From fat to lean (photos included)

Childfree1991

Am 23 years old and 5' 6. I started at 187 pounds with around 40% body fat (I got weighed, professionally scanned and measured etc.) I eventually began controlling my portion sizes, drinking more water, meditating (which reduced my stress by a long shot), and ate closer to nature. Some people may think, "Closer to nature? But it's calories in vs calories out that matter." Yes, calorie reduction can indeed lead to weight loss but the healthier they are, the better. Not only will you get the nutrients you need but you'll feel more energized and healthy in general, and also a better immune system (I very rarely get sick now). Of course it's fine to have desserts and junk here and there but if that's ALL you eat, getting in shape will be harder to achieve. Anyways, not only did I eat healthier with better portion control but I began resistance training (squats, lifting weights, using weight machines at gyms, etc). It's a benefit because resistance training helps build muscle and muscle is a natural fat burner even when inactive. It's been over a year (but under 2) and I've lost over 60 pounds and nearly half of my body fat (I got a second professional scan). I stopped focusing on the scale and now I just measure myself. I plan to get a couple of scans each year to see how well I'm maintaining my current body fat %. Point being is to eat healthy at least a good amount of the time, to exercise, measure, and get body fat checked. It's definitely better than just focusing on the scale numbers. When those new clothes fit and your body is more firm, that's when you pat yourself on the back regardless of how much/little weight you lost. Once again, I didn't count a single calorie.


Ps- the reason I cropped my face out of each pic is because I'm a bit private with pics, mostly due to my bad acne. Yes, I'm prone to acne (am starting to think my case is genetic). Am currently using acne treatment and hoping for the best.

annette_15

You look fantastic, great job!

Yotel129

Wow you look really good! Well done!

prinscharon

Wow you look amazing ! Excellent Job well done

Alatariel75

Your waist is so leeeetle!! Good job!

nicola8989

wows you look great - I want your waist!

george7527

You look amazing

dalem48

You look great!

livingleanlivingclean

Great job!

In terms of acne, I used to have atrocious skin. I used harsh treatments, cream after cream, ate "clean" (to the point of obsession). Acne never got better. It had seriously only got better since relaxing my approach to diet and getting rid of all my negative food associations.

LuckyMe2017

Awesome!

Childfree1991

livingleanlivingclean wrote: »

Great job!

In terms of acne, I used to have atrocious skin. I used harsh treatments, cream after cream, ate "clean" (to the point of obsession). Acne never got better. It had seriously only got better since relaxing my approach to diet and getting rid of all my negative food associations.

Congrats! I definitely can relate to bad acne and I eat healthy as well (which is how I got in shape). No progress though lol. I'm considering settling for something high quality and pricey if nothing else works.

chandramiller68

I admire your dedication, and you look amazing. Great job!!

Hornsby

You look great OP.

Per your acne, I have had it pretty bad as well. I would highly recommend picking up a Enzymatic exfoliation product. I tried it all growing up...The problem was most products don't actually fix the issue so you have to continue using it. They are pricey, but they will work.

cds_momto3

Congrats, you look great!!

Childfree1991

Thanks everyone and good luck to you all (who are still in the journey). You all have potential. Believe me, I was borderline obese and thought nothing would work. Turns out I wasn't as motivated nor trying hard as I should have been. Also, to you pregnant or post-pregnant ladies, you can do it as well. I'm about to head to college but when I return tonight I will post pics of my mother who is over 50 years old and in shape from basically doing the same thing. She's a nutritionist by the way.

geotrice

Great job on getting in shape!

spoonyspork

You're looking awesome! Congrats! I feel your pain on the acne. I have had an acne problem my whole life too. I'm a 33 year old woman and still have the face of a 14 year old boy :P All I can say is I'm glad my body matches the face age again, lol. I've actually been part of studies, including for some of the things that are now seen as the go-to for acne problems. My data is always thrown out cause I'm the outlyer nothing ever works on...

However, it has gotten a little bit better with my healthier (more balanced) diet. Still not great, but better! Have you found this to be the case as well?

So_Much_Fab

You look terrific, congrats!

quellybelly

You look amazing, thank you for sharing!

Jensmyfitpal

you done a great job your looking fantastic btw.

ajcc500

Childfree1991 wrote: »

Ps- the reason I cropped my face out of each pic is because I'm a bit private with pics, mostly due to my bad acne. Yes, I'm prone to acne (am starting to think my case is genetic). Am currently using acne treatment and hoping for the best.

This may help, Caroline Hirons knows her stuff!! She has a lot of "cheat sheets" for common skincare problems.

http://www.carolinehirons.com/2012/05/acne-cheat-sheet.html?m=1

ajcc500

Also - well done!! You look fantastic

Happylybre

Congratulations..... What a motivation!

clsaltzman

Congratulations on your progress. You look incredible! I have never posted in these before, but I can relate to acne. I have tried every treatment in the book -- expensive and what works for me (for years), is plain and simple Dove bar soap (sensitive skin type). I use it to wash my face every night. In the morning, I use Neutrogena oil-free acne wash and if I have breakouts, the Neutrogena on the spot acne treatment. Before you spend the big money, try it and see what you think. Give it a month. I have never wavered from that routine because it works for me so well. For moisturizer, I use Clinique dramatically different gel (for oily skin).

brynnsmom

Hey, you look totally awesome!

This may not be helpful, but I went through some bad adult acne in my mid to late twenties. Spent a fortune at the dermatologist, etc. What's kept it at bay for me now is Cetaphil anti-bacterial soap at night and Neutrogena spot treatment (the mild 2.5%). In the AM I use regular old apricot scrub. Witch hazel toner in the AM and PM after washing my face, which I thought would be drying and irritating but quite the opposite.

Congrats on your results!!!

Childfree1991

Thank you for the acne treatment suggestions lol. I will definitely take it into consideration. As I said I would before, I'll show a few pics of my mother (for any moms and/or older women here). Coincidentally, her and I did the same thing. Eating healthier, controlling how much we eat, and resistance training. The only difference is she does more cardio than resistance training while I'm vice-versa.

my mom in her late 40's



my mom in her early 50's

chesnity3

Great job!

angela233Z

you and your mom look fantastic

erojoy

Congratulations, but you mean you started at 40% body fat right? There is no way you are 40% body fat now.

elawoman72

You both look great! Definite inspirations! Re: acne. I've had success with the very simple aspirin mask. Worth a try!

tintinsaab

You look fantastic. Well done. You've probably already tried it, but my kids have had good results with Freederm cream when other stuff hasn't worked.