Weight loss & Swimsuit Success!

I'm finally at a size I'm happy with. Its such a strange feeling, and I love it so much. I recently wrote about my weight loss struggles in my advice column, Cattywampus. Updating my before/after pictures was a really awesome experience this time around.





When I went shopping for my birthday dress I honestly had no idea what size I was. I kept grabbing dresses in Large & Medium and they were too big! All of this just weeks after I went out in public in a swimsuit for the first time in years...

I was invited to go to the lake with some friends and I gladly accepted, excited about spending time with some new people and having lots of fun on a boat! The night before, I panicked- wtf had I gotten myself into? Debuting this new thinner body, in a swimsuit, with 3 gay guys and a girl I'd never met!? Oh my. Oh my oh my.

I mean, I liked my swimsuit... well, the top half of it anyhow. I'd bought it when shopping with my grandmother back in June, a gold crochet-style top on a clearance rack at TJ Maxx. No bottoms in sight, but for the first time I really enjoyed the way the top looked on me. I shelled out the $5 and paired it with some bottoms I had, but as I lost weight this summer they started drooping more and more... and what's attractive about droopy swimsuit bottoms? Not a damn thing. I rushed around town looking for a suit that covered more or some bottoms that matched and didn't show too much of my rear end... but no luck at all.



My saving grace turned out to be some words of encouragement from the boyfriend and a lucky find- the bottoms that matched the top at the very same TJ Maxx, for $4. They fit perfectly and looked great... I threw on my floppy hat & my secondhand Banana Republic terry coverup that I just adore, and headed out for a day full of fun.



I didn't anticipate, however, the differences between bottoms that I'd previously worn, and string bikini bottoms. I was quite shocked to find that a good jump off the side of a boat results in a quick and rather embarrassing untying of said bottoms, and baring of one's entire backside. The boys got quite a chuckle out of it.


Got 'em back on now!

The day was wonderful. For the first time in so very long, I relaxed all day long. I sat on the boat and drank beer, got a little bit of a tan, and I got my ass kicked by the lake while inner tubing. I enjoyed myself so much and I felt so comfortable! In a swimsuit! I didn't even freak out when I realized the pictures had been posted on Facebook. All good things.



Now I have to be honest, and I'm not the least bit ashamed to admit that I haven't lost all of this weight without help. And I don't mean that I have an amazing support system, because really I do... but I've been on Phentermine since April. I started taking it in order to lose the last 20-30 lbs I'd had a hard time getting rid of, something I told myself I would do a year ago if I wasn't able to lose it on my own. Losing over 100 lbs is hard, and diet & exercise count for SO much, but I felt comfortable saying "if I hit a plateau and I really give it a shot and can't lose it, I'll try other options" and so I did.

I met with a doctor who worked with weight loss patients, and I asked her if she felt like it was a good choice for me. Usually only prescribed when a patient needs to lose a large amount of weight, Phentermine is an appetite suppressant used ALONG WITH modified diet & exercise. She felt that with my previous success I'd be a good candidate for it, so I started it in April. I've had monthly weight checks and I've been overwhelmingly pleased with my success. At my first appointment in April, I weighed in at 161... I'd gained nearly 20 lbs since my initial drop, and I wasn't pleased at all. My target weight was 130, and last week... a day before my 25th birthday, I weighed in at under 140 lbs for the first time in my adult life.

Hells to the yes.

I'm not saying what I've done is for everyone, in fact, the friend who introduced me to Phentermine and suggested I try it hasn't had as much luck with it as I have. It affects everyone differently, and its no quick fix. The only way to lose weight successfully and keep it off is by a healthy diet & regular exercise. I've never said any of this has been easy, but being here is really a good feeling and its worth every single bit of the work I've put into it. I'm on my last prescription of Phentermine this month, and in a size 6-8. Even now, typing that seems strange... but I'm getting used to it. After battling my weight all my life, I feel like I'm finally where I need to be, and I'll be damned if I let myself go back from here.

If you'd like my tips on weight loss, you can read them here: Cattywampus

For more information, or if you'd like to tell me your story: Email me!