The retouched Flynn photographs arrived after two weeks

This is a personal record from the original publication date. Food, exercise, weight, and procedure experiences describe one person’s circumstances, rather than current treatment recommendations or guaranteed outcomes.

Honestly, I had hoped the photos would look prettier. But this is what I look like. Taking on the challenge itself was worthwhile!

When people settle into their routines, they can drift, grow inactive, feel left behind, and become depressed. That is how I felt. I had gained a lot of weight, felt low, and found life monotonous and frustrating.

Exercising, changing my diet, and becoming someone who made plans brought energy back to my days. I felt good. I was proud that I had exercised, and excited by changes I had never seen in my body as I lost weight and gradually built some muscle. In photographs and mirrors, I began to see myself as beautiful. Perhaps my self-esteem was growing.

I have my own qualities, strengths, and charm.

Instead of merely thinking about it, I wrote things down, made plans, took photographs, and received the results. It feels like a milestone in my life.

Well done, me.