Friday! Yay! Had a nice day off just puttering around and doing things 
Started off the day with a good gym work out:
Walked 1 mile on the hamster wheel, then did my lifting:
- Chin ups: 2 sets of 2, 1 set of 1 (and a lame attempt at 2)
- Barbell split squats: 3 sets of 8 at 65#
Super set:
- Barbell incline chest press: 3 sets of 8 at 55#
- Lunges with bar: 3 sets of 8 with 35# bar
Super sets:
- Prone cuban snatch: 3 sets of 10 with 10# DBs
- Reverse crunches: 3 sets of 15
- Nose breaker: 3 sets of 10 with 20# DB
Super set:
- Dumbbell pliet squat: 3 sets of 10 with 40# DB
- Dumbbell pull over: 3 sets of 10 with 20# DB
Then I did an interval workout on the stationary bike. Felt good! I worked the weights harder today as I am taking a scheduled lifting break next week (which I do every couple of months or so).
I was all set for grains this morning for brekkie! I actually did that work out fasted to see what would happen (nothing). I was hangry, though. I made some banana custard oats with a whole egg today:
Topped with some raw honey and PB. Yum! This raw honey has some bee pollen in it too, which was interesting.
I was able to get up to all kinds of stuff with not having to work. I made some maple coconut pecan butter (like a liquid praline 
)
and got some slow cooker stew started for dinner.
Flashback Friday: I was flipping through some old photo albums last week and I saw some photos that just made me freak out a little. When I think about how my mind’s view of myself has changed, these photos looks so alien to me.
Here I am at my heaviest weight in 2002, standing in front of our first home (John was probably at his heaviest, too).
I loved that house and the garden I put in the back.
And then this photo, a few months later. I know I probably had a bulky sweatshirt or sweater on under this, but the jacket (24W) is almost bulging:
Same smile though 
These 2 photos make me laugh a little because the first one is little head on big body, the second is big head on little body More and more the 2nd picture is becoming the norm in my head. It’s just taken a couple years for that to happen.
Which leads me to this FAQ question set:
Do you track calories or record your food intake at all? (besides what you record on your blog) Yes, I use Dailyplate or Fitday to record what I eat. I have been experimenting with not recording food a few days a week as an experiment, but I will probably always have some sort of tracking going on. It’s kind of a habit now.
DO you try to stay within a calorie range? Try would be the applicable word here
Best advice for someone who wants to lose weight? If I could say something to the old me in that photo, it would be that it is never too late to start, and it isn’t impossible, and it doesn’t mean you have to give everything up or become a social outcast to change your eating habits. Start small, as all the little changes add up to big results over time. And that it takes time. Patience is so important, especially when you have a lot to lose. It takes a long time, but that’s okay. But probably the most important thing is to speak kindly to yourself. Never, ever talk down to yourself because you are worth so much more than the weight on the outside. Positive talk leads to positive self-worth.
I went out and did some consignment browsing today, but didn’t find anything I wanted to buy. I did bring home snacks for John and I.
There were a few snacks today. Not a good day as far as following my ‘no extra snacking’ thing I was trying to implement. This is really hard! I am craving bread type of things for some reason.
The stew I put in the slow cooker turned out awesome! The stew meat was local grass fed meat from the smokehouse and it was really, really tender. With some biscuits!
All day of cooking and 20 minutes of eating. 
All in all, a nice day and to know that I also have Saturday off feels like a real treat! We are taking my folks out for breakfast if the weather is okay. Think I will save my run for the afternoon.
Question: What is one thing that you would tell your past self if you could?
Wow, Lori! You are such an inspiration. You have come so far in your health and with your fitness! You should be so proud!!
.-= Marisa (Loser for Life)´s last blog ..The Method and Madness =-.
Your story is so motivating- I love to see the before and after pictures.
.-= Alissa´s last blog ..Double-Cheese, Spinach and Chicken Pizza =-.
You look great Lori, you have come so far. I’m not unlike you in that I would tell my past self that it’s not to late to have big dreams and make them happen!
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..Busy Bee =-.
What an amazing transformation. What’s so great is that you look so happy in your before and after pics! And your husband deserves a big pat on the back as well. He looks so different now!
If I could go back in time I would love to tell my old self to stop thinking so badly of herself. I found my old journal recently and the things I felt were so sad. So desperate and hopeless at times. I would tell me to love myself for who I am right then…not for what I “could” be.
Thanks for sharing your answers.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Wednesday Stuff & New Recipe =-.
Wow Lori! In the pic with the jacket on it looks like you have fake padding on. I can see how much your face has changed though, don’t get me wrong on that.
The stew looks great. I am really missing my mistos since I have been off work. I am really looking forward to having one next week.
Enjoy the breakfast with the folks!
.-= Kimberley´s last blog ..The "Perfect 10" Challenge – Update #8 =-.
I forgot to answer your question.
I would love to be able to go back in time and tell them me that lost 136 pounds to be vigilant. A missed workout, a special dinner here and there was a slippery slope for me.
.-= Kimberley´s last blog ..The "Perfect 10" Challenge – Update #8 =-.
Those pictures are just amazing. You look amazing now – just so balanced looking and fit! Congratulations Lori, and I love all your food pics today!
.-= Diane Fit to the Finish´s last blog ..Clothes That Don’t Fit =-.
Good day, fantastic food, and AMAZING PICTURES!!
I don’t know what I would tell my old self–maybe: get a move on. Its not that hard.
.-= debby´s last blog ..One Day Off =-.
This is a really great post, Lori. I love the photo comparison!
.-= 266´s last blog ..Doctor Who? =-.
Amazing before and afters.
How do make banana custard oats?
.-= Pink Panda´s last blog ..Stop Crying Jack! =-.
Banana custard oats can be found here:
http://findingradiance.com/2010/02/19/custard-oats-primer/
Wow, you look like such a different person now! When you look at those pictures, you really can see what a long way you’ve come – amazing!
I had to laugh at “nosebreakers” – knew exactly what that is, except that we call them “skullcrushers” – any case, they are hard!
Hmmm, I’d tell my old self to be nicer to my body – I might want to use it someday!
.-= Shelley B´s last blog ..Friday Catch Up =-.
That’s a pretty impressive before and after, Lori! You look so incredibly healthy now; it’s just lovely.
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Perfect 10 Challenge: Week 8 =-.
Wow. And congratulations! You have come so far. I love that picture of you in your Dr Oz shirt – you look so happy and vibrant. And what always strikes me when I see before and after pictures is that in most cases, the person looks so much younger in the after pictures. Being overweight not only makes you feel old, it seems to make you look old, too.
What would I tell my old, fatter, self? I would tell her that the days go by whether she does something about taking care of herself or not, and she can never get those days back. And that she shouldn’t let another day go by without taking a step towards better health, even if it is a small step…
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Workshops Rock! =-.
I would tell myself to just ‘breathe’ . Take baby steps. Change your lifestyle not ‘go on a diet’ . Be brave. Theres more to life than that big bowl of icecream. Set yourself up for success not failure. Be kind to yourself. ONe mistake does not ruin an entire day.
First, I love your workout!! Isn’t it fun to make up our own?
Weird, because you do look different now, but like you said, you still have the same smile. I love that Oz picture of you though – one of those ones that says a thousand words! Oh, and I watched that episode online a few days ago!
I would tell Old Susan to “be yourself.” I was always pretending to be something I wasn’t and attracting all the wrong kind of people and things in life. It’s so much easier to go through life when you’re comfortable being who you really are
.-= Susan´s last blog ..The Age Old Weight & Rep Debate =-.
It is really amazing to see how much you have changed Lori!
.-= South Beach Steve´s last blog ..Thank You All =-.
Lori! Isn’t it amazing when we see photos of ourselves and realize the transformation? Congrats on such a healthy change. You are amazing outside, but more importantly, INSIDE!
Yes, I do “loosely” keep a food journal, just a running record, not tons of detail: time of day, amount, kcals if I know or an approximation to keep me on track for the day. I also record # of glasses of water and # of fr/veggies, to hit the daily reqm’ts. Some days much better than others, but when I slip, I notice my calorie intake increases quite a lot.
When dropping wt, I cut back to 1400/day, but normally, about 1500 – 1800 works best. Getting older requires fewer calories, I’ve read. Long run days = more calories, though.
Advice to others? Portion control, cut out white items (flour, sugar, salt, etc…
, and keep a food log.
What to say to the old me: “Learn about weight and diabetes. Learn family history. Practice portion control and cut the cards. Try to avoid the type 2 diagnosis that’s coming.” It came at age 39.
Thanks for sharing such an honest look back…You’re terrific and I’m glad we met via blogging.
Happy Weekend!
~ Robin
P.S. I LOVE consignment shops!!!!!!!
To old me: “Cut the carBs, not cards!” Ha Ha
I love this post! Your pictures are amazing. As I’ve told Diane and Steve…since I’ve only seen you as a thin person I can’t even imagine you that heavy and in a 24w.
Note to myself both past and present: You can do it. You have it in you and you are capable of breaking free from an addiction to food. Just don’t give up!
.-= Leah´s last blog ..Perfect 10 Update #8 =-.
I am sure looking at your past pictures makes you feel very proud and you should be,,,,Congrats again! You are an ispiration to all!
.-= Ron Michel´s last blog ..Dumbbells kicked my butt this morning =-.
Love the photos!
I’d tell my before self many of the same things you listed, primarily to forget about doing it perfectly and focus on getting it right *most* of the time. (And then I’d point out to myself that “most” means 85-95% of the time, not 51%. Just to eliminate any confusion.
Have a great weekend, Lori!
.-= cammy@tippytoediet´s last blog ..Some Friday Topic Hoppin’ =-.
What a big difference! Your head was back then really to small for your body. Now everything is in the right proportion.
.-= Fran´s last blog ..A day in my life: Thursday February 25th 2010 =-.
Amazing before & after pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You sure have come a long way! The smile is still great!
That maple coconut butter looks fantastic!
I love Cammy’s point about 51% is not most of the time!
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..LIVESTRONG Wants Healthcare Reform =-.
Lori, you look so radiant and healthy in your “after” pictures. You are quite the inspiration.
My mantra when losing weight was – “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”
I’d not change that because it’s the truth!
Wow Lori – what a difference! You should be so proud of yourself!!
I am loving using http://www.caloriecount.com for all my recipes, although I have used fitday in the past too.
Happy Saturday!
.-= Biz´s last blog ..Boston Style Coffee =-.
You have come so far! Thank you for sharing this with us.
One thing I would tell my former self is do not sweat the small stuff!
I love before and after pics. Yours are amazing. And inspiring.
.-= Deb´s last blog ..2010 Goals – January Wrap Up (Better Late Than Never) =-.
Lori you look amazing! You’re such an inspiration!
.-= Ash @ Good Taste. Healthy Me´s last blog ..Oh, Hello =-.