"Enough" of a Photo Comparison

Why I decided to take and post pics today, with no makeup and a shiny face is a little beyond me, but I did - so, here they are.

I always love looking at other people's progress pics - I can see the changes and love to scrutinize the side-by-side comparisons. But when it comes to my own, I loathe them. It's not that I don't like to post photos of myself - I don't even flinch from posting particularly unflattering ones - it's just that the "before" and "after" never seem like enough in mine. I realize this "not enough" feeling is a theme in my life that I'm still working through. So for today, I decided that these were enough for me.

You can click on any of them to see a bigger version (if you're feeling particularly brave). I see the biggest changes in my chin(s) and in my "butt shelf". (And - sadly - my shrinking boobs). I've had to give a bunch of clothes away and am firmly into a size 24 Lands' End/Eddie Bauer (which to me are a size smaller than Lane Bryant's 24 - at LB, I'm a 22ish now). I also like the way my shirts sit better.

I need to sit with this and let it be enough for now. I need to celebrate the steps and the long hard work along the way.

It's a little hard to see, but the right is "now" and the left is "then". From these two photos, there's a change of 41.5 pounds. My "total loss" right now is about 53 pounds (my highest pre-Band weight was 312 on 1/07).

Some progress pics: