50 Pounds Lighter! (with pictures, of course!)

sarahwinder78

Hi all,

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. This is a sort of update to my "30 pounds lost" post from awhile ago. I'm now down to my goal weight - although now that I see how I look at this weight, I think I want to go a bit lower and continue to build muscle. I'm continuing to work on my running - both endurance and speed and will be participating in my first 5k on Thanksgiving morning. I'm lifting "heavy" (heavy in quotes because I'm not up to very heavy weights yet), using the Stronglifts program with a borrowed weight set at home (thank you to my brother for the loaner!). I've been slowly transitioning my diet adding in more complex carbs while still trying to keep my protein intake high.

On a more personal level, the last few months have been truly life-changing ones in more ways that just losing the weight. My husband told me he wanted to get divorced on the day I hit 30 pounds lost. This blow sent me reeling for a bit, but I am now realizing I am going to be SO much better off. Right now I am in the thick of things and it's not easy. I worry all the time about how it's affecting our children, what I am going to do for money, our future...but I have confidence that these things will all work out because I truly believe we will both be happier not being married to each other. But, that doesn't make it any easier to deal with the day to day trials and tribulations. I am so thankful that I started getting in shape before this all happened because I'm at that point in my fitness level where I actually enjoy running and working out (this was definitely not the case when I started!) and I am able to use working out as a great stress-reliever.

Thanks so much for reading and all of your support. I have gotten some amazing encouragement from friends l have met here at MFP and they have kept me going during the difficult times. THANK YOU!

Now for the pictures...I'm still figuring out how to use the new posting format, sorry...
Before picture was taken on June 3rd - a month or two into my weight loss - I'm probably about 10 - 15 pounds lighter here than at my heaviest.
The red dress picture was taken about a month ago before my friend's wedding. I'm maybe 5 - 7 pounds lighter now.
And the most current picture - me in my workout clothes.

Lady_Sugarcookie

Way to go lady!! Are you on to maintaining?

Heirgreat

Congrats to you! Wow lots of stress and no stress eating! great work-sincerely good wishes to you and your new life ahead- hope your peaceful time comes-with you being strong and healthy in mind & body you and the babes will be well and okay too-beautiful person inside & out!

craignev

Wow...big difference! Well done

sarahwinder78

Thanks everyone! Yes, I'm slowly moving towards maintenance now. I'm upping my calories very slowly - it's great to be able to be a bit more relaxed with food again. And, it definitely was difficult not to stress eat. Thankfully, I had already lost a good portion of the weight before the separation began and so whenever I had the urge to go eat instead of exercise I just reminded myself how hard I had worked to lose the weight and I didn't want that to be in vain - especially because it was so hard at first.

meryl135

wow! congratulations on an amazing accomplishment and the will to persevere

VanessaRudden

Well Done you- Keep up the Great Work!

Local_Atlantis

Amazing job! Well done. And I am sorry about your divorce!
I think you've done so well not to comfort eat and exercise instead. Seriously - well done xx

pinkiezoom

Brilliant job, you look fantastic x

Juvenica

Well done! Keep up the good work!

nogrows

Wow you are amazing! I think it is incredible that you are so honest about your life. That color red looks great on you (the dress as well).

tealskater

Wow - massive congratulations!! You look amazing, and have done so well!

mary659497

Congratulations. You look wonderful. Best of luck to you and your family.

vlm140

You look fantastic. Keep up the great work.

dwozniak16

You look unbelievable!
Congrats on the success!
You look great girl!!

acorsaut89

Congrats on your weightloss! I went through a separation this summer - we were together for 5 1/2 years and it was one of the hardest things I've gone through, but like you I know it's for the best and even if at the time it didn't seem great, I'm going to move on to bigger and better things (except I'm not going to be bigger!!!). My partner turned into someone I didn't even know during our separation, things got very ugly and I'm thankful we decided to wait to have children.

I can tell you're going to be amazing - and things always work out for the best, even if it doesn't seem like it right now. I've been having a few rough months myself but I have found my workouts have kept me somewhat sane and grounded when all I want to do is curl up in my bed and sleep or cry the days away.

You look absolutely amazing - congrats on the success you've experienced

SarBear00b

Awesome job!!!

gothchiq

Having your workouts to focus on will really help in getting you through the divorce. Unfortunately I can say I've been there too. But you really will be happier in the end without someone whose heart isn't in it dragging you down.

Tikibar72

Outstanding work that you've done for yourself! Most impressive!!

blankiefinder

Congratulations, amazing transformation! Kudos to you for amazing strength too, many people would have turned to stress eating. Seriously, props

icanplay3

Great job! You are beautiful! PS~ I love the little feet in the "before" pic

nina07111

Congratulations on your weight loss and on being able to use exercise as a stress reliever instead of food. Wish you the best going forward

berto23

excellent

sarahwinder78

Thank you all for the encouragement and kind words and especially to those that shared your personal stories as well. It's so reassuring to hear from people who've been in this situation and come out the other side. Thank you!