Let’s face it. I’m fat. But I’m ready for a change.
I’m too damn fat. You heard me. I’m fat.
I’ve been sportin’ the ol’ tire tube around the middle for quite some time now.
But after years of wallowing in self-pitty about my body image, I’m ready to lose the pounds.
(“before” picture)
I’m ready to NOT look like this ever again.
Have you ever wondered why I don’t show you pictures of me very often? Because I’m fat. And I’m embarrassed. And I’m afraid you won’t like me anymore. Case in point:
Yup, I’m ready for a change.
Here’s another recent “before” (current) picture of me:
I’m so excited about starting a new diet! And I’m even more excited to share my progress as I go.
So, anyone want to join me? It would be fun to have a group of women all blogging about their weight loss together.
(Yet another “before” photo).
I’m so ready to be the smokin’ hot momma I’ve always known I can be. Wish me luck!
Edited to add:
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Welcome to House of Hepworths! HoH is primarily a Home Blog that specializes in DIY projects and renovations, crafts, and decorating. My name is Allison. My family and I live in Austin, Texas. I'm married to Ben and have two children, a 10 year old son and an almost-8 year old daughter. To find out more or to contact me click 
Congratulations on your life changing journey! I’m excited to see the progress. Along with being a wannbe crafter, I am a personal fitness trainer & I love seeing people get their health, confidence & sparkle back. My advice is; Be sure to focus on inches & body fat % lost & don’t focus too much on the number on the scale. Of course you’ll lose pounds but don’t let that number discourage you if it doesn’t seem to be dropping as quickly as you’d like, Good luck! I’m so happy for you.
~Mary
http://www.thecraftygals.blogspot.com
You are so brave to write this post! I don’t post pics of myself very often for the same reason and I need to do something about it. You are inspiring me to take action as well!! I need to tap into my willpower and self-discipline. Thanks so much for writing this post.! Angie xo
you go girl, i am too! and i’m gonna start a new program on sunday. good luck. xx
Hey girl, I am def in as far as getting in shape. I’ve seen this Cinch kit, BUT, am so not the diet kind of gal, neither do I do well with powders, supplements, bars, etc, I LOVE real food, WAY TO MUCH, which is why I prob never lose weight. Never the less, I am TOTALLY determined. I will be happy to follow along, and wish you ALL the best, getting in shape is one of the hardest things ever for me.
I’m so happy for you, and I have a feeling that you will DO GREAT, blogging has a way to keep us going hugh, now that you put yourself out there, you kind of have to go thru with it, lol.
Hugs,
Bella
Congrats and best wishes on your journey! I wish I could join in but everytime I mention weight loss or exercise I get the HUGE groan and people tell me get over it. For me its not the weight thats an issue I need to feel that I am fit and can handle running after my todler. Cant wait to see your progress!!!
I wish you the best of luck in your weight loss quest. I really need to lose weight and get in shape this year as well. We are in the middle of a kitchen reno and my weight and cholesterol have gone through the roof with all the eating out we have been doing. As soon as it is done, I plan on starting my weight loss program. I will be cheering you on as you reach your goal.:-)
Oh honey, I feel your pain. I would love to try this program with you, but I will have to wait until the funds allow it. Please keep us updated on how well you kick fats butt! =)
Girl! Don’t I know it!! I weigh more now then I did when I was 9 months pregnant with my daughter who happens to be almost 3;( say WHAT!?! So, I am doing the “Win Loose or Blog” challenge and just eating less and exercising more. So, far I Have lost 11 lbs. I count my calories like a mad women and I stuff my face with vegetables and fruit. I am interested to see how this goes for you. I wish you the loss of all thunder thighs and spare tires !
Now I *heart* you even more, because I’m just like you…with the spare tire…and needing to lose, etc. I feel your pain.
Why do you think that there are hardly any pictures of me on my blog? the “current” one I have is from the waist up ONLY, and then there’s our wedding photo…from 13+ years and 40 pounds ago…yikes!!!!
Way to go girl!! I’ve heard blogging (and making your challenge known to THE WORLD) helps keep people motivated. I just had a baby 3 months ago and am getting really sick of the chubbo baby weight so I am needing to kick my butt in gear. But just wanted you to know you are a very beautiful woman. Don’t be ashamed and not put pictures up! Hope the Cinche works for you and you feel good with the results!! Good luck!
@ Laurie (Handy Man, Crafty Woman),
I’d love to post more pictures of me so you guys can feel like you “know” me even better, but I’ve just been so self-conscious about my body that I end up with no good pictures ever, unless they are the chest up! Maybe we all will lose some weight this year! Wouldn’t that be great?! Bloggers unite and drop the fat.
PS I like you too!
@Tia,
Ya, I’ve been getting up the nerve for months to blog publicly about my weight so that it keeps me motivated to lose it! It would be so embarrassing if every month I had no progress to report to you guys! Maybe my public weight battle will help motivate others to lose the fat too. Thanks also for your compliment.
@Bren,
CONGRATULATIONS on your 11 lb weight loss so far! That is so huge!! Way to go. When I get the munchies I try to just open a can of no-salt-added green beans and munch on those. After I had my daughter I got down to my lowest post-marriage weight ever, but I’ve since put on 25 pounds.
I’m now ready to lose those 25 lbs plus an additional 10-15 on top of that. Good luck with your challenge. I haven’t heard of it, but it sounds like it’s working for you!
@Stephanie,
Even if you can’t afford it, just find a diet that works that you can afford! All dieting is is less calories in than out. The Cinch is just another way to take in less calories. I’m doing it just because it’s easy and I don’t have to think about what to eat. But if you count calories it will work for you too!
I’ll keep you updated for sure. I’m still trying to decide how frequently to post about it on the blog because my blog isn’t exactly a weight loss blog and I don’t want to derail it too much. I’m thinking once a month with Facebook updates on my fan page more frequently.
That’s it. We can’t be friends anymore.
Seriously woman, you thought people wouldn’t like you because you are a little overweight? Okay, I actually know exactly where you are coming from. After having my son, I didn’t lose ANY weight. I went from 120 when I was married to 180 when I had my son. Ouch. Finally I am back down to 135. I tried dieting and exercising but I would get discouraged and give up. I had to try the HCG diet. It sounded crazy but I went to a doctor in town who did the real HCG injections and I went from my fatty old self to 145 in about 8 weeks. And I have lost another ten on my own, eating well and walking approximately 5 miles a day. I still want to lose 5-10 more, but I am SO happy I lost some weight. I am still very self-conscious of how I look in pictures (probably because of two years of feeling too ugly for pictures), and I have to remember that I am so much better than I was this time last year. The point of my rant? If you need a friend, I’m here. I needed someone to cry to sometimes and I didn’t have anyone. And it was embarrassing to talk about.
Good luck! I’m happy you are taking the bull by the horns and finally conquering this! I know how it feels to feel terrible about yourself, despite what others say. I’ll be rooting for you!
Now we love you even more!
Good luck! I’m in the same boat as you and joined Weight Watchers on Jan 3rd. I just love food too much LOL!
If anyone can do it, it’s you! I know you can do this! Good luck!
I’m proud of you
My husband & I had a knock-down-drag-out this morning, but I ended up at the gym with him. I joke, but it was a fight. I currently weigh 226 & don’t really look it, so most people don’t think I’m that overweight. It always shocks nurses, etc. I guess I hide it well. But I’m SO sick & tired of seeing those craptastic pics of myself that people RARELY see me below the neck! And I know all of the poses to make my face/neck look thinner 
I’m joining in a Biggest Loser comp on our AF base here. I wish you luck! I’ve been a follower of yours since the beginning – I had a different blog back them (From My Front Porch). GOOOOOOD LUCK! Willpower is our enemy. It either helps or hinders us. There is no inbetween 
Best wishes!!
Good luck, Allison! I can’t wait to read about your adventure in weight loss! And BRAVO for being so brave and sharing your journey with all of us. I’m sending you lots of good dieting energy!
good luck! you can do it! i lost about 40 lbs last year, the good old fashioned way, diet and exersize (but would have done anything to make it faster, the hubs just didn’t agree), the girls at work did a biggest loser contest! it was so motivating. the biggest part for me was when my mind finally switched over and was ready to lose, no matter what any one else around me was eating! sounds like you are there! you will do it too!
you should post more pictures with you in it! you are beautiful!
I admire your fired up attitude! I cant wait to see you transform yourself! You are beautiful no matter how much you weigh but I know what it feels like on the inside to not be where you want to be on the outside. I lost 52 pounds last year. Eating healthy, exercising and keeping on track by using my bodybugg:) I don’t think I could have done it without that thing! Best of luck to you and CHEERS to your health!
I so relate to this post! I lost 31 pounds this summer, and it feels great. I ate four, four hundred calorie meals. I fell off the wagon during the holiday but only gained a few pound. I’m back in the game. I look forward to reading about your progress. Blessings
Woo hoo! You can do it! I need to do something as well. I am fat too.
It really sucks because I got to weight where I was comfortable a couple years ago and I gained it all back. Ugh!
I am proud of you too! You can totally do this!!! I can’t wait to read along too! By the way…you are a smokin’ hot momma right now. You will be a great inspiration! You Go Girl!
Bonnie
@Bonnie,
Thank you! You are too kind. I appreciate all your support!!!
@Carmen,
Oh gosh, so did I! I was down to a size 10 (I’m a 14-16 now) and was starting to look really good, and then I ate my way back to where I was before I started. Boooo.
I’ll do it again though – especially now since I’ve publicly proclaimed I’m going to lose weight! I kinda have to follow through now. lol
@Shannon,
I lost 25 lbs about 5 years ago and now have gained it all back.
Keep up your amazing loss! You can do it!
@Kama,
First off, CONGRATULATIONS on your 52 lb weight loss! That is something to be really proud of!
My SIL uses the body bug. I’ve been seriously thinking about getting one. I’ll have to look into them. You are now the 2nd person who swears by it.
Thanks for your kind comment about my looks
and your encouragement! I appreciate it.
@Jenni,
CONGRATS on your 40 lb weight loss!! That is so great!
It’s really hard for me to switch my mind over to where I’m just focused on the task at hand and stick with it, but i know what you mean because once I finally make up my {very stubborn} mind, I’m like a bull. I know with everyones encouragement I’ll be able to follow through and post a bathing suit photo this summer. Ack!
@Rebecca,
Thank you! I’m still trying to decide exactly how frequently I’m going to share on my blog, but I am for sure going to keep everyone in the loop. Hopefully I’ll lose it quickly so I don’t bore everyone to death!
I was terrified to post the pics of myself, but now that I have I feel so empowered. Maybe I’ll feel even more on top of the world once I admit my weight.
I am losing 40 lbs by my 40th birthday in July. I am motivated and ready to make this commitment. I am not sure about the diet but I am really interested in the cleaning products!!!!!!
@Crystal,
OMG you are so funny! You sound like me. Ben will beg me to go to the gym with him, and I just dig in my heels and refuse to go. It’s so boring! And my mind just goes a mile a minute so I find when I’m at the gym I get so antsy to leave and go work on all my ideas I’ve got in my head.
People are always shocked when I tell them what I weigh because I don’t look that heavy at all. But even in high school when I was thin I weighed in the 140′s – 150′s (which was a lot considering all my friends were like 95 lbs!).
Good luck with your Biggest Loser! I so want to be on that show!!! Also, thanks for being one of my original fans! I appreciate your continued support.
@Lia,
Good luck on your 40 by 40th! What a great plan! My goal is to lose my weight by my 31st birthday on June 1st. I’m sure I can do it and you can too!
OMG I LOVE their cleaning products. I was given some as a promotion special on my blog months ago and I loved them SO MUCH that I threw away all the lysol and windex and then actually signed up to sell the products myself. They have literally changed my world. If you want to order any, here’s the link: http://houseofhepworths.myshaklee.com/us/en/shop.s.html and if you sign up for the membership for $19.95 you will have a lifetime membership so ANYTIME you order ANY PRODUCT from them you get 15% off. Su-weet!
@Roeshel,
Thanks for having such faith in me. I’ve tried for years to lose weight and it’s just really hard. I am confident in lots of areas of my life, but weight loss has always been hard for me. I’m hoping that my blogging about it it will help me stay motivated.
@Shirley,
WW rocks too! I did WW about 5 years ago and lost all my baby weight plus an additional 25 lbs. I’ve since found those 25 lbs, but that diet is a good one. I just need to try something different this go-round. But if you stick with it you should do great!
Hopefully we can motivate each other! Good luck!
@Brittany,
I know, how crazy is my thinking to think people will like me less because I’m not thin and hot? It’s ridiculous. But these are the inner dialogues I tell myself. I’m trying to be more positive and not beat myself up so much. I’m glad you still like me though.
Congrats on your great weight loss! You should be really proud of yourself. And I checked out your blog… you are a cutie-patootie!!!
@Pamela, And I’ll be cheering for you to! … to reach your goal weight AND to finish your renovation!
@Rhiannon,
You must be a skinny little thing to have that kind of reaction! I went to your blog and tried to find a picture of you, but to no avail.
Ya, I guess I should also add “get in shape” to my list. Weight loss is good, but I need to get fit too.
@Bella,
Haha! You are funny. I love food too, which is exactly why I need these shakes! lol. I am a routine kind of gal, and if I can get into a routine where I eat/drink the same thing every day, I’ll stop thinking about food and can focus on weight loss, getting in shape, and getting healthy. I tend to think about and obsess over good food on an hourly basis. I guess that’s why I have a pretty impressive gut goin’ on.
Yes, I guess I do have to follow through now that I’ve told the world I’m starting a diet. ha! There’s no backing out now.
@Tammy,
Good luck with your new program! I’d love to hear about your progress as well. We can swap stories every month when I post an update.
@Angie,
Part of the reason I blog about embarrassing and personal things is to hopefully help others, so I’m glad I’ve been inspiring to you! Start your diet today and when I blog an update you can let me know your progress as well! You can do it!
ME TOO!! I hide behind the camera! I THOUGHT about doing a post like this. I thought maybe it would really kick start me….ya know by laying all out there for everyone to see! Kudos to you for actually doing it! I lost 75 pounds in 2007. I struggled for 5 years to get pregnant and was told losing weight could help. IT DID! I gained 30 while I was pregnant. Lost ALL of it in 2 months after Alie was born. THEN put on 40 while breastfeeding for 27 months. MAN does BFing make you hungry. Now the 40 is just stuck here!
I wanna do this…I do. I think following your progress will really inspire me. YOU CAN DO IT GIRL!!! 
@Ami,
Wow, what an inspiring story! Congrats on the weight loss AND getting pregnant. Maybe you can blog about losing weight too and we can swap stories! I know you can do it too.
So, is your last name Allison? Does that make your daughter Alice Allison? Ali Allison? If so, that is adorable.
Dear Allison,
No one has said this, so I’ll take a chance on it: Until now, your hands were full with children. You rightly prioritized your weight below your young children’s needs…they’re only little once and an extra 20 lbs will be waiting when you’re ready to deal with it(
). With all the moves you’ve done, you did a fabulous job keeping your family a cohesive unit. It wasn’t time before…now it is. You’ll do great.
YOu’ll see…
Congrats and good luck on your new journey. And it is a journey too…with ups and downs. The trick is to not get discouraged. Keep in mind always how you want to look and when the scale doesn’t budge, and you are doing everything right, focus on that image and hang tough!
I have lost 170 lbs!! And I have 40 more to go. The scale has been stuck and I am hanging on by the skin of my teeth!! Ha!
Hugs
SueAnn
Brand new follower here! I’m in Los Angeles and recognize the locations of some of your photos.
Always remember you’re a smokin’ hot mamma regardless of your size! You are beautiful as you are now, as you were years ago and as you will be in the future, regardless of your size. If you want to drop some weight, go for it, I wish you nothing but happiness and success!
Best to you,
Kimberly
I’m a lifetime member of WW who is a long way off her lifetime goal. LOL. I started going back to meetings Dec 27th and have lost 12.4lbs in the 3 weeks I’ve been on the new plan. I’m so excited at the thought of having my old body back. I just need to keep with it. I’m a full time nursing student and I’m a stress eater so it’s gonna be a challenge. I’m just glad I can share the process with others and know I’m not alone. LOL Best of Luck to you.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. You are beautiful. Make one small change at a time and all will be well. Losing weight is not a race but a marathon.
I started not to post because you already had 47 comments, but then I thought what if everyone did that? So I am here to encourage and support you! Good Luck – Be Strong- You can do it-We will all be here to cheer you on!!
Congrats and good luck! Weight loss is a journey – but you can totally make it an enjoyable one.
Accepting that you’re overweight and then deciding to do something about it is the biggest, most hardest step of all! Hubby and I each lost over 30 pounds a couple of years ago (I think he lost more like 40-50), and the first part – acceptance and determination to change – is the hardest step. But once you start hitting your weight goals, you’ll be psyched and itching to keep up the weight loss!
Although I may not be blogging about it, we’re currently on the Slow Carb Diet and are feeling great! I’ve lost 7 pounds since New Years and can’t wait to shed some more. I’m loving all the extra energy I have now.
Good luck! I know you’ll do great!
~Chelsea