I would LOVE for you to continue the Healthy Train. Especially now that you’re not going to have training sessions anymore, it will be good for you to have a support group.

Although my health train derailed early on (OK, maybe not derailed, it just didn’t go ANYWHERE), in the past 2-3 weeks, I’ve gotten it back on the tracks at full gear! I’ve lost 3-4 pounds in the past 2 weeks, and have religiously started going to the gym every morning. Which means getting up at 5 a.m. Which I do for no one and nothing normally. And I have started eating much MUCH healthier.

So to have a check in on a regular basis would be great for me, because I’ve finally found some motivation and ditched the excuses. Yeah!!

I am ending at 15.84 percent! Way more than I hoped to be able to report and just under halfway to my goal weight. Thank you so much for doing this bobbi, it has been great to come read comments and see how great everyone is doing. I would love to continue the segment if you can fit it into your crazy schedule or just have people pop up on the facebook group more etc. Even though we are all over the place it is amazingly encouragment to get an ear and a cheer from others who are fighting the same fight.

Now i have to get hubby to take the “after” picture. I haven’t been in a single picture since seeing my horrific before, so I am nervous/excited to step back from myself and see the difference!

I would also love to see The Healthy Train continue…wooohooooooooo (that is supposed to be a train noise..ha). My train de-railed around the Holidays, but I am going strong and have fallen in LOVE with exercise….like have to do it every single day. So I would be thrilled if you did another contest in 6 months. Congrats to everyone who stayed with it!!

I’m finishing up at 14.5% 🙂 Very happy with what I’ve lost, but still have 16.8 lbs to go! 🙂 MUCH better than 46.8 lbs 🙂

Keep up the hard work guys!!

Hmmm…well, since last week I gained 6lbs from out of no where, I think I am finishing up about where I started. I really tried and that I am proud of and thank you Bobbi for the motivation!

WAY TO GO EVERYONE!! These numbers are awesome!

I’m ending up at 20.33% and this has been such a great experience to be a part of. I look forward to climbing aboard next time just to cheer everyone on, if not lose some more myself.

You guys rock – keep up the good work!! And Bobbi, thanks again, for being such a great inspiration. All the best, friends!

My weight is EXACTLY the same as last weigh in BUT my scale tells me that I’ve lost another .5% body fat so that makes me smile. I’ll be e-mailing in my after photos and final numbers tonight 🙂 THANK YOU BOBBI!!!!!

I’m finishing up down 4.69% , which i think is pretty good considering I was pretty much stagnant all of last year. Glad i’ve gotten over that hump!

I’d love to see your healthy train posts continue – it’s nice to be accountable to someone else.

I’m not on the healthy train officially, but props to you, Bobbi, for being so real, so honest, and so inspirational! You are a beautiful person, and your happiness with yourself definitely comes across in your blog, so keep it up, girl!!! And, your hair is GORGEOUS!!! Love it! Congrats for motivating and inspiring so many people, not only with your photography but with living a happy, healthy lifestyle!

Proud of you girlfriend. So, so proud.

Bobbi, I feel like a big loser for having fallen off the healthy train last year. And not only did I fall off, but I also gained back weight like you did…except where you had kept a lot of it off I gained it all back. This week was a whole new week for me. For various reasons, too much to explain in a blog comment, I realized that its now or never for me. I want to lose 20 pounds. Its an overwhelming thought and for someone as impatient as me, I hate thinking of the time I’m going to have to wait to see the result. But I know the harder I work, the faster I’ll see the results. I have been exercising almost every day this week, eating super healthy, and as tempted as I am to jump on a scale early, I’m going to wait until Monday to see how I did. (Side note: i’m scared i’ll fall off the wagon in Vegas next week!)
I’d love for you to continue blogging the healthy train. I think it will help hold me a bit more accountable for my own goals. In fact, yesterday I blogged a bit about my new start and if I can continue blogging about it, and checking back on your blog during weigh-ins, I think I could actually reach my goal.
Anyway, sorry for the novel I just wrote in your comment field! I think you look great and have done an awesome awesome job. Kepp it up. 🙂

Oh and I meant to tell you about the comment you made about how you look different in person than in a photo. I have the same issue. Its a major lack of self esteem. I know I can be a photogenic person and I only post the photos of me that I think are flattering, and then I get nervous that people are going to run away screaming when they see the real me. Lol. But people should love you for the person you are and not how you look 🙂 so its something I have to remind myself! Okay enough babbling by me. I swear.

Very inspiring. I found your site a long time ago and stupidly forgot to bookmark it. A friend just sent it to me recently again for inspiration and I’ve been lurking ever since. I just had to say that I could have written what you wrote. It is such a struggle, and it does effect every aspect of your life. Your work is amazing, and I love that you both work together and genuinely seem to live your passion. LOVE that!

I’m a photog. north of Chicago but sometime when my 3rd bambina is a little bigger am going to have to have you do our family photos. Very stoked to have found you!

i think you are amazing. the end.

(not really the end, because i have to admit that i did not end up loosing any weight. it pains me to admit that. but, i’m not giving up. in fact, i’m determined to never type those words again. tomorrow is a new day for me!)

I had a baby almost four months ago and am so ready to lose some of this baby weight!

You’ve done an amazing job, Bobbi. A lot of people would have just given up. Not only did you refrain from quitting, you bounced back AND admitted your flaws. That’s hot stuff in my book.

I had a baby almost four months ago and am so ready to lose some of this baby weight!

You’ve done an amazing job, Bobbi. A lot of people would have just given up. Not only did you refrain from quitting, you bounced back AND admitted your flaws. That’s hot stuff in my book.

I ended up at 12.24%. Still a long way to go.

Thanks for sharing your struggles with us! I cannot imagine traveling so much and trying to be healthy. My healthy eating tends to go out the window when I travel. I still exercise, but the food? Yikes!

It’s so cool that so many people stuck with it!

Ok I’m back to comment again since the last comment was before your addition. Is it weird that I’ve never met you, yet I want to give you a hug right now? LOL! Anyway you are awesome and we all love you not matter what your weight, but I can’t tell you how much more I love you for starting up the H-train. I will write more when I send in my after photo 🙂

Bobbi, as someone who struggles verrrry much with my weight, I’m so, so, so proud of you. Losing is so hard and takes a ton of discipline and dedication. Ordinarily, I’d say go celebrate with a cupcake, but how ’bout you go celebrate with a celery stick! 😉
xxoo
j*

This is my first time actually posting a comment, but I am a long time reader/follower/stalker.

Can I just tell you how stinking beautiful you are? I know I have never met you, but your gorgeous personality shines though each and every time you post. Seriously. I wish I could be as cool as you.

Awesome job on your weight loss. I feel your pain, being in the losing rut. I am there right now.

Big, squishy hugs to you!!!

Hi Bobbi, I just wanted you to know that LOTS of people start off weight loss, then gaining much or all of it back…like I did =) Back in June of ’08 I hit my top weight with a goal of losing 20 pounds (I’m short like you, so 20 pounds is ALOT on a small frame). I lost 16 pounds over 5 months and was so close to my goal! And then MY healthy train derailed (this was before I knew of you!). Over the course of last year (2009) I gained all but 2 pounds back. Then by December of this year I had HAD it! Haha. January came and I was totally motivated. So far I have lost 4 pounds!

To get to my goal I have 14 pounds to go and I would love if you continued the HEALTHY TRAIN cause I’m on board baby! It’s HARD and I think maybe those of us who read your blog all the time, might think an extra second before eating something we know we shouldn’t because somehow it makes us accountable…because, well, we have to account for it…with REAL numbers! HA =)

Congrats on your weight loss and all of the hard work that you and your Healthy Train passangers have put into improving their health!

Bobbi… I love you and think you are AWESOME!!!! Just sayin’!! =) Would love to see the Healthy Train keep going!

PS. I read the whole thing so I’ma take you up on that hug if we ever get to meet!!!!

=) Whit

Bobbi…I am not a healthy train member, but thought I would share with you some struggles I have had in the weight loss arena. I have always had a hard time losing weight, although I have never been extremely over weight…but carrying the extra weight around with me certainly didn’t help my self confidence. I am an active person, and eat very healthily (I’m a vegetarian, don’t eat processed sugars, only eat whole grains, ect), but could never shed those extra pounds…you know the ones I’m talking about…the ones that are considered “baby fat” until you are too old to still have baby fat. Last month I decided to go to the doctor and see if she could give me any advice, I was referred to an endocrinologist. As it turns out, this weight I have been trying to lose for approximately ten years was a sign that there was something more wrong. Nothing life threatening, but nonetheless there was a medical reason I was having trouble losing weight. I have poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and was told by the doctor that I was lucky that I had only gained 20 pounds since high school. So, I know how hard it is to stay motivated, and I know you can do it if you put your mind to it. I finally feel as if I can break through the wall I have been up against for the past ten years. 2010 is going to be the year. you should be tremendously happy with every pound you lose, and just know that there are so many people out here that aren’t concerned with the number of pounds you lose, but are encouraged by the fact that you are working towards that goal. Oh, and not that you don’t have anything else going on or anything (maybe another HT member can be appointed), but I totally think it would be cool for all the HT members that are local to participate in some sort of charity walk or something of the sort. It would be kinda cool to meet others that could encourage each other through the process…just a thought.

P.S. I LOVE your blog, you guys inspire me to be the best at my art…Thanks!

I am so proud of you. I know how hard it is. I lost 10 pounds at the beginning of 2008 and was SO proud of myself. Then when I changed jobs and went to work in a cubicle I gained all that back and then some. After reaching my all time high, more than I weighed when I was 9 months pregnant, I thankfully have lost 20 pounds but cannot seem to get past that point in my weight loss journey. I joined the healthy train hoping for more motivation but when I still couldn’t break through my plateau, I did the same thing as you and stopped weighing in here. 🙁 Even when I signed up for WPPI and I came up with the goal of getting down to my wedding weight, it didn’t prove to be enough motivation for me.

I hope that you do start up the healthy train again and this time I will try to do better at keeping up with the train. Maybe it would be better if I ran alongside it instead. 😉

I can’t wait to meet you at WPPI. If you see a chubby 5’2″ brunette coming toward you with a big goofy smile then that just might be me. 😀

I’ve been a lurker for a while now, but I decided to leave the confines of Google Reader to tell you that You rock!! 🙂 Seriously. In both your photography and just you in general. I love seeing the bits and pieces of life that you capture through your lens, but also how in every aspect your awesome personality comes through in every way. Congrats on your healthy train, and sticking to it even if there were a few bumps in the road.. or umm.. tracks I guess. 😉 It can be tough, especially talking/writing about it! So, *virtual high5*! 🙂

Oh, and your hair looks super cute! 🙂

Bobbi – you owe me a hug 🙂 I read the whole thing and just have to say you look fabulous just as you are (love the new haircut and color, too)!

I think the most important thing is that you feel good about who you are, inside and out, and that you are as healthy as you can be, no matter what the scale tells you.

So, give yourself a pat on the back for inspiring others to get moving and cut yourself some slack…you’re only human! Here’s to a HEALTHY and HAPPY 2010!!!

Bobbi you are truly inspiring so many by being so honest and sharing this with everyone. Go choo choo! 🙂 And that new hair cut…you’re going to rock it out in Vegas!

I love you and I’m so proud of you. I’m not mad that you are so pretty.

So, I may have not won the contest in terms of percentage – lost 13.5%! but I did win in terms of regaining confidence in myself. I love the fact that I can fit into “cute” clothes again. Being so tall, I am already somewhat limited – add in being fat, and well… you get the picture. I have lost about a size and a half and feel great! I would love to loose 10 more pounds or so and push myself in to the next size down. Can’t wait for the next go around!
Great job Bobbi! You are an inspiration.

So the scale has been going down over the last 5 months, and I have lost an incredible amount of weight. More then I every dreamed imaginable, since in the past I would lose 5 pounds and derail. However the weight was off on the scale and people who I only see a few times a year have made several comments I did not feel that much different. Until yesterday when I took my after picture, I called everyone and was on such a high “You will not believe the difference I look AMAZING!!” (those words have never left my lips in 25 years of my life). I could not believe the difference! So excited to send in my after photo, not so much my before but I have come to terms with it that is the old me! Great job everyone, and Bobbi I think you look AMAZING, and love the tresses too!

My final percentage is 13.9%….and I plan to keep on chugging a long. I am especially ready for Spring and Summer so I can get out of the house, I HATE exercising inside!

Bobbi & the HT peeps, sorry i didn’t post yesterday- was at class all day and then forgot. I (like I’ve been for the last two months) am holding strong @ negative 16%. Haven’t lost anything significant since December…but fortunately haven’t gained any either. I will send in my photos asap…but must admit I am mortified they might be posted here. AHHH!

Definitely will be keeping up with the healthy train (Bobbi, thank you so so so so much for your leadership and motivation and spirit! I am so grateful that you pulled us together in this! You are one incredible, strong woman! And thanks for your honesty sharing your story… it helps to know that I’m not the only one struggling to NOT be depressed after not losing anything….ugh! Must….. keep….. trucking!) Anyway. So I’m all for this continuing if you guys are up for it!

ELISSA RUSSELL!!!!! MORTIFIED?! I just looked at your original “before” photo and if you’ve lost 16%?! WOWWWWZAS TO THAT!!!!!! Do NOT be mortified… be PROUD! 🙂 SHOW IT OFFFFF!!!!!!

Bobbi Michelle,

You are the most beautiful person I know inside and out.

Your Momba loves you.

Okay, I have an idea.
Since the Healthy Train has clearly impacted the lives of many of your readers, it would be a shame to lose it. Giving people a place to be accountable in a judgement-free zone is really powerful, especially for those who don’t have a work out buddy or trainer. But even with as great as the Healthy Train is, it shouldn’t have to be maintained at the expense of your time or energy.
So the idea. Have a Healthy Train member create a new blog that tracks members, weight loss, and shares inspirational stories. This blog could even include tips, like healthy snack ideas or easy exercises to do while catching up on the DVR. A new blog would provide a permanent space for anyone who needs that extra push and motivation, and it would take some of the burden off of you while still allowing you to be as involved as you want.
Just an idea. I really believe in what you’re doing, and your story reminds all of us who struggle that we are not alone.

I had to come back for another comment after reading your additional story- Thank you. The reality of dealing with weight, if it is 10 pounds or 100 pounds is that each one of us will struggle with losing and gaining and keeping our own personal demons at bay. Having other people around, even virtually, who understand those demons is a huge part of being able to keep going. Thank you for giving each of us a place to say that we are really unhappy or excited or scared or just mad at ourselves because of our struggle with weight. That has been enough to give me a kick in the pants to refocus and keep going. I am setting my goals higher for myself than I ever thought I could- I want to run the Dempsey Challenge this year. I haven’t run for anything since high school, but the idea is stuck in my head, so as long as my knee holds out, my big old butt is gonna go for it. Anyway, I just had to tell you what you tell us- you aren’t alone, you are gorgeous (loving the new do!) and you can do whatever you set your mind to!

well, I started out strong on the healthy train but fell off the train in December (more like jumped from the train, at Holiday Station) and had a hard time getting back on board but slowly did, and I could have done better but overall I’m pretty happy with where I’m at. I’ve lost a total of 15.2% on the healthy train and I’m a little over halfway to my weight loss goal.

And, I remember you once saying on your blog that we should keep track of inches lost so I measured myself back in September and then put those measurements away in a drawer, and I just now pulled them out and re-measured…
arm — lost 1 inch
hips – lost 3 inches
waist – lost 7 inches
thigh – lost 5.5 inches
bust – lost 2 inches that I didn’t need to lose 🙂

Thanks so much for doing the healthy train bobbi! I would love to keep going on it — You inspire me!

you are inspiring. you look AH-mazing. all of your hard work and determination is paying off!

I have got to get my picture taken now – maybe I can come up with some sexy pose!

But seriously – I think it would be awesome if we had all sent into Bobbi the amount of weight we lost so she can add it up and report how much lighter the “train” is total. I bet there is a ton of weight shed during this.

For me, the train has just made a stop, And I am not continuing on. I have taken the last several months to make some much needed habit changes and bad habits are hard to break. I am 60% to my goal weight (as of today – but as I get closer, I may push it off further) It is really hard to explain just how much of a difference losing some of this weight is. I think everyone who participated, has done an awesome job. And bobbi – you look FAN-flippin-TASTIC!!!

Yay HT! Since the train started I’m down 8.1%. I feel great about that! I would also like to keep some kind of healthy train going – one of the biggest motivators for me to join up in the 1st place was the b+m photo shoot prize, so…I’m still in! Maybe I can k some a for round 2?

Also, Bobbi, thank you so much for being so open and honest. My HT time has been VERY similar to yours – an enthusiastic but slow start, a slight derailment around nov/dec and since the beginning of the year, I’ve really found my focus and happy place with getting healthier 🙂 Sometimes it sucks, but sometimes it’s actually fun! No matter what, it’s totally worth the effort. And you’re totally awesome with really great hair! 🙂 xoxo.

I have gotten myself upto a grand total of 10.46%! But that has muscle gain in there as well. So if you take my body fat % I have dropped from 17.5% to 9.6% as of this morning! 🙂

I love your site. I’m new to photography and your site is very inspiring. Congratulations on getting healthy. I’m pregnant with my 5th baby…so if you’re still doing this in a few months I’ll be joining you 🙂

I am adding in an extra comment…okay it’s been almost a week since I weighed in and I had gained 6 lbs in one week and was feeling like a total fail. Then I read more comments that were posted and I am still blown away by everyone! So that itself was enough for me to not give up! I jumped back in and worked harder and today I lost the weight I had put back on, so I am back to the starting point. Just wanted to say great job everyone and I’m very proud of you! Don’t give up! I lost 55 pounds after I had my youngest child and for years I have worked very hard to keep it off, I just can’t shake that last 10lbs. Thanks for giving me inspiration to never give up 😉 Bobbi, very proud of you not just for losing the weight, but for motivating everyone and being an inspiration 😉

Just when I thought you couldn’t be more inspiring!!!! Wow! You look so great! And your new hair is rockin! Thanks for even more inspiration, you are one awesome chica! ~Shell

CONGRATULATIONS! You look fabulous!

way to go bobbi!!!! keep it up! so I ended at 7.5% – not too shabby – I had my just 4 year old take an after picture of me – got 1/2 my body – I can see the difference – looking to lose 10-15 more! so glad you did this – thank you – happy thursday!!!!

Bobbi:

I would love to join your Healthy Train. I started my healthy train in November of 2008. I was gearing up for my 20th reunion, and by June of 09 I had lost 68 pounds (yes, I wrote that correctly). I was elated, jumping for joy. There is no way I could go back to my reunion looking like a scumbag. I even won “Most Changed”. Then it happened! I came back home and let myself go. Who would care anymore? My husband loved me fat or skinny, my kids will always be there and no one else cared what I looked like. I am so disappointed in myself.

I want to get healthy for me again and be able to maintain it. If you are still letting people join your Healthy Train; count me in. I would love to take this ride with you.

BTW: I think I have turned into a Blog Stalker — your work is amazing!!! Just {heart} you guys.

Melissa

So, last year when you started the original healthy train, I was on board. Physically, I was ready to blow that whistle. Mentally however, I wasn’t even at the station. So, a few weeks in I was totally not on board. When you started this round, I didn’t want to embarrass myself because I knew mentally I still wasn’t there.

When we got married almost three years ago, I lost almost 30 pounds and I’ve done good with keeping off all but about 5 of those pounds. However, I am ready to kick my last 20 pounds to the curb. Mentally I am on board and ready to do it now though, so I hope you keep up with the healthy train posts.

so cool! i need to start losing this baby weight and what i had before the baby!

WOW! These photos are crazy inspiring. SO proud of everyone. Congrats to you ALL. Wish I’d have done it too… But there’s always next time…

So, when do we start Healthy Train #2: Electric Bugaloo? Hehehe

CONGRATS again to you all!

bobbi, you are hot. and i’m sorry that i never sent in an after picture. my bad. you will see my “after” at my wedding in june!! 🙂

Ok, so I’ve been stalking your blog for about four years now and have never left a comment…but I just had to leave one today. Bobbi you’re AMAZING!!!!! You have no idea what an inspiration you are to me to finally get off my duff and get in shape. Not for anyone but myself! Your candor and honest vulnerability about your struggle with your weight have moved me to tears several times and I only wish I had a friend like you in my life to egg me on when I get down on myself.
PS. You’re looking so great in all your skinny cuteness!!!!!!!!!
PPS. I’m seriously addicted to your photography. I think I’m on here every day hoping that you’ve posted more pictures 🙂 Keep up the amazingness!
Sincerely,
A huge fan