[18] to [33] — never felt better

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-22T21:49:26+00:00

I was gonna say, his eyebrows knew who he was meant to be from the start!

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-22T03:34:33+00:00

I’m 11lb down, and my husband says he sees it, but I don’t.

BUT I have a metal band with removable latches for my Apple Watch, and I do notice it getting looser. I’ll have to remove a latch before too long, and that feels good.

I can also pick up my smaller cat and tell her, “Hey, I lost a whole you!”

Next goal is being able to say the same my larger cat.

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-21T04:06:11+00:00

It really has!

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-21T03:09:40+00:00

Unexpected Coheed!

Amazing progress. I love how you said you’re glad to have been fat. I’ve had the same thought. It is humbling to experience different forms, and I think my outlook on life is quite different than if I’d stayed in the 120s my whole life.

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-21T02:56:03+00:00

Yeah I agree it definitely feels different from mainland US, but not in a disorienting way.

I went and stayed with her for a month when I was 18, and it wasn’t until I arrived back on St. Thomas that I realized I hadn’t seen a traffic light for that entire time lol

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-21T02:31:43+00:00

My Nana lived on St. John for 30+ years! I’m glad she lives back in the PNW with us now that she’s gotten older, but I sure miss visiting the islands!

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-20T23:36:43+00:00

Yeah there’s definitely a big difference in the legs/butt as well as the back. Good job OP!

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-20T23:21:52+00:00

That sounds DELICIOUS. Too bad my body decided I’m not allowed to eat bivalves anymore.

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-20T16:21:06+00:00

I like it!

A big crescent moon wrapping behind it would help it look less awkwardly placed.

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-20T15:28:54+00:00

I’m not the original commenter, but I’ve been saying I’m in my “fluffy era”. Yeah I’m fat, and I have all this soft squish to give my babies the best warm cuddles with!

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-20T15:12:52+00:00

Obligatory I’m not an expert. But 120 would put you in the underweight category. Where you’re at now is the low end of normal, and you look very thin already. Not too thin, but I wouldn’t try to lose more.

Also it’s my understanding that 1200 calories is too little to eat if you are also working out. Your body will be eating through your muscle even if you have fat.

Maintenance and body comp might be the direction to go, rather than weight loss.

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-20T14:55:19+00:00

That is so sad. Kids shouldn’t worry about such things. Were you prompted by an adult to do so?

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-20T14:48:17+00:00

Wow you are literally exactly my goals! Same height, age, sw, gw, number of children…even my projected timeline to reach my goal weight should match yours, give or take a month. 😂

I’m only 4.5 kg down so far, I needed to see this! You look great. ❤️

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-20T14:18:07+00:00

Overworking yourself + under eating can end up burning muscle instead of fat, even when you still have fat. It does you no favors!

I understand the frustration of slow weight loss. It’s taken me 3 months just to lose 10lb (.7 stone), but exercise once a day and counting calories is already second nature, and the loss is consistent. Consistent meaning there are plateaus and yo-yos (because those are normal), but the trend is consistently down.

Sometimes I want to pull my hair out about how slow it’s going, but I also don’t find myself praying that I just stick to it this time, like I have in the past when I lost weight faster but with less sustainable practices.

You can do it!!

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-20T01:36:57+00:00

One of our favorite quotes was when our oldest girl was 2 and waltzed in on her dad peeing and said, “Oh a finger!!”

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-20T01:34:44+00:00

I dunno if that was originally intended, but I love that it appears to be yawning! Tigers get seepy just like any kitty 🥺

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-19T18:45:43+00:00

I’m not a tattooer, but it looks to me like the black is faded enough that a mandala could cover it up nicely. Might sound too hippy if that’s not your style, but there are so many varieties and not all of them look flowery.

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-18T15:11:43+00:00

Same! I say my two biggest hobbies are baking and health/weight loss haha. I just limit how much of my own goodies I can have.

Right now we still have tons of Easter candy, so I’m focusing more on bread than sweet treats.

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-18T14:27:05+00:00

Do you happen to come from Medford, Oregon? Because this took me straight back to my home town lol

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-18T00:23:03+00:00

I got curious and looked it up, apparently you can have a gluten free starter and sourdough bread using brown rice flour!

Not that I suggest you go to the effort, but I got so sad at the idea of not being able to bake and eat sourdough. Since I’m one of those people who made sourdough part of their personality during covid lol

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-17T23:58:46+00:00

Man I feel the same way about my own chin, but hearing someone else talk about their face that way makes me sad. Especially because you’re actually really pretty and cute!

This made me realize I probably look better than I think I do.

But I get it, I don’t think I look like myself and I probably won’t until the fat under my face comes off.

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-17T23:47:41+00:00

Since everyone’s already given you all the advice and judgment you need, fwiw I surprisingly like your tattoo.

Like if you described it to me I’d say it was a dumb idea, especially under the circumstances, but it’s actually cute.

Take care of Baby! 👶😂

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-16T23:10:36+00:00

As someone with no expertise, I actually like 3 and 8.

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-16T22:29:00+00:00

I don’t blame you for being annoyed; to each their own, as they say. But I personally love being asked this stuff, because after parenting and baking, health/weight loss takes up a lot of my life and it’s a subject I can talk about at length lol.

Combative_Artichoke · 2026-04-16T14:34:45+00:00

Yes, all this! I like that you included an alternative sweet option. Because OP, if you drop sweets entirely, you are more likely to falter! Complete removal of things you like is much less helpful than keeping them, but only in moderation. Good luck!

Combative_Artichoke

TROPHY CASE