Before and after pictures, as per Coyote and yorkiemalts request...
 

Some of these are from my photobucket, others i have stored in my computer...

Before, 2 summers ago, at my grandmothers wake.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...0/beckyFAT.jpg

After, last fall. On the left again, my visit back home.. brother doing what he does best. And his fiancee' on the right.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...evinDenise.jpg

Some of the strangest things getting used to, has to be people referring to me as "skinny", or people who haven't seen me in a while not recognizing me. Body image is still a daily struggle, and from what I can find in researching it, there is a good chance it will always be. Just take it a day at a time!

you look wonderful Becky!

No way that is you in the before pics. You should be very proud of your accomplishment. You are a beautiful young lady. And yes... Your skinny!!! LOL

lol thank you ladies, yes, that was me :o
I honestly never thought or felt I was "that big"... :eek: You know what they say about denial!

Bec, I'm so proud of you girl! *hugs* You've done so well! You need to give me some of that motivation! I'm really big into outdoorsy stuff, so I've never really had a problem working out. We're always hiking and doing stuff. But my problem is eating. I love food! Lol And I've been so lazy lately. I don't know if it's the winter and snow and cold, but I've just been so blah and it's not like me. I'm not really gaining weight, but I feel like I'm getting out of shape, ya know? What did you do food wise? I know you did calories, but what kinds of foods?

Special K cereal... milk is important. I usually don't drink my calories, I save them for food but I make an exception for milk. No soda.
Tons of water, and white meat. If I ate seafood, I would be eating tons of that. Little to no carbs. Small portion of brown rice, if you crave rice. Finding new ways to make veggies a major portion, and keep them exciting. Fruit as snacks, cereal bars or granola bars.

I also walk a lot, cannot wait until I have my treadmill! I do yoga/pilates/bellydancing in my own living room lol If you are an outdoorsy girl, hiking is a great way to get your heart rate up and use those muscles!

I used to keep a detailed journal (honest one) of every calorie I ate. Planned out meals and snacks...

bellydancing! i LOOOOVE bellydancing!!!

You did great!!! What an accomplishment. I know all about body image...mine sucks!!...lol...I know that I'm fat...no denial here. Hopefully this time next year I'll be 100 lbs lighter with WeightWatchers and this time I'll keep it off!

OMG Becky - you're an inspiration to all of us that have to lose weight!!

wow....what a change! You've worked hard Becky and you should be proud of yourself. You're gorgeous!

Becky, that is quite an accomplishment and you did it the natural way, no surgery. You are quite an inspiration!!! If you could do that, those of us who need to shed 20 or so pounds and are otherwise healthy have not excuse!!!

Go girl!!

Wow, Becky!! What a change!!!! Yep, you're "skinny"!!!!!!

Thank you everyone, it would be an honor to be considered inspirational ;)

learp, here is one of my favorite performances from my bellydancing DVD set
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJWdPAGWOf8

My "instructor" lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nIKBQ5ozZU

I bought some Special K today! :)

Janet, I wish you lots of luck girl! My SIL did WW and swears by it :)