Smocking and Stitches: Weight Loss, Motivation, and Lifestyle Changes

It wasn't a New Year's resolution, per se. It was a lifestyle change that happened to coincide with the new year. I used to be in GREAT shape. I was a size 12 (which for my body, was an excellent size) to a size 14. I looked good, I had curves in the right places and I was proud of myself. I wasn't ashamed to show my body off and I was healthy. Unfortunately, life happened. I gained weight and I haven't been able to get it off. Well, I have decided to take control of my life and I have decided it is time to stop all this. So, I am going to post pics of my progress and I am going to document my lifestyle change on my blog. I will ONLY advocate healthy weight loss on my blog. That means, exercise within reason, diet changes within reason, and a healthy body shape. I know I will never be model thin, but you know what, I will be healthy. That is the most important thing. This isn't about hating my body or hating how I look now. I love myself and I'm pretty danged awesome. This is about my health and me taking control of it. I was diagnosed with PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycystic_ovarian_syndrome) in 2002 and I have fought my weight ever since. I have a family history of diabetes, heart disease, strokes, vascular issues, and cancer. The deck is pretty much stacked against me. I want to head as much of this off at the pass as I can. If I can just be healthy, that is enough.

So, here are the measurements for my body:
Before Measurements:
Bust: 46"
Ribs: 40"
Waist: 42"
Hips: 50"
Thigh (R): 27"
(L): 27"
Bicep (R): 16"
(L): 16"
Neck: 16.5"

Before Pics: