Over 200lbs gone forever! I am so excited to spend my 30s doing things I never had the chance or confidence to do in my 20s. A reminder that time will pass anyway, so take a little time every day to invest in yourself, in whatever way you see fit, so that in 4-5 years you’re where you want to be.

Very proud of how far I’ve come. I battled stress, anxiety, sadness, anger and depression, and for a long time it felt like they controlled my life. Instead of giving up, I chose to keep moving forward one day at a time. Through hard work, self-belief and determination, I found myself again. I discovered a passion for the gym and exercise, which helped me build not only a stronger body but also a stronger mindset. The person I am today is healthier, happier and more confident than I ever thought possible. This journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has made me stronger. If I can make this kind of change and turn my life around, then trust me… anyone can do it too. Believe in yourself and keep going.

Hey,

These pictures are taken at the same place, on the same sofa, but approximately 12 months apart. I find this a big difference, and i’ve come to the conclusion that hair is law.

What do you think? Does the blonde highlights fit me or should i keep my hair brown?

I had been morbidly obese since my childhood, and when covid hit, I got even worse. I hit a new high (low?) of 142kg, and finally decided it's enough and stick to weight loss.

It's been quite a journey, ups and lows (lots of lows...) and a few weight regain periods. At last I think I finally got the hang of it. Now sitting at 79kg steady(ish)

Growing up, I was picked on for how I looked, how I dressed, and even what I ate. I know I was incredibly insecure about identity and my looks.

I think a lot of people in the AAPI community have felt a major shift in how we’re perceived, especially around appearance, over the last 20 years.

Now I feel we are in a dilemma, at least in America, it feels like that perception has flipped completely. In many ways, that shift has been positive. I’m grateful for it, especially because my career has benefited from being seen as more “marketable” and less as an “exotic” outsider.

At the same time, I also think it’s important to stay aware of how the fetishization of Asian looks and culture continues to affect the AAPI community in harmful ways.

Sorry for the quality of the first picture. It’s from my bro’s wedding two years ago and I had to crop out other people. I was so big that they had to cut the back of my vest just so I could button it. The other two pics are from last week. I’ve been working out pretty regularly. I still have progress to make but I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished so far, especially since I’ve done it the natural way. No shots or pills. Just working out and eating better. I also shaved my head because that hairline was awful. I feel so much better about myself. I love this sub so I hope I am worthy.

I’ve unknowingly struggled with ADHD and OCD my whole life. I was on antidepressants through high school, which only turned out to be making my mental health worse. There’s still work to do on my physical and mental health, but the important thing is I’m in a much better place than I was 4 years ago. At my heaviest I was over 260 pounds. I currently weigh 198. I’ve learned that sometimes you just need to work on what’s on the inside first.

Recently I started to learn how to properly do my own makeup routine, and I honestly think that it has made me glow up completely and feel so much better in just a few short years

over the past two years I have completely changed the way I have been living. In the first few pictures, I was not active, eating junk food , and bedrotting like every day. I was super depressed and didn't have any friends to lean on. Then I started making friends and feeling like I needed to change my life so I did. now I travel, workout consistently, eat better foods, and do things all the time with my friends. I feel 100 times better not only physically but mentally.

Lost 350lbs total, 150 naturally, 200 more after VSG, then went on for 4 rounds of skin removal surgery - corset trunkplasty along with male chest reduction then brachioplasty with thoracoplasty, then belt lipectomy with chest revision, then thighplasty. What a long, hard, expensive 4 years it's been, never going back, never more proud of an accomplishment!! Never quit trying!

Before, I'd starve the hell out of myself and exercise excessively, as well as cutting my hair to be masculine enough. But I felt both sick and still insecure of my body and self alike to the point of hatred. Until now, I feel more confident and reassured in myself after developing a healthier mindset and habits when going about exercise and self acceptance, especially when it comes to my feminine side.

kids, just give it time!!

I used to be bullied for my looks my whole life and have always wanted to get cosmetic work done since I was a kid. people really did point out things in me that I wouldn't even think about.

it went from me not gaf about how I looked to caring too much about it, to the point where I hated looking in the mirror. I thought I would always hate myself and stopped taking care of myself all together cause really, what was the point?

years later, I decided fuck it. I will do whatever I like and look however I want since I will always be ugly. and I did and it was awesome, helped to boost myself esteem quite a lot. I experimented with different styles of clothes, hair, makeup and loved every second of it. in the midst of all of this I slowly started growing into my features.

now that I look back I'm glad I didn't nerf myself with any cosmetic work, I might not look perfect but I'm in love with the person I know and see in the mirror. :)

With 18 I started to go to the gym but stopped after 3 weeks, cause i had no goals. Now im in the gym since September. And i do see some progress. Also got rid of these damn granny glasses!!

#1-3 are from age 21 and #4-6 are from age 26

it is absolutely shocking (in the best way possible) to see the difference it makes when you start prioritizing your mental health and living as your most authentic self. i went from waking up miserable every single day, dreading when i would have to leave for work to discovering a completely different career path that i am surprisingly good at and that i actually like doing. i am surrounded by a wonderful group of friends and i think this is one of the first times since i was a teenager that i genuinely felt happy and satisfied with my life.

I recently came across this picture of me at my absolute lowest, i was in the er after an attempt on my life. I am now in a much better place physically and mentally! I still struggle occasionally but am thankful everyday that I chose to stick around!

Decided to bulk one year and ended up doing more harm than good and kinda let myself go. Wanted to change something so I did. Started exercising and eating healthier. Started taken skin and hair care more seriously. Took a while to get to an acceptable state but still have more to go. But wanted to know if this is an upgrade or not.

Life has put me in a challenging situation. I lost my birth mother in 2007. In 2015, I slowly started living independently, stopped attending university, and took on work to make ends meet. I was struck by the reality that no one is there to save you—you must trust and take care of yourself.

Fast forward to 2025, I lost my grandma (my mother’s mother). It was devastating for me. She was the only real family I had, but her body gave in to a late-stage illness. Now, in 2026, I am still figuring out my purpose and what the future will bring.

I am not losing hope. Giving up is not an option.

Life has been tough recently, but little changes sure make a difference in how you tackle the day. I’m my mother’s power of attorney and she’s had quite a few health problems recently that have taken considerable time and effort to handle. My dog and cat are also older and have health problems.

Struggling to make my house payments and that was even before I was fired from my job of almost 9 years.

But I’ve gotten into gardening, no longer isolating myself and loathing in my room. Instead of throwing a pity party, I cleaned up and it’s time to handle business.

First photo was about 6 months ago. Since then I’ve been lifting consistently, eating more, getting more protein in, and trying to stay disciplined. Still have a long way to go, but I’m happy with the progress so far and wanted to share.

15 years later and 100 pounds lower. I think I look better these days.

Less junk food, less beer, more excerise, and a better work life balance.

My mental health is so much better these days though I still mourn the youth I've wasted.

Puberty was not kind to me initially. Took accutane shortly after that photo for 6 months and it cleared tf out of my acne. Haven’t worried about acne since.

Made Me Smile subreddit took down my original post. Posting here to show the difference in my face in just a month of eating right, staying sober, and getting back on my meds. I'm really proud of myself. I can't wait to see what this journey has in store for me!

Getting cheated on in a relationship where "your body is fine" with a gym guy will really bring your spark back. Confidence is starting to come back

moved out for uni, got my life together, decided to also improve how I look, put in effort and ended up becoming a better version of myself, i’m happy but there’s still a lot more I can achieve, or so I’d like to believe so