You never really know WHERE you’ll lose weight until you lose it. When I was 250 pounds and trying to lose 100 pounds I never really imagined what I would look like after I lost the weight. Sure, some people say “visualize” to motivate. But I honestly could not imagine in my mind what I would look like “After.”
As I lost weight slowly my body started to change. The last place I lost weight was my stomach (of course). There were surprises as well: my feet got smaller. I also lost inches in my fingers. It makes sense of course but it never occurred to me that my fingers would get skinnier too.
I used to be that girl that wore rings.
I wore at least two rings on each hand every single day. I loved rings. I collected pretty ones wherever I went. For example, this ring I bought at my very first Renaissance Faire:
That was one I wore every day. Now look how it fits:
It doesn’t even fit on other fingers. This next ring is an heirloom from my Grandma. Yellow gold with emerald. I don’t wear yellow gold but I love this ring and really wish it fit. I’ve thought about spending the money to get it resized.
This malachite ring I’ve had since I was 15 or so and love it as well. I’d also get it resized (if that’s possible with the design) so it fit again.
This ring I bought on a road trip to San Francisco. I bought it at a Tibetan store in Berkeley.
SF - 2003?
I cannot part with these rings. I really wish that they fit.
Rachel and Me, Montana 2002?
When I was at Fred Meyer today grabbing groceries for the week I stopped in at Fred Meyer Jewelers to see what size I am now. I’m either 5 3/4 or a size 6. The size 6 fit pretty well but I think the 5 3/4 might be better (he didn’t have that smaller size for me to try though). I tried on a few rings they had but didn’t see anything that really struck my fancy. I decided that I would reward myself for losing 100 pounds and keeping it off by buying myself a ring that I can wear every day. It’s silly to wait because it’s not like I’m worried about gaining the weight back. It’s also time to get my favorite rings resized and start wearing them again.
QUESTION: When you reached goal weight did you reward yourself with something you really wanted? What was it?
Brie @ Brie Fit
I never reached my goal weight, because I didn’t realize when I started out that my goal weight was waaay ambitious and unrealistic. I did buy myself small rewards every 10 pounds or so though.
I was shocked that I lost a lot of weight from my feet, apparently. I went down a whole shoe size going from 200 to 150 pounds. I’m still hanging on to some gorgeous heels that no longer fit…I wish I could get them sized like rings!
(Also, have you looked for a temporary sizer thing? I know they have plastic ones you can slip on and off your rings so they fit–I looked into them after I lost weight, too.)
Lisa Eirene
That is so funny that you lost a shoe size too! I had NO idea that would happen and was shocked when it did.
I haven’t heard of temporary ring sizers but that’s a great idea. Thanks!
yasmine
wow!!! your story is so insirational!! your awsome!
Yas x
http://mypurplegrape.com
Shrinking mommy of 2
I still am wanting to lose a little more weight so I haven’t reach goal but the ring story is so close to me. I had to stop wearing my wedding ring because it was falling off. This past summer I got it resized and have been wearing it ever since (by the way…it is getting bigger again!)
I bought some ring thing from walmart to make it fit better.
Lisa @ I'm an Okie
I’ve never lost so much weight that things like fingers changed. But wow, those pictures of how loose your rings are really demonstrate how far you’ve come and the work you put it into it.
Lisa Eirene
I know! It’s hard to imagine those used fit!
Regan
I haven’t reached my goal yet. In fact, I don’t know that I really even have a goal weight. I think I will know that I have reached my goal when I get there.
I didn’t realize that you could lose weight in your feet until last week. I tried on a pair of shoes that I haven’t worn in a while. The last time I wore them, I was probably 207 or so. Even 17 pounds will make a difference with shoes.
Do you have ideas for small rewards along the way? I think that is a better start. I do think that I would eventually like to get down to my (non-set) goal and buy an anniversary band to wear when I don’t feel comfortable wearing my entire engagement/wedding set.
C.
I’m not to goal yet, but after losing a little over 100lbs, I have to use “ring gaurds” on my wedding rings. They are a size 8 and I now wear a 6. I still have about 60lbs to goal, and I will get them sized then. I also lost a shoe size, suprised the hell out of me. It’s a good thing.
Congrats on your success.
When I do reach my goal weight I have plans for a tattoo…
Rachel
I reward myself every 10 pounds lost, to keep myself motivated. Some of my rewards for my first 70 pounds lost (have been stuck for awhile now š ) were new running shoes, a magazine subscription, a cd, a dvd, and some other little things. My gift to myself when I’m done losing weight, will be a pair of Lucky jeans in my new size. š
PS. If you’re looking for a new ring, go to the Shane company, i had the most fun ever there buying myself a ring about 3 years ago.
Lisa Eirene
Those are great treats for success! I’d also reward myself with clothes.
Carbzilla
Wow, what a fun way to measure your changes. I LOVE tha malachite one. You should definitely have that one resized.
Fortunately, my engagement ring still fit even when I’d gained 30 lbs. I don’t know what size me new anniversary band is but it’s smaller than what I thought I’d wear.
Lori Lynn
I’ve had several people comment that they think I look ‘taller’ since losing weight. I’m not sure that I have, but I suppose with feeling better, I tend to carry myself “straighter” than I used to. I’m not quite to my goal weight, still trying to lose some weight in my stomach and hips, but I’ll probably reward myself with some new jeans!
rae
You continue to inspire me as I slip off the trail to reach my goal. Thanks for sharing so much you are truly making a difference in my life.
Lisa Eirene
Oh Rae you’re not slipping! You had a beautiful baby girl. Give yourself some slack! By the way it’s been way too long since you posted photos of her. š
Sugarmagnolia70
I say treat yourself to a new ring (or more!). You totally deserve it. And perhaps put the other rings on a chain and wear them all together around your neck!
blackhuff
I’m also going to do a post like this on my blog in this week because I want to show everybody how much weight I lost in my fingers. And how it starts to get impossible to wear my wedding ring š
Lisa Eirene
Do it! It’s surprising, isn’t it?
Miz
I remember like it was yesterday and still am amazed it was 17 years ago.
A NEW SUIT
an INTERVIEW SUIT
one.that.fit.
Lisa Eirene
That’s a good purchase to reward yourself with!
Emily
I haven’t hit goal yet, but when I do, for some reason I’m obsessed with getting a tattoo of my starting weight. A physical representation to never forget where I came from.
Lisa Eirene
Wow Emmie that’s such a cool idea! I have a few tattoos and I thought of getting one to celebrate my loss but I wasn’t sure WHAT to get…
Kristie
I had taken my wedding ring off when we were on a summer camping trip and my fingers where so swollen. I had to to work very hard to get it off and was afraid I was going to have to have it cut off. I put it up in a drawer as too small. My husband would complain that I didn’t wear it anymore, I would try to put it on it was definitely too small ( a size 81/2), somewhere along my weight loss journey I put in on and it was too big! I could not believe, falling off too big! I ended up getting a new ring and having it sized to a 6. Unbelieveable.
Lisa Eirene
Kristie- that’s a wonderful story! What a nice surprise to find the ring much too big!
Diana P.
I haven’t reached my goal yet, but my husband and I have decided that when I reach my goal weight, we’re going to spend a weekend shopping at some great outlet malls to buy me a whole new wardrobe (you know, since all my other clothes won’t fit)! Each pound I lose, I get to put $10 in my clothing fund– I’ll have nearly $1000 to spend when I’m done!! I’m super excited…what girl ever gets a chance to completely redo her wardrobe?!? š
Lisa Eirene
That’s a really cool way to celebrate reaching goal! Good for you!