Thank you all so much for your support and wonderful comments and emails and even phone calls! I was sitting here a couple of nights ago absorbing your comments with tears in my eyes (happy tears!), knowing that I was not alone and that there were a whole bunch of you out there cheering for me. It's a wonderful feeling and thank you. It means more to me than I can possibly say.
Things are good in Chez Tree right now. The Lexapro seems to have kicked in and I'm feeling better about everything in general.
I was responding to a meme I had done in my other blog and some of my readers over there had called for 'before' and 'after' photos of me.
Since you guys have been supporting me so well here, I thought it only fair I shared them with you too! (Yes, there will be race day frock photos, but the hat won't be ready until Monday, so you'll just have to be a bit more patient!)
But before that, I wanted to share this photo of two gorgeous dames taken during Beckie's recent visit to Melbourne.
No wonder the temperatures skyrocketted while she was here. Two such hot women in one town? Postively dangerous!
Sometimes all it takes is a 'before' and 'after' comparison to realise just how far you've come. This was a bit of a shock to me, but a very pleasant one!
The photo on the left was taken Christmas Day, 2003. The photo on the right was taken Oct 27, 2004. I'm not sure what my weight was in the 'before' picture, but a month and a half later I weighed in at my highest weight ever, so I'm sure I wasn't too far away from 100.6kg (221.7kg) The one on the right is around 22kg (48lb or 88 
) later.
The tracksuit pants on the right are a size 20, the jeans on the left are a loose 16.
Oh, and I have a snazzy new haircut too!
Just for kicks, I tried on the pair of jeans I had to buy at Christmas time because I couldn't fit into any of the pairs I owned at the time (which I've since shrunk out of as well).
I've had family and friends tell me how much I've lost, Beckie thought I was absolutely tiny when she met me and, intellectually, I know I have shrunk because my clothing size has changed. But I'm living in this body day to day and I don't get the external perspective people around me have.
These photos are wonderful validation of how far I've come and just what I can achieve when I put my mind to it. Here's to the next lot of before and after photos!
W.O.W.!!!!!!
Amazing! You DO look tiny!!!!! And you DO look tiny too!!!! Heartfelt congratulations!!!!
Served up by Argyro at 05:55 on 28|10|04
Wow, Tree, that's amazing. I'm gobsmacked. It's great to see all your hard work totally paying off. And the new hair is gorgous. :)
Glad to hear that you're starting to feel better generally, as well. Sorry you've been feeling so crappy. Being able to admit it and ask for help is a very strong thing to do.
Served up by Sally at 06:44 on 28|10|04
Wowseroonie!
First, I LOVE the pic of us regardless of shitty hair day (me not you).
Secondly, what a HUGE change. Let me say that again, with gusto - HUGE!
You are really petite in real life, in stature and I reckon I could fit my hands around your waist, so to see the before pictures, I'm smacked up the gob! *laughs*
Numbers just do not paint the same picture as pictures do they. You're a bloody champ!
*sings Mariah badly* there's a heroooooo, if you look inside your heart...
Served up by Beckie at 07:17 on 28|10|04
Hooray!!! Photos, at last! I've been dying to see some recent ones...and it was worth the wait. You my dear look absolutely stunning. And tiny. And younger!
You're just as gorgeous on the outside as on the inside. I wish I lived in Melbourne so I could give you a big hug and kiss :)
P.S. the new haircut is just FAB, I love it :D
Served up by Kimba at 08:36 on 28|10|04
You are too cute for words, skinny girl. The hair color, the glasses, the hot bod. Woo hoo. Good for you!
Served up by nicole719 at 12:02 on 29|10|04
I can't get over the final pic, with the too-big jeans. WOW. You look phenomenal! :-)
Served up by Beth S. at 12:29 on 29|10|04
Hey, Hot Mama! Whoah! Girlfriend, you look just absolutely luscious!!
Congrads to you! What an inspiration! :)
Served up by quinnlabelle at 05:40 on 29|10|04
Oh my!! Hi there, I really had to say hello and let you know how much of an inspiration you are to me!! WOW! I've been reading you for a while now and really had to come out of the woodwork to congratulate you on how well you have done! Those pictures are awe inspiring!! THANK-YOU THANK-YOU!! You have rekindled my hope that I can do this too!!
Served up by KiwiJanene at 06:48 on 29|10|04
(SPEECHLESS WITH ADMIRATION)
You must be so thrilled, and I'm so thrilled for you. You look BRILLIANT.
So glad you're starting to feel happier too :-)
Looking forward to the Cup frock/hat photos, have a great time swanning around
Served up by LBTEPA at 08:14 on 29|10|04
Thanks for the tip re: evening primrose oil. Im going to give it a go...
Love the before & after pics. Thanks for sharing, you look gorgeous!!
Served up by Kelli at 09:40 on 29|10|04
Tree, you look amazing !!! WOW !!! Congrats to you. I think for your next achievement you deserve some gorgous french perfume and wear it everyday till it has all gone - LUSH. You inspire us all - thanks
Served up by Jacqui at 10:37 on 29|10|04
Wowza - you've gone from Hello Kitty to Foxy Lady!
And that hair is divine! Way to go making me jealous :P
You rule!
Served up by Mia at 10:41 on 29|10|04
do i have to say anything at all? Everyone has summed it up! u r such a cutie! can't wait to see the glammed up cup photos! Have a ball!
Served up by airlie at 06:41 on 29|10|04
Ahhh WOW!! That is just a stunning achievement! Congratulations!! :D
Gorgeous haircut too!
Served up by Stef at 12:54 on 30|10|04
Oh my!!
You look incredible!!
How I envy the success you have worked so hard to earn :)
You seem a different person in the before and after....well done!
So glad I can now put a face to you now...not that the curvaceous spine and bountiful booty in the graphic wasn't nice......lol
:)
Cheers
Paulene
Served up by Paulene at 06:29 on 01|11|04
oh my goooodness!!! this is what i get for taking the links off my blog and then not remembering urls and so then missing out on seeing your pictures! dang! that is faaantastic! you look great! what a difference! dang! love the hair and glasses, btw. yay!
Served up by pam at 12:52 on 18|11|04
You look amazing!! I'm so proud of and encouraged by your journey, your hope, and your commitment to continuing toward health and happiness.
I do have one weird comment though: Since you cut whomever else was in the first photo with you out, that hand on your neck FREAKED ME OUT! I couldn't tell what was happening. Then I figured it out!
Served up by DeAnn at 05:47 on 28|10|04