From a size 20 to a size 8 with strength training, in one year! PICS!

NextPage

Wow - you look stunning. Thank you for posting your routine. I have been doing similar lbs and exercises and have been trying to get to the "heavy lifting" category but I'm not getting there as fast as I thought. However, you show that medium weights, challenging yourself and perfecting form do pay off.

jsnyder320

Amazing, congrats on your journey.

StephyA86

I so needed to see this today! I lost 70lbs a few years back with solely cardio, and it didn't stay off (why I'm back, lol). I am trying the strength training route this time and was starting to doubt if it was the right move. Seeing your before and afters has reconfirmed I'm on the right track! Great job!

shamcd

I am impressed, you've really done some serious work on yourself in a year! You are what I believe the picture of strong and sexy is, you look FANTASTIC! This is what I need to see to motivate me to get to the next level. Recomp, here I come!

yolo9752

You should be VERY proud of yourself! Congrats!!!

bbontheb

I read your post on the other page. Wow, I'm amazed. I'm about the same height, size, weight. I liked reading that you have a problem with moderation as I do so I know I have to be more strict with my diet. I would like to hear more details on how it went! And I think you are an example of a fit, strong, beautiful woman and I don't think you have more to lose (as you noted on the other post). What an inspiration! Congrats.

SrMaggalicious

Your hammies are BANGIN'!!! And such a beautiful woman. Congratulations!!

Lebatsirk

WOW! Thanks so much for this. It's come at just the right time for me.

I too started off my journey wearing a size 20 and I'm down to a comfortable 16 (and occasionally 14) now. I've lost 3 stone over the past year but since Easter I've been out of action having physio and I've lost my way with both logging on MFP and exercising.

This post is just the motivation I need to get back into it again. Whilst I know there's no way I'll ever be a size 8 (I was only ever that small in my early teens) I know from experience I can get to a small 12 and I'm going to keep checking back on this post when I need a kick up the backside!

Thank you - and well done on such an amazing transformation! You look incredibly healthy and strong which is what I want too. :-)

GenElizabeth

Thanks a million everyone, it's hard work but it's worth it!

Here is a very humble photo of what I use in my home, right where I use it, for those asking what my set up looks like. I have a nice, big window, my milk crate, a basic bench and some free weights! Just start picking up heavy stuff and do it consistently!

GenElizabeth

StephyA86 wrote: »

I so needed to see this today! I lost 70lbs a few years back with solely cardio, and it didn't stay off (why I'm back, lol). I am trying the strength training route this time and was starting to doubt if it was the right move. Seeing your before and afters has reconfirmed I'm on the right track! Great job!

I also lost this weight (60-70lbs) in 2010 with cardio only and from stress but put it all back on in less than a year... Complete difference in the ending result that time vs this time around! Back then, I was just simply a smaller version of the big me. This time, it's all about recomposition: lowering body fat and increasing muscle, filling it in, in all the right places.

Fitwarrior7_Round_2

Great job!

GenElizabeth

NextPage wrote: »

Wow - you look stunning. Thank you for posting your routine. I have been doing similar lbs and exercises and have been trying to get to the "heavy lifting" category but I'm not getting there as fast as I thought. However, you show that medium weights, challenging yourself and perfecting form do pay off.

Thank you!

"Heavy lifting", as far as I'm concerned, is what is heavy to YOU. I always thought for awhile that I wasn't lifting "heavy" enough.... but I actually am.

jamie_lee80

You look incredible!!! I just started adding strength to all of my cardio and now I am super happy that I did! Thank you for some added motivation!!

jesiann2014

You worked very hard and it shows! LOVE seeing these awesome success stories. Strengthened not only your body but your confidence and longevity is outta the park!

oedipa_maas

You look phenomenal! So much hard work put in. Bravo!

Watch_Me_Rise

You're amazing and look incredible!! The hard work shows

spunkypug100

rayw89 wrote: »

You are the image of health! You didn't just get thin, you got FIT. You look awesome!

This!! You look awesome, way to go!

Barbs2222

You're and inspiration, I'm going to keep a lookout for some used weights. You look great!

chantalie2015

Wow u look great. U are such an inspiration.

jharris1378

GenElizabeth wrote: »

Hello MFPers!

I am 33 years old and 5'3". I started this difficult journey in Jan of 2014 at 205lbs and I had JUST hit a size 20!!! In Dec 2014, I got down to a size 8 and around 135lbs! I feel great and am loving who I am becoming now! I'm learning a TON and meeting a lot of great people in the process.

I came across MFP in June of last year. I have kept a moderate calorie deficit pretty consistently (500 or so each day), with my carbs and protein around 100g each while lifting weights regularly (in my home with my own collected equipment), 5-6 times/week. I didn't do much cardio, as I don't enjoy it. I do run on occasion though. I feel empowered now and I absolutely LOVE strength training! Planning to take new progress pics at the end of June so I'm looking forward to that.

Here is my story so far on realbodiesrealresults.com. Feel free to check it out!
realbodiesrealresults.com/gen.html

Best wishes to you all, anything is possible if you don't give up!

Wow!! You look amazing. Great job

GenElizabeth

jamie_lee80 wrote: »

You look incredible!!! I just started adding strength to all of my cardio and now I am super happy that I did! Thank you for some added motivation!!

That's awesome! You will love it!!

Thanks everyone.

estherlion

Wow! You look beautiful! Can you share how many calories you eat and did you notice a metabolism boost (where you can eat more calories) once you hit the weights?

Rockin2014

Omg. You look stunning! Very inspiring!!!

GenElizabeth

estherlion wrote: »

Wow! You look beautiful! Can you share how many calories you eat and did you notice a metabolism boost (where you can eat more calories) once you hit the weights?

From Jan to Dec 2014, I was between 1200-1300 cals per day. Being a stay at home mom, with my daughter in grade school, I tend to be very sedentary and I am also short so I do not do well with a high calorie diet or a high amount of carbs (stayed around 100-120g carbs per day). If I worked full time or were on my feet all day, I would've required more calories but that wasn't my case. My energy levels were fine also, as I focused on the quality of my calories, making sure to get in at least 100g protein and 25g fiber per day, as well as important vitamins and nutrients.

However, after having lost most of the weight in Dec, I started my first gym membership and started eating more... Too much more, lol! I was up to around 1800 cals/day and I was gaining body fat, even though I was still lifting and working out. It was just too many cals for me, living a mostly sedentary lifestyle.

I am currently working on losing what I gained over the first few months of the year. I am currently eating 1300-1400 cals per day and lifting 5-6 days a week still... I live sore but I love it.

Pammeycakes55

I'd like to add my "Great job, you look amazing", comment! This is what I have been wanting to do. I have been working out at a health club and the routine the trainer put me on was mainly "weight machines". I have lost 32 lbs, but now I feel strong enough to move on to "free weights". I'm not as young as all of you, but you have given me even more motivation to do this. I will be seeing my trainer next Wednesday for a whole new routine. Thanks for your posting. You are such a beautiful young woman and very inspiring!

GenElizabeth

Thank you pammeycakes55! ^^ I am excited for you and your new work out, it's an awesome feeling to know we are indeed progressing. Good job!

hotnumber

Wow you like look great! Doesn't even look like the same person

ar9179

Holy Mother of Pearl! That's the body I imagine for myself! I have similar starting stats and am starting my 5th month of deficit and almost my 3rd of heavy lifting. I hope I look like you by the end of the year!

@Pammeycakes55 I'm 45 and tried heavy lifting for the first time, ever, this past Feb. It has changed both my mental outlook and my physical appearance for the better. You won't regret taking the plunge.

kristenlarkin

Wow, you look amazing! I went from a 24 to an 8 and look nothing like that. I really need to work out!

NewLIFEstyle4ME

GenElizabeth wrote: »

Thanks a million everyone, it's hard work but it's worth it!

Here is a very humble photo of what I use in my home, right where I use it, for those asking what my set up looks like. I have a nice, big window, my milk crate, a basic bench and some free weights! Just start picking up heavy stuff and do it consistently!

GenElizabeth wrote: »

estherlion wrote: »

Wow! You look beautiful! Can you share how many calories you eat and did you notice a metabolism boost (where you can eat more calories) once you hit the weights?

From Jan to Dec 2014, I was between 1200-1300 cals per day. Being a stay at home mom, with my daughter in grade school, I tend to be very sedentary and I am also short so I do not do well with a high calorie diet or a high amount of carbs (stayed around 100-120g carbs per day). If I worked full time or were on my feet all day, I would've required more calories but that wasn't my case. My energy levels were fine also, as I focused on the quality of my calories, making sure to get in at least 100g protein and 25g fiber per day, as well as important vitamins and nutrients.

However, after having lost most of the weight in Dec, I started my first gym membership and started eating more... Too much more, lol! I was up to around 1800 cals/day and I was gaining body fat, even though I was still lifting and working out. It was just too many cals for me, living a mostly sedentary lifestyle.

I am currently working on losing what I gained over the first few months of the year. I am currently eating 1300-1400 cals per day and lifting 5-6 days a week still... I live sore but I love it.

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh....you're a SUPERSTAR, period. Mega W W---mere words can't quite describe how inspirational, encouraging and fabulous you and your post are to me.

P.S. WWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWW