kcfoxie....

[kcfoxie]

So some of you don't know what I look like, and I've changed ... a bit... since my first signing up, and even from the last GTG you've seen me at.

So here are some historical photos:

1998 - the year the NB launched


2000 - I worked at Best Buy...


2001 - High School Graduation


2002 - "A Christmas Carol" Production, Theatre Memphis


2003 - Portland Oregon - Walking did me wonders. The last photo from this year I'd moved to North Carolina.



2004 - Event in DC


2005 - CAKE Concert, Raleigh NC & A friend's wedding



2006 - Random Shots from Work and Etc




2007 - NC Dubs Event


I have no photos from 2008 because I'd gone from about 260 to over 300 pounds. This is a photo from July 12, 2009. This is the photo, paired with a nightmare I had about having a stroke at work, that set me on the life-changing path I'm on now:


Note the shoes in the above photo... Vibrams... I was already walking 5mi a day with my ex's (skinny boy below) parrot around the lake by my house.


July 11, 2010 - one year to date. My ex and I had broken up by now, and I started running.

Other photos from 2010...
March:


April:


May:



August:


September:




2011....



I post these photos for perspective. I've lost 120 pounds since Black Friday 2009. As you can see from my photos I was always a heavy kid. I graduated High School in a size 52 waist and a 58 inch chest. Today, for the first time since the 6th grade, I wore a pair of Mens 34's to work. I'm still self conscious in them, as you girls can relate... the muffin top syndrome. But, I don't care anymore. I've accomplished a lot, I've battled my demons, and I won.

If you think you can't make the changes to get in better shape, you can. It takes devotion and dedication, and a good pair of shoes (4 out of 5 agree that Vibram FiveFingers change your life!!), people to support you, and the will to actually change things.

My change involved ending a very negative 5-year relationship, living entirely by myself, and a lot of running. By a lot, I mean, last week (Jan 13-18) I ran 16 total miles on foot, outdoors. I did even more simulated miles on the elliptical. I don't count my calories as much as I should, instead I worry about sodium now -- when I was sick recently by blood pressure was 140/82. It should be 120/60 like last May. I'd been eating a lot of Campbell's soup and they are horrible for sodium.

I also post these as a starting point. Moving forward I intend to transition from Information Technology to Personal Training. I want to help people be the best they can be, and I feel this is a wise move for me. I want to motivate folks like smartchick who have already accomplished an astonishing 50lb loss.

Don't lose your faith. Don't give up. If you feel wary, contact me. I'll talk you through the hard times.

A change like this was HIGHLY emotional. BJ, Michelle, and a few others know because they were there for me (thanks, ya'll!!). And if you're struggling, I'll be there for you....

As for the future of this thread, I hope to post more photos of happy Beetle times with Patches and the NB.org family!