Had my monthly weigh and measure at the gym on Friday. And we took some “after” photos… well, it isn’t after really, as I am still doing everything I have been so let’s call them “progress” photos!
This shows me in 2002 around the time I was told I was pre-diabetic – I had already lost a bit of weight at the time of the time of the photo; middle was in October 2005 and my weight was documented at 274.6 lbs; and third is Friday at 173 lbs.
We figure I probably maxed out around 375 when I was at my largest… but no weight records exist… but compare the above to this photo taken in 2000, shortly after I arrived in Grande Prairie:
That means I’ve managed to lose about 200 lbs. since moving up here almost 17 years ago.
Initially it was just a change in lifestyle – no more lattes or second breakfasts on the way to work, packing a lunch as going out to buy it wasn’t convenient, jobs with some physical activity involved. Then, a more conscious effort to control my health by cutting out excess sugar, etc. The loss of the first 100 was not a specific diet, just a collection of changes that resulted in the loss over a period of about five years.
Over the next ten years my weight would fluctuate depending on my activity level, which was directly tied to the jobs I had. Working graveyard shift on my feet netted a drop of about 30 lbs over a couple of months. Working in retail also caused weight loss and better fitness levels.
Stress would change my eating habits too, causing weight changes. After Neil died I dropped some, and both times mom was in the hospital I lost quite a bit.
Then since December 2015 when I completely changed my way of eating to Low Carb High Fat to control my diabetes I have lost another 62 lbs. (so far!)
The weight loss has slowed considerably now, which is what I was expecting to happen. I’m now only dropping a couple of pounds a month, rather than the 10 I was losing to start with. With the slower drop I am noticing that some of the loose skin is tightening up a bit and my muscle mass is increasing with going to the gym regularly.
In my photo from Friday I am wearing my size 12 yoga pants and a medium top! That’s pretty exciting for me. I get teased at the gym as I tend to wear oversized (XL men’s sweat pants and 3XL t-shirts!) to workout in, but I have them so I am wearing them until they are ready for the garbage or won’t stay up! I only wear the skinny clothes for measuring days and photo ops!
My regular wardrobe is all new – all old items have been donated, recycled or thrown out. I still need to get a new heavy winter coat for -40C. What I have now are not rated for that, but I wanted to wait until I needed it to make sure I got a nice fitting one. I used to always wear men’s winter gear – this year I am getting women’s!
Shannon Fennell's Blog 
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