You dont know what you got til its gone...

I remember worrying about having a "tummy" when I was at school, and hiding away in baggy clothes. Finally got a bf that convinced me I wasn't fat at all, then started wearing clothes that actually fitted. When I look back now, wow, I had a great figure!

Wow, love the crazy hair pics! How long did it take to get your hair like that? Also, how did you do your highlights in the 3rd pic? I'm halfway tempted to try it myself, but if it's too complicated I am definitely not qualified, lol.

Lol Don't I know it. If I could only return to my "fat college days" lol I'd be so skinny!

@Kirsty & Hillary.. That sis exactly what i am talking about!! I cannot believe I thought for a second that I was fat 10 years ago. LOL. But I did truly believe that (tempoary insanity I guess). It makes me wonder how hard we push ourselves to be perfect (magazine material) only to realize too late that we were our own perfect selves then & now.

@Star L.. Thanks. I was a hairshow model so i didnt do that hairstyle! It trukly didnt take long b/c the back was pretty "blank" Those are braids tied in knots and hairsprayed in a fan pattern. (my hair was to my but, and I think it overwhelmed the stylist. lol) As for the highlights, i woulnt suggest doing them yourself. But asking your stylist for some "peekabo" color/hilights (these are placed under your part so that outgrowth isnt as noticable) they are fun and can be very dramatic, especially w/ the way you style for the day!

@ everyone else.. No pics? I wanna see some of you from a ways back and now!

@heidi D.- I love that hair do!

The 1st is from when I used to model in 2006.

The 2nd is also in 2006 and I can't believe how flat chested I was!!

The third is from summer 2005 after I had just graduated high school

And the last two are last week & a couple months ago w/my hair long

I dont think ive changed tooo much in the past few years.

1. christmas 2006

2.vacation 2007

3.Last weekend with my sister the homecoming queen

Here is a link to a thread I started not too long about then and now pics.

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/nwr-anyone-besides-me-brave-enough-to-post-senior-picture-and-now-pic/4825c2aac87bd434.html

I wrote a private blog about the same thing just a few weeks ago. Wondering how I ever thought I was fat, and kicking myself for not listening to my friends (and not talking to my family) when it was getting really obvious I had a serious problem. Of course I still have issues with my self image, but everyone does to a degree. I just try to remember that being happy is more important than being skinny, and that I'm finally healthy, ya know?

1. Then

2. Now

3. Happy Panda =0D

1. 2005 - before I lost 20-30lbs (honestly, I can't remember where I started from last time...)

2. 2007 - after I lost the 20-30lbs and still thought I needed to lose 20 more!! I looked hot and great. Although my ultimate goal is the same, I would love to be back to this weight. I thought I was still "fat" but I really wasn't. I would kill to have this body back!!

3. Most current. (this is not my dress, but one of the 2 I narrowed it down to...)

@Carmen, I absolutely adore your mantilla veil.

The pic in the purple cape was taken when I was 16 years old. I weighed about 110 pounds--I'm 5'10". That's what I weighed in the second pic, which was taken when I was about 24. I went up to 180, then down to 130, then back to 180, and back to 110 in the meantime. My hubby (now ex) snapped it with his cellphone. When he showed it to me, all I could see were my "huge" arms. I lost 20 pounds after that. The third is most recent--about a year old. I'm proud of being back to 175, after getting to 240. Sigh....

Oh, what would I do to get the body I had at 17!

Thanks Angel! It is pretty fun.

@Zebra~ Wow, You are rockin your bod in every picture! Hope your FH is trained in combat. lol

@Jennifer~ You are so tiny! What definetly didnt change is you look happy in all of the pics.

@Serena~ I will look that over (havent yet) Thanks for the link

@Carmen~ Just WOW!! Your look has changed quite a bit. I hope you know now how gorgeous you are! LOVE love love the pic of you and lil princess!

@Elizabeth Nicole~ Your face looks the same as 5 yeasrs ago! Since you have wonderful skin I think you are pretty blessed I think you look great in that dress!! IDK what the other one looks like but, I think that one is a keeper.

@Miss Michal~ LOVE your hair long (I am partial though) It is soo beautiful, looks very thick! The 2nd pic is a good reality check for me, because I am the same height as you and am always saying "I want to lose X lbs" and that would take me to your 2 pic weight. 3rd pic shows what a wonderful smile you have.

@Oksana~ Dont I know it! lol. Something about children changes where everything sits even if your #s are all the same, your jeans just dont fit right.

@Serena~ That was a very successful and entertaining thread! you had people posting baby shots! How cute Its kinda fun to think we are all on here going through this journey of wedding planning togetehr but, are still at many different stages of life.

@heidi, lol thank you! Although I'm heavier then i was in 05-06. I was only 115. After having two babies & gaining over 40 lbs I had a reality check lol. But I think FH wouldn't have any problem running anyone off just from looks alone (he's a football player/defensive lineman) lol.

First one is 2004 Prom

Second one 2007 Birthday Pics

Third one 2010 from our wedding

1st is me & my oldest daughter in 2003

2nd is me & my youngest in 2009

People always tell me that I have hardly changed--LOL they are sooo right! The only difference is my hair, had HUGE hair in high school!

I thought i was "Fat" in high school !!! i wish i could go back to those FAT days lol

first pic high schoool, the rest are recent pics !