What a 70lb weight loss looks like on a 5'8" 54yr old female!

Sandra_Curtis

ojettabrown wrote: »

Fantastic job! Will you be kind enough to tell me what your exercise regime looked like at the beginning and how it has progressed?

I started by walking a couple miles. Few times a week. I hiked routinely, but I struggled with the my lack of strength and endurance. In February 2014 I started a group fitness class focused on weight loss at Lifetime Fitness. This was a huge turning point. It was 3 days per week at a scheduled time. It was a small group with other obese folks, so I wasn't embarrassed by how I looked or how out of shape I was. People would ask me why I had missed a class (so I didn't), I tried new things, worked at my ideal fat burning heart rate (not too slow, not too hard), and I stuck with it religiously until I had a long road trip starting in June. During that weight loss class I lost 35lbs! During my 4 mos road trip of over 12K miles, exercise was difficult. I was also battling a shoulder overuse injury and plantar fasciitis. (We averaged 600 miles per day shuttling across the US to get to graduations, two weddings, caring for parents in MI and OR, dropping our freshman daughter off to Arizona State and a funeral). The best I could do was monitor my calories and walk when I could. I was fortunate that I gained less than 5 lbs and was able to return to my more rigorous exercise when I returned home in Oct 2014. I could no longer afford the weight loss class, so I took the plunge to join "regular" fitness classes, combining cardio and strength. In Feb 2015 I've notched it up again, a core class 3x a week plus 2 60min strength workouts. In an attempt to continue weight loss I also add at least 500 cals of cardio 6 days a week. (I'm not losing weight (yet) using this last strategy but my body fat percentage has dropped from 31% to 25%). I still hike once per week (when it's not too icy), but I'm proud to say I've doubled my speed (from 1.5 to 3 mph), increased my distance and difficulty (usually 6-8 miles), and my endurance gives me hope to be more successful on multi day backpacking trips.
Currently I eat 1500 calories and exercise an average of 600 cals.
My tips are: Stages. Routine. Group classes. Dedication. Variety. Heart rate monitor. MFP!

want2feelbetter

Well done !!!! Thanks for inspiring us all ; )

determined24girl

You look awesome! Glad you feel better too! Good job!!!

Lorraine128

What an inspiration! You look amazing and it's wonderful to know how just how much of an impact your new lifestyle has had on your health.

librarydebster

You look wonderful! I've lost 65 and my mission this year is to get down another 20-30 pounds. Your success is inspiring!

Graceious1

Well done and it just goes to show what determination looks like and how powerful we are.

librarydebster

You have a wonderful healthy glow. What exercises did u enjoy most?

1905Jane

You look great. I just started my life changing journey yesterday and I hope that I can look as good as you do.

Laughter_Girl

Job very well done. You look great!!!

enterdanger

You look fabulous. We had about the same starting weight, but I still have 20lbs to go to get to where you are. Glad to see it can be done!

bluesdivaca

Amazing - and so awesome on all of the amazing change and improvements in your life. Your posting caught my eye because I am 54, and I am 5'8. I have short hair - and will hopefully re-do my kitchen this summer I am starting over (yet again) and feel really good about some choices and changes I am making. Your posting inspired me - and I am so happy for you!

FoxxC

Very inspiring. Thank you for posting.

Sandra_Curtis

librarydebster wrote: »

You have a wonderful healthy glow. What exercises did u enjoy most?

Hiking! My husband is an avid backpacker. He's 65 and a recent cancer survivor. Despite this, I couldn't keep up. Now he can't keep up with me. However, if my exercise routine was hiking only, I wouldn't have improved so much. Cardio, core and strength training at the fitness club provided me the necessary cross training was key to being able to do my favorite exercise better.

Csy4242

You look amazing and you can tell from the pictures that you feel amazing too! Congrats!!!

Lisa1971

Wait......You're 70????? You look amazing woman! Great job!

Lisa1971

Ok, don't mind me! I just re read your topic. I was like "whaaaaaaat?" LOL! Sorry!

marielm87

thats awesome. i am so proud. Im hoping i look as good after 70 lb weight loss.

squidmd

Inspiring !

epido

You look great! I'm an inch shorter, and my ultimate goals are to end up similar to where you currently are.

Congrats on your improved health and fitness!

thecraftinista

You look FABULOUS!

spicy618

You're Awesome!

Serendipity5215

I love the remodel & you look amazing!!!

necasperaterrent

Inspirational!

randilynn113

Great job! Thanks for sharing!

RainyDaysAgain

You look wonderful! Hiking is the activity I enjoy most, and I know it will be even more enjoyable at a lighter weight.

alalalli2011

You look absolutely AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing your story/pic. You look very healthy,but most importantly you look happy! Keep up the great work!!

cmabnx

FABULOUS!!!!

pedidiva

Fabulous job!! What an inspiration.

margolinville

Playing the numbers game works! Let's press the news! Our society's food has more calories than we need! So counting is crucial to our heath

Marlene1667

Congratulations! I am 50 and have about the same goal so your story is very inspiring. Thank you.