What It Feels Like When You Reach Your Goal

Tammi, age 34, has succeeded in her weight loss goal. She's lost 130 pounds! She was at her heaviest after giving birth at 275 pounds and is  now in the 140's.  Here are close-ups of her face at her heaviest and current weight.

It's not that often people show close-ups of the changes in their face before and after the weight loss so it's neat to see the transformation.

But Tammi also has lots of other great pics of her front view, side view and back view along the weight loss journey. So check them out, they are very inspiring.

Also read her thoughts about what it feels like at 149 versus 275.

No More Need for Comfort Food

Thanks to Gayle for sending in these pics and story!

Every year I was getting bigger. Snacking was an entertainment and comfort to me. But then I would get bigger and go to food for more comfort. Well, you get the idea!

My small frame was putting on the pounds and I was getting increasingly uncomfortable, both physically and emotionally, from how my body was changing.

Then I was introduced to Weigh Down Ministries' weight-loss classes, The Weigh Down Diet book, and the Rise Above book, all by the program's founder, Gwen Shamblin. I love these resources, and Weigh Down Ministries makes them so affordable - some are even free: weighdown.com and remnantfellowship.tv! They are full of common sense and heart-changing examples that showed me how to stop running to food for comfort. It made so much sense! I put it into practice, and the weight started coming off immediately.

I continue today in what I have learned: how to eat like a thin eater, satisfied and not controlled by any longing for food. My weight has been steady for over 10 years... and this is my high school weight! No diet foods in this program; I get to eat regular foods. Also, I am very active; but there is no regimented work-out program here. No more depression; but so much JOY!

I started to change by applying Weigh Down principles when I was 46, and now at 59 I feel so young! I LOVE sharing this with others, because it changed my life in so many wonderful ways!

Weight Loss After Personal Crisis

Thanks to Jason for sending in these pics and story!

I was 288 lbs at my heaviest after years of being lazy in a bad marriage. A divorce and my fathers death triggered a chain reaction that led me to a healthier life style. Eight months in the gym, 6 to 7 meals a day with a proper nutrition led has put me at my current weight of 218lbs!!

I'm not finished yet. I'm concentrating more on body fat % then weight. I started above 35% and I'm down to 15% now. I'm shooting for 9% body fat at around 205lbs.

From Obese to Extremely Fit

Randall weighed 270 pounds when he decided to get in shape. One and a half years later he was extremely fit and participating in an Ironman competition. 
Thanks much for sharing this!


Hi Isadora!

I made this video just for my friends, family, and relatives as a reminder that it's never too late and anything no matter how difficult is possible if you believe. I'd like to share it hoping it would help other people believe in themselves as well and lead towards a healthier and happier lifestyle.

For me, I can still remember like it was yesterday 270 lbs I attempted to run not even 1/4 of a mile I was winded down like I was going to have a heart attack and every car was stopping asking if I needed a ride. A year and a half year later I was treading water in Ironman Cozumel about to embark on a 140.6 mile journey, smiling and thinking to myself how I enjoyed everything along the way.

One Very Successful Year of Weight Loss

 Megan Marquez and her husband lost a combined 174 pounds in one year. The first photo here was taken at Christmas in 2010 and the lower photo is from Christmas 2011. Thanks much for sending in your story!

Good Morning,

My name is Megan Marquez.  I have been morbidly obese since I was a teenager (I�m 36 now).  My husband and I have been married for 16 years.  We have two amazing, young children.  We decided to finally take control of our weight for our children�s sake and for our own health.  We did not use any pills, tricks, concoctions or fads.  For the first time in our adult lives, we simply did what every doctor tells their patients to do; maintain a better diet and get regular exercise.

We started slowly, cutting out junk food completely and taking short walks.  We both used an app on our phones to log our food intake every day.  As the weight started coming off, we increased our exercise.  I now use an elliptical machine every evening for 30 minutes.  I couldn�t have done 2 minutes in 2010. 

It has been an unbelievable year of weight loss and personal growth.  Combined, my husband and I lost about 174 pounds in 2011.  We are continuing our new lifestyle into 2012.  We both feel and look substantially better.  We had the greatest support of our families and co-workers.  My weight loss caused two co-workers to also improve their diets.  For the first time in my adult life, I am able to shop at non-plus size stores.  Our young children are very proud of us.  What a great feeling!

The reason I am contacting you is that I truly believe changing your life is in your own hands with real support.  I promise, if we can do it, anyone can.   

Electric Bikes and Weight Loss Success

Traci Brown is a coach with Optibike. This pricey electric bike (costing about $10,000), "the Ferrari of electric bikes", is hand-made in Boulder, Colorado. Traci sent in the following story about one of her clients. 

Bob Brewer was a regular guy. He spent his life building a successful family business. The money was good and all the perks that came with it were even better. Then at 53 he found himself overweight. Way overweight. And diabetic. He was 5�7� and 270lbs. The doctor called him �morbidly obese�.That�s when the fear set in.

A young death just wasn�t an option for Bob.  So what�s a guy to do?  A little exercise for a few days wasn�t going to fix the problem.  An entire lifestyle shift was in order.  But it sounded so hard.

That�s when Bob joined the Optibike weight loss challenge with coach Traci Brown.  It�s a year long coached lifestyle and fitness program.  Community is created around the enthusiasm for weight loss and cycling.  And Optibikes are electric. They give you a push when you need it. And you still get a great workout.

Bob found the fun in community and started riding his bike every day.  He followed the program:  Riding every day with a specific plan, walking if he couldn�t ride,  eating lower carbs, less meat and more fish,  cutting out soft drinks and alcohol.  As a matter of fact, Bob has only had water to drink for a year.

What about the results?  Bob�s lost 87lbs and he�s still going.  He�s exercising every day, riding his Optibike or walking, and totally off all medications.  He�s excited about life and he still hasn�t had anything to drink but water.  And all this happened because he decided to save his own life with the Optibike Weight Loss Challenge.

Losing 80 Pounds in Eight Months

Maria weighed 210 pounds eight months ago. She is 5'4" tall. A Zumba class inspired her to start her weight loss journey and now she feels fantastic at 128 pounds. Thanks much for sending in your story!

Hi, my name is Maria.  I am 40 years old and I am a Physical Therapist Assistant. I live in Wilkes Barre, PA. My before weight was 210 pounds and my after weight is 128 pounds, I am 5'4". 


In April of 2011 my friend asked me to go try out a Zumba class which I was reluctant to do but after she persuaded me to go I immediately fell in love with it, I was going 3 days of week. 


Towards the end of April the instructor opened her own studio and started offering more classes, at that time I decided that was it, I was sick of my weight and wanted to lose full force, I went on my own diet with an app on my phone counting calories(1200 calories a day). 


Jessica Sands, the owner of the studio S.W.E.A.T. Fitness Studio, helped me in every sense of my weight journey answering questions I had on food decisions, what classes to take, etc. I really owe it all to her for being my inspiration in this past 8 months, even though she will say it was all me. I am totally in love with eating right and exercising all the time, I take as many classes as I can, sometimes 1-3 classes a day, every day of the week. So after 8 months of losing 72 pounds and dropping from a size 16 to a size 2, meeting the most amazing people ever, and developing friendships I feel will last a lifetime, I am the happiest ever in my life. 


I finally feel good about the way I look and feel. My husband, Jim, of 18 years and my children, Patrick, 17, and Katie, 13, are very supportive in my new way of life, and I wouldn't be able to do any of this without them either. I am very thankful every day that Jessica took the courage and many pitfalls, even surviving through a flood, to keep her studio open to give me a second home to go to every day to achieve my goal. I LOVE S.W.E.A.T. FITNESS STUDIO, ALL THE INSTRUCTORS, AND ALL THE FRIENDS I HAVE MADE ALONG THE WAY!!!!