My main focus was on portion control. I knew I could eat whatever I wanted, but I would have to be careful of my portions and make my best estimate as to the calories I was eating. I wasn't too concerned about going over my typical number of calories--one week of going over wasn't going to cause TOO much damage--but I didn't want to turn the whole week into a big food fest, either.
I did end up going over on most days, and my average calorie intake was 1721 (rather than the 1500-ish that it usually is). I was really hoping not to gain weight, but I wouldn't have minded just maintaining this week, either. Anyway, I was very happy to see a loss on the scale this morning!
I was 138.5, so that means I lost a pound from last week. My body fat percentage was 24.3, so it was down by 0.7% from last week. Waist measurement was 26, which was down by 0.25 inches. Woot!
I'm thrilled with that. I was able to indulge in food and drinks while a friend was visiting, but not go completely overboard and gain 10 pounds. It wasn't easy, because there were several times where I just wanted to eat more than necessary, but I knew that eating half of a huge sandwich was just as satisfying to my tastebuds as eating the whole thing ;)
Yesterday, Jerry and I went to Catherine Kellie Studios to look at my boudoir photos. I was actually more nervous about viewing the photos than I was for the photo shoot itself! I think it was kind of like walking into your own surprise party--everyone is waiting for your reaction, and you don't want to give the wrong one. Does that make sense? I had no idea what to expect, so I just hoped that I liked the pictures.
Catherine set up a slideshow of all 70 photos, and then told us we could go through and rate them. I was stunned when I saw the slideshow! The pictures looked absolutely amazing. Catherine said she didn't do much editing (as far as my "imperfections" go) because she didn't think I needed much. It made me a little nervous when she said that, because I was expecting to see glaring stretch marks and loose skin; but she did a lot with positioning my body and angling the camera in a way to hide the areas that make me self-conscious.
In looking through the photos, I could see a hint of my stretch marks on some, and while Catherine would have edited them out had I asked her to, I decided to leave them as they were. The stretch marks are a part of ME, and without them, it wouldn't really feel like me in the photos. I'm glad they aren't glaringly obvious, but I'm also glad that I chose not to eliminate them completely.
I would love to be able to share all my photos here, but I don't feel comfortable with them being online for the world to see, so I'll just share a couple of the modest ones. Jerry LOVES Star Wars, and I found this R2D2 corset at a Halloween store, so I thought it would be fun to do a couple of pictures with it as a surprise for Jerry. Dressing as R2D2 isn't exactly "sexy", but somehow, it looks very cute ;)

Here is another "cute" picture that isn't too revealing (this was actually one of my very favorite pictures):

And finally, here is a picture that I thought was just gorgeous:

Those are the only ones I feel comfortable sharing online--hope you understand! Jerry was THRILLED with the pictures, of course; but more than anything, I am so glad that I did this photo shoot because it made me feel really good about myself. I'd never actually felt "sexy" in my life (Jerry always says I am, but I feel silly when I try to be sexy).
When I was obese, I never felt feminine, either. I wanted to be girly, but being heavier than my husband, I just didn't feel it. When I lost the weight, I vowed to be more girly by painting my toenails, wearing form-fitting clothes instead of boxy ones, and things like that. This boudoir photo shoot, however, made me feel beautiful, sexy, girly, and powerful. Looking at my photos, I am very proud of my body, and I'm so glad that I have pictures to remind me of that feeling, should I ever forget it!

You look beautiful! Love the pictures, thanks for sharing what you could!
ReplyDeleteYou look gorgeous!!! You've worked so hard and it shows!
ReplyDeleteOh my God Katie you look gorgeous!!!! You are gorgeous but wow!! Those pictures are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing some with us. The second one is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteDamn girl! I'm so glad you stepped out of your comfort zone to do this shoot...for yourself, yes, but also because it shows me that taking a risk, while scary, can have a really great outcome. You're gorgeous everyday Katie, but what makes these pictures truly amazing is that you just look so confident. You have this "yea I know I'm sexy" look and it's amazing! I've thought about doing this before but have always convinced myself that I'd do it when I've gotten to my goal weight but you may have just convinced me to bite the bullet now. Amazing pics, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh my God Katie you look gorgeous!!!! You are gorgeous but wow!! Those pictures are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing some with us. The second one is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteYou look SO beautiful in your pictures! And I am super jelly of that R2-D2 corset!
ReplyDeleteThe three pictures are so different, yet totally fit your personality (as we've come to know it from your blog). Congratulations on doing the photo shoot. That last picture is simply stunning!
ReplyDelete-Martine
Those pictures (especially the last one) are stunning! I'm so glad you found the courage to do it because they will be awesome to look back on as time moves on. Thanks for keeping the weekly weigh-ins going. They are helping me to stay focused. I have been on the struggle bus with my weight. The last time I was here 3 weeks ago I was 148.2 and I am that again today. Down 7 since I started on 9/8/15. I had a strange 2 pound spike after a long run, was able to get that off, did "see" 147.6 for two seconds and then back into the 149 range. However, I call it a win because I didn't give up. I had two long weekends of travel and I still am not able to do great with food when I am not home. I think that might have been the cause of not losing these last few weeks. My goal is to see 146 by Thanksgiving. It should be manageable. Belle P.S. I'm hoping as you reach maintenance phase you will start putting a lot in your posts about maintaining because this is where I usually fail.
ReplyDeleteTo echo what everyone has said, the photos are beautiful. I always thought I might do this when I lose a few more pounds but you've made me think - what am I really waiting for?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on another weekly weight loss1 Just wondering if you think the 1700 calorie range might be a good range for you now considering you still lost weight in that range?
Also - you should consider signing up for one of the Star Wars runDisney races with Jerry. I did the Rebel Challenge earlier this year at Disneyland - best race ever, tons of fun.
You look gorgeous but my favorite part was that YOU thought you looked gorgeous. <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteI like that you left the stretch marks. We don't have to be PERFECT and unmarked to be beautiful.
Beautiful! The pictures look great! And great job on staying on track while having company over! That's hard to :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos! You should be really proud of yourself!
ReplyDeleteYou are just cool as anything, Katie! You look amazing and I'm kind of intimidated by how awesome you are.
ReplyDeleteYour pics look amazing Katie! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou look fantastic and tiny! I understand not showing the rest of the pictures...1) they're for you and Jerry, and 2) I wouldn't be brave enough to show any pictures of me (if I was ever brave enough to even get the photos in the first place). Your last picture looks like a movie star shot or a picture in a fashion magazine - wowza!
ReplyDeleteKatie these are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOne day will you post your meals for a typical day on calorie counting?
ReplyDeleteWow, the photos are stunning! Looks like you're gonna have a hard time deciding which pictures to buy and frame. The last one could be used for a hair commercial, totally awesome. And kudos on losing while entertaining a house guest, hard to do, but then again, you ARE Katie! ~ Janet
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 1 pound loss! That's awesome. And your pictures are gorgeous and definitely girly. You're beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI've always thought you were gorgeous, but dayummm girl! Those pics are amazing! After reading your post, I went ahead and found a groupon deal for a boudoir photographer near me! I'm not at my 'goal' weight, but I'm at a comfortable weight...now I just have to book it. I'm thinking of keeping it a secret from my hubby, until it's done! (but I'm horrible at keeping secrets, so we'll see:) )
ReplyDeleteI wonder what one of those boudoir places could do with a 65-year old woman with incredible loose skin and stretch marks. Might be fun to see. But first--I've got to lose these 50+ lbs. I've regained. Your pictures are stunning, just as I expected. Have you read the letter going around on Social Media about the man who wrote a letter to the person who photographed his wife, using Photoshop to erase all her stretch marks and wrinkles? http://kgor.iheart.com/onair/greg-thunder-56328/husbands-letter-to-wifes-boudoir-photographer-14047854/
ReplyDeleteHe said that although the pictures were beautiful, he thought his wife's "imperfections" were also beautiful because they represented all the life they had lived together: children, laughter, tears, etc. I think we all need to remember that our husbands have loved us through thick and thin, and will continue to love us no matter what. That is a great gift, somewhat rare I think, and we shouldn't take it for granted!
I will consider some boudoir shots of my own, perhaps it will serve as another incentive to lose this weight.
You are so pretty :) The last picture is absolutely stunning! I bet your hubby was thrilled. I've been planning to do boudoir shoot when I reach my goal weight (or at least when I feel comfortable enough to do it.)
ReplyDeleteSTUNNING PICTURES! So glad you did them.
ReplyDeleteWOW!! Those came out amazing!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing job on your weight loss for the week, and I LOVE your photos! Seriously, you are gorgeous! My husband would love the Star Wars lingerie, too. Haha! Awesome post, Katie!
ReplyDeleteYou look fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteYou look absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing the photos with us, it sounds like such a positive experience - maybe I'll do it myself one day.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the R2D2 get up is awesome, he's my fave character & I bet my fiance would love the outfit too!
I try to post every once in awhile though my blog names changed, I usually start with how I've read you since open diary. I struggle with weight so much but have finally found my "click" . So as many times as I've started over I hope this is the last. Thanks for the inspiration. Love your beautiful pics. Tamie
ReplyDeleteThose photos are great - you look like a 1930's movie star in the last one! Thank you for being such an awesome role model with your honesty.
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are amazing!!!
ReplyDelete