Woman accused of faking weight loss shares brave photo to silence ‘haters’

Credit: Simone Pretscherer Anderson

A New Zealand-based makeup stylist who shared photos of her dramatic weight loss on social media is getting worldwide attention after she posted an "after" photo showing her excess skin to silence the "haters."

Simone Pretscherer Anderson said she went from 372 pounds to 184 pounds in 11 months. She shared a before and after photo with the caption:

"I am officially half the person I was 11 months ago!...I can't even begin to explain in words what this accomplishment feels like. I set my self a goal that seamed so far out of reach at the time but I have stuck to it and with a lot of determination, will power, drive, motivation & compromise I have achieved my goal. Proud doesn't even begin to describe this feeling!"

After sharing the photo and details of her weight loss program, she received dozens of comments from people accusing her of faking the photos.

Many people claimed they did not think the photos were real because she would have excess, loose skin.

Credit: Simone Pretscherer Anderson

After reading dozens of comments, Anderson posted another photo showing her excess skin. She wrote:

"I don't know why but every single comment that called me out for being fake and a liar really bothered me far more than it should. I think it's because it took hours of crying and debating whether to share my story online and for others to see, posting the first picture online along with my weight for the world to see what the hardest thing I have ever done... So here we go I hope this helps all the "non believers..."

Several people mentioned that her hair color was different in the "before" photo and others mentioned her tan. Anderson decided she would face the haters head on and remind them a lot can change over 11 months.

Anderson said she is currently saving money for surgery to remove the excess skin. She said she will continue to share her weight loss journey on Facebookand Instagram.

I am officially half the person I was 11 months ago! From 169kg to 83.85kg, I can't even begin to explain in words what this accomplishment feels like. I set my self a goal that seamed so far out of reach at the time but I have stuck to it and with a lot of determination, will power, drive, motivation & compromise I have achieved my goal. Proud doesn't even begin to describe this feeling! Every 5am start, every single workout, tear, crying fit has all been worth it! From a BMI of 51.6 to 25.6. Now by no means does this mean my journey is over, from here I am setting my self many more goals, from maintenance, to toning, to increasing weights at the gym, half marathon to full marathon, more ocean swims and more sporting teams. This is just the beginning of a brand new and improved me, one who won't let anything or anyone get in the way of achieving what ever I decide to put my mind to. COME AT ME WORLD!!!!

A post shared by Simone Anderson (@simone_anderson) on Jul 10, 2015 at 1:19pm PDT

I don't no why but every single comment that called me out for being fake and a liar really bothered me far more than it should. I think it's because it took hours of crying and debating whether to share my story online and for others to see, posting the first picture online along with my weight for the world to see what the hardest thing I have ever done. Throughout my whole journey I have tried to be so honest about the whole experience and tell people it exactly as it's happened so to be called a fake hurt a lot. And then when it came to posting about my lose skin well that was equally as tough. So here we go I hope this helps all the "non believers" - my face uncovered, yes my hair and eyebrows are a different colour as I'm going back to blonde, yes I have changed my phone from Samsung to apple and have moved house so the background has changed (it has been 11 months people, things change!), my skin colour varies in every single post as I get a spray tan once a week on a Thursday and often change the depth of the colour I get depending on what event I have that weekend, yes I have lose skin and stretch marks but I don't feel the need to show them in every single photo I post online, I have shared my excess skin picture before so if you had bothered to click on my page you would have seen it and as for my ears changing in appearance?! Well I can't see that haha so who the hell knows!!! Maybe weight changes ears lol. Hope this helps :D now lost 85.7 GO ME!

A post shared by Simone Anderson (@simone_anderson) on Jul 12, 2015 at 4:54pm PDT