Akane's Before/After Pictures :)

Thanks, Arctic! You're awesome!

That's awesome, well done. Inspired me to keep going

Thank ya, Justin! Yeah, I was mostly procrastinating. I have weigh-in pictures from the very beginning. I plan on making a video of me shrinking...it should be fun!

Heehee thanks! *BLUSH* Yeah, considering that almost 100lbs has dropped off my shorty short bod. I'd say so. And not done yet!! I'll basically be losing a whole person when I am done. 132 lb person to be exact!

Sure! And thanks! I am usually private with my pics, but I figure I've lost more than enough to post it on here

Damn straight!

Thanks, mygrin!

Thanks, HappyGranny!

you rock girl!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Cathie! Whenever you feel weak, just use my pics to motivate you not to give in. You can do it too!

Yeah, fortunately I can cover most cept perhaps the arms....but at least those are not looking too bad. It's just a bad "side effect" of losing weight quickly enough...and just being older. Suffice to say, I will not be "torturing" people by wearing a bikini....JUST YET. That'll be an achievement for another year. Thanks for the encouragement!! I totally value your support!

Thanks, Seismic!

Thanks, Killswitch!

Thanks a bunch, Jemma!!

Thanks Crystal I am proof that is CAN be done and I am a TOTAL lazy procrastinating gal. It's just I finally found something I can follow easily(for me) and it gives me regular results with minimal effort. Especially that Cheat Day....yeah if that wasn't there I would have probably not lasted as long as I did. It's definitely a Godsend! Keep the faith....it is possible to reach your weight loss goals and re-invent yourself!

Thanks, Badly! It's one of my better features...for the moment.

Thanks, Mexicana

Thanks Pinto

*DOUBLE BLUSH* Thanks a bunch KarmicDeb!

*BLUSH* Thanks, Braveman You are sexy too and can also be EPIC! Keep working at it!

You are looking great! I was shocked when I read your age in the picture, because I have only seen your picture in your actual weight I though you had like 25 years or less xD when I read you had 42 I was like WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!!!!!!????? keep it up

HAHAHAHA, yeah, I get that a lot! THanks for the compliment! I hope I always look younger than I actually am. I'll probably look even YOUNGER when I lose all my weight! Yay!

Thanks a bunch, Gru!

Thanks Puck! Yeah, you'd think "WOW a year! That's so long!" But, ya know it went by pretty quickly! I think that SCD has just been such a part of my new lifestyle, I don't think about it so much anymore. It's so natural. It's "what I do".

right on, I guess that is what you have to do for long term success! keep it up!

Thanks, LizzieBee! ALMOST half of me is gone. Hopefully when it is all said and done I'll have lost 53% of my body weight! I still cannot fathom it...but hey, I'm approaching my 100lb lost mark. Which means...only 32 to go!

Thanks IDont

Thanks LondonLady! ^ _^ I really hope others who are just starting will be inspired enough and determined enough to reach their weight loss/health goals and that it is never too late nor impossible to do it.

OMG Makes me so happy, Laura that you replied! Thanks to you for the encouragement. A lot of your pics just inspired and motivate me to possible ONE DAY to get where you are(at least once my skin finally snaps back, IF it does @_@) Anyway, that's something to worry about for a later time. For now, I continue on with my journey and battle of the bulge! Thank you so much for this forum it has helped me SO MUCH in "getting SCD right".

Thank you. It's people like you who make it all worthwhile! I am spreading your story to everyone...

Woo!

Heehee, thanks, Inara!!! You keep trucking along with SCD! You can do it too!

Yeah! I'm doing my best...I'll have results but you're a rockstar Akane!!!

Thanks, Jake. I don't think I'm there quite yet, but definitely liking the smaller pants. Like the size 10 jeans

Thanks, Vtine!

Hi Erica!! Keep it going!!! You can do it!! What are you eating exactly? Are you drinking enough water? Getting enough protein/calories? Are you exercising? Let me know maybe we can bump up that progress of yours! You should expect to lose about 1-3 lbs per week after the first two weeks. Sometimes you may not lose anything at all or gain due to the monthly visitor, but otherwise you should lose regularly. I got here because of discipline, patience and determination. You can too!

Yes, I lost 107.4 lbs with JUST the Slow Carb Diet & exercise. You can do it too!

Yepyep!!! You betcha!! I will get to it by the beginning of summer!

Thanks Suz!

Thanks onewomanarmy!

Thanks Nin!

Thanks, Dimbooti!

Thanks, Farrah!

Thanks, Raining!!! *blush* Not stopping until I get to my goal!

Thanks, Merritt and welcome to the community!

Ok, first, how much do you want to lose? How tall are you? How old are you? All those factors including your activity level will contribute to the overall amount of food you should be eating AND still lose weight.

The first few weeks it will seem you are stuffing yourself, but try to NOT get much lower than say 1200 calories a day(more like 1500-1600 if you workout heavily, like more than an hour a day and intensely)

There is nothing to be afraid of, Merritt, the Slow Carbing lifestyle WORKS....and I am one of the BIGGER advocaters of this lifestyle on this site.

This site has helped me immensely, and I have done my best to "pay it forward" and help others who are just starting to succeed as well in their health/weight loss goals That being said, it is a lot of trial and error. Mostly you want to keep some principles in mind: 1) Eat until you are full using the rules of 30g of protein for breakfast then AT LEAST 20g of protein(more like 30-35g) for lunch and dinner. Also, keep the ratio of protein-veggie-legumes to a 40-40-20 type ratio. If you feel you are craving, increase your protein a bit. Legumes (as they are still a carb) should not be larger than veggies or the protein, BUT they SHOULD be part of at least your breakfast and lunch meals. You can omit them for dinner if you wish.

Now to answer your questions...

No, I did not experience fear, but DETERMINATION to succeed and give this lifestyle a serious go for at least the 6 weeks. I found I liked this way of eating and stuck to it. 13 months later, here I am....120 lbs lighter and 70.5" smaller and just under 20% bodyfat. Yep, it works, but you really have to be strict! Yes, I have stayed dilligent to the point of being "scary" about it. I actually did plan out my meals and portions at first and increased/decreased as needed. Once you get the hang of portions and what your body needs as far as protein/veggies/legumes you don't really have to count calories/measure portions. THOUGH, I do still measure out my proteins sometimes( have a food scale) and my salad dressings.

As far as SCD, my weight DID drop consistently with little exercise from April 2011-July 2011 where it went up slightly (.2 lbs only though). Then it only went up again in December 2011. Recently I've had some weeks where I have either not lost or gained a little, but mostly due to hormonal issues more than anything I was doing diet/exercise wise. So, stick to it and you can lose weight consistently besides the hormonal weeks of the month. yes, I saw changes everyday and sadly I do have the "hanging flesh" it's a constant reminder of how big I was, but I know eventually it will tighten up enough that it doesn't become a problem. It's something you just have to learn to live with and hopefully with time it will get better. I hope I helped you.

Feel free to ask me any other questions you have....I'm almost to my goal of 115 lbs (down from 247 lbs) and I'm really excited to start maintenance and start on my next leg of my new life and new journey! Good Luck to you!

Thanks Erdunn! I'm actually NEARING my 120lb total lost mark. Hope I make it this weekend! Good Luck to you!

Thanks, Kif!

Thanks TeeRaySee!

Akane...I can't see your new photo but AWESOME job girl!!!! So proud of you! I would love to just interview you as all these questions come popping into my head but I'll only ask one question....other than the obvious, what is the biggest change?

Hmm, can't see the pic? odd. can you see the others?

Biggest change is the ability to go into ANY clothing store and pick out clothing that actually looks great on me. Also, another...is just having people call me "Tiny" and "Skinny" It just hasn't registered in my brain yet...ya know? I've been carrying around this weight for over 20 years....it'll take some getting used to.

Ok, TeeRaySee, should be fixed now.

ok, NOW, it is fixed, TeeRaySee! I figured out what was wrong.

So proud of you!!!! just can't wait for the day but notice the difference in the clothing with just the 27 lbs down.

I can see them now...AMAZING!!!!

Thanks Dow!

Thanks, Jessi

Thanks, Carmen! No gimmicks! No drugs! Just following Slow Carb strictly, drinking my water, getting in my 30g of protein in the morning, doing moderate exercise. And it comes off. Not like super super fast, but regularly and that is what counts!

July: Hey, you are looking great, this is almost incredible. Look at you now and look how you were back then... once upon a time : -)

It is a fairy tale!

Yep it is! So happy!

Thanks, Roselyn!

OH definitely! Once you get your metabolism going, it just keeps on going and going and going...don't give up. Everybody is different. What works for me may take longer to work for you or make take you a bit of tweaking to get it to that right balance. Keep it up!! Keep experimenting!

I know you've heard this all before but congrats on your progress! You are truly an inspiration to all of us!

Thanks, Tohamyn! I hope my inspiration will inspire you to get to your goals!! Keep it going!

WoW. At your progress. Way to hang in there.

Thanks! Stay tuned for tomorrow....hoping for a good weigh-in!

Thanks Melanie!

Thanks, Wendy!

Thanks @mountaindazed