of the bulge. I’m going to be brave, cringe, cry, squirm a little, and then I’m going to post pictures of what my body looks like after having a baby & losing 85 pounds. No camera tricks. No lies. No gimmicks. This is all me.

Sometimes people make it seem like all you have to do is work out and suddenly you’ll lose weight and have a tight little body but I hate to break it to ya kid, that’s not how it works. Ya see, It took me almost 2 years to lose all this weight. I walked, I did yoga, I kickboxed, I zumba’d, I had living room dance parties, I bought an elliptical, and I counted calories until I knew how many were in my favorite food items without even looking, and yet, my body…is far from “fit.” Sure, I’m a lot thinner than I was (although still a bit chubby) but I don’t have a tight tummy, lean legs, or fit arms. No. I weigh less but the skin that housed all the extra fat, well….some of that stuck around.

This is who I am. I’m a bit vain so posting this is causing me distress. It’s a huge blow to my self esteem but I’m trying to focus on the positive. I look better than I did. I’m fitter than I was. I’m healthier than I used to be. Sure, my body isn’t a work of art but it’s mine, it’s healthy, and it created life. What more could I ask of it, right? (Body if you’re reading this, just drip off the fat, shrink down the middle and knock me into about a size 6.) Sorry…wishful thinking.

So, low and behold, here is the ugly side of weight loss.

Let’s ease into things with a side shot. Not too bad…

And here is the other side. Notice the stretch marks that go around my entire body.

Now let’s get a little uglier…

The remainder of a 262 lb stomach...

What happens when you deflate a 262 lb belly....the results are in.

And finally, the minute details people don’t think about….

This is the back of my right leg. There are stretchmarks from thigh to ankle.

Followed by my arm which also has marks all down the side from rapid weight gain & loss

Now, in order to lose weight you have to do a little of this….

Getting ready for a workout!

Oh look, shiny!

And a lot of ^ that!^ (Sweating.)

So there you have it, the ugly side of weight loss. My body is my own and while it isn’t pretty it did take me a lot of time, effort, and pain to get to this point. So even if the after effects of my weight loss are less than appealing, I did what I had to do to get myself there and you know what, I’m pretty damn proud of that fact. Besides, who needs a pretty body anyways? Mine functions, does what I ask of it with minimal complaint, and has created life. I’d say that my body is doing pretty damn good for itself these days.

Peace, Love, and Special K Protein Bars
Sarah V.

 

And as a reminder, here is me at 262 lbs….

 

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