I read an amazing book recently about one woman’s journey through weight gain and loss. I saw myself in so much of what she said, but nothing hit me quite like this quote she included:
“Those who do not move, do not notice their chains.”
That was so true of who I was before we began this journey. I was “content” and “happy with myself” because I didn’t know any different. I just was, and wasn’t moving. I was stagnant in so many ways, physically and emotionally. And because I didn’t “move” I didn’t feel how tied down I was…I didn’t notice my chains.
But looking back on myself at that point from this point…oh man! I was completely a prisoner to the food I was eating and the lifestyle I was leading. Bad choices, and too large of portions, and drinking pop, and sneaking treats, and eating whole loaves of bread in a day. I didn’t see those things as holding me down…I thought that meant I was in control. But things were out of control and I was completely captive to it. I was being held by invisible chains.
And then something clicked in my head and as we started to make changes, drastic ones, I could really see and feel those chains that were holding me down. And I wanted to bust free! And so we’ve been working hard together as a couple to bust free of our chains.
In preparation for this Transformation Tuesday post Chris and I went to our favorite photography spot and recreated some pictures from when we were at our heaviest. The wind was blowing like crazy, so don’t mind my hair!
Images on the left are from October of 2011. Images on the right are from March 16, 2014.
I am truly blown away by these pictures. Our clothes are just hanging off of us. We have really come a long way these last few months, and I think you can see it in our faces. We feel freer… we are freer! We’ve still got more work to do… weight to drop and muscle to build, but the changes we’ve made have been internal and external and monumental.
We’re busting free of our chains!
You are incredible! What a cool post to be able to write! Congratulations on having come this far and best of luck in your continued journey!
ReplyDeleteThanks a ton, Kim. It is a total milestone for us, being able to write this post and share these pictures. We still have work to do, but I'm so glad to have a place to share my journey. Thanks for stopping by. :)
DeleteLook at you! You both look great!! And even better, you FEEL great! That makes such a huge difference! :)
ReplyDeleteYes! Exactly! That part makes such a difference, and feeling that change just motivates us to do even more and keep going. :) Thanks Heather.
DeleteYou guys look Awesome. Good thing you are always taking pictures to capture your life so you can look back at the journey.
ReplyDeleteI know, right?! My crazy picture taking has its benefits. :) Very cool to have these pictures to look back on. I'm a huge believer in before and afters. :)
DeleteThat statement resonates with me too! I LOVE how happy you both look! And props for keeping those clothes...the minute I could fit into something smaller, I think I would have donated them to the good will...:-)
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit of a hoarder... :P But I'm going through my clothes this week and getting rid of the ones that really don't fit anymore. Then I'll have room to go shopping! ;) glad that quote resonated with you too. It just moved me so much I had to share.
DeleteOh Shaina, I am so happy for you both! You look wonderful and so happy. I can only imagine how much work has gone into making these changes so huge congratulations! And I'm so glad that you feel so free.
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