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

rhonda6375

you look great! Do you have any recommendations for building up your calves? When I was thin before, my calves were always too small in proportion to the rest of my body. I cannot do squats and lunges because of bad knees.

JustaJoe00

Thanks for sharing!

cozyirishlass

WOW!! Amazing work!!! You are such an inspiration! What did your diet look like? How much protein/fat/carbs in a day? And what was your calorie total, as you used a deficit? Thank you in advance for the info!

shellz87

Wow your hard work has paid off!

brillmer87

@GenElizabeth
Welp, that's an amazing transformation.
You totally look like Alyssa Milano in one of the pics!

bumblebeez86

You look Just Great not only transformed your body but your face has completely changed too

Cifucanguess

@GenElizabeth I just found this post and read all of them from May 2015 to now. Congratulations on your bundle of joy! When you log your exercises do you log them under "strength" or "cardio"? They may sound like a silly question but I've always wanted to ask someone how are they doing it.

pregmeg119

Hot damn! Look at all that muscle! You look stunning, happy and strong! Way to go!

GenElizabeth

Appreciate the love all.

@rhonda6375: Personally, I didn't do any calve work in specific. I wore heels though for many years prior so I'm sure that contributed to the lower leg definition for me. I did eventually start doing some incline treadmill towards the end. The higher the incline, the more the calves are recruited also. Swimming is a great overall leg exercise for bad joints too. Maybe try that or walking and build yourself up to more. One can always do calve raises - seated or not.

@Cifucanguess: I always logged my exercise under "Cardio" in MFP. For awhile I was using the pre-generated amount of calories burned that it gave me (I found that while it almost always overestimated my burn, it was relatively close). Eventually, I got a Polar HRM and edited it as needed.

@cozyirishlass: The video below explains all of which you were asking. Please feel free to check it out! Hope it helps! I am very pregnant here so viewers beware - I have gained weight!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abasqdZRU3A

smileytree222

Thank you

Healthy67Chick

Bump

momamia3

I have been fallow ing this post for some time. I love to see all the positive feedback. And it's great how you answer questions and give advice... I have subscribed to your you tube videos... and have watched them many times... congrats on baby..I too am a March birthday.and so is my 2nd son...

GenElizabeth

@momamia3: Glad to hear you are watching the videos! Love that. I, myself, am also a March baby!! Lots of us. 33 weeks along at this point so it's getting closer, it's very exciting! All the best to you.

ironhajee

Great efforts! You inspire!

Alysia82

Thank you for sharing this

alynxx2016

OMG amazing!

billbraskey

That body is on a whole-nuvva-levvoe!!!!

robingmurphy

I am totally inspired by this. You were pretty in your before pictures ... but you are holy *kitten* rockin' amazing in your afters!

DWBalboa

Just amazing, thank you so much for sharing. It is always great to see others and their successes. Absolutely inspirational!

jennalennafur

Yep. That's it. I'm going to start weight training. Thanks for sharing, you look amazing!

polie1

You look amazing ... Thanks for sharing!

JacquelineB71

arditarose wrote: »

Nice! I have similar stats to you, but your legs are bangin'

jessiruthica wrote: »

Check you out! Amazing transformation! I don't want to be weird, but you have an amazing butt!

Wow! I'm looking forward to showing some visible progress this summer

slimbettie

your pics always inspire me...thanks for sharing. you are now where i want to be in a year

shellybelly395

I am petite too at 5ft 2. I've reached 137lb but struggle with my abs. Any advice on ab workouts would be great
Thanks
Michelle

GenElizabeth

Thanks all.

@shellybelly395: Having "abs" is a matter of lowering your overall body fat. They are usually the very last to see but if you stick to a healthy diet and work your abs regularly, you WILL see them, in time. You can do it! Just keep going!

Being 5'3" myself, I still didn't see my abs, even at 129lbs. Might've been 115-120lbs for me but I got preggers so I'll have to wait and see, lol! It's different for everyone but if you keep your protein high, keep your work outs intense and be consistent, you'll get there for sure.

GenElizabeth

As far as exercises for abs go, there are countless ways to work them. Even squats (if done properly), work your ab muscles. I would google ab exercises and see what you can find that best suits you.

I have had 2 c-sections (with a 3rd coming up in 3 weeks) so doing strenuous or isolated movements in that area was difficult for me. I stuck with exercises like squats, deadlifts, weighted step ups and stuff like that to best incorporate my abdominal muscles.

Best of luck!

Txgal555

rayw89 wrote: »

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

I was just thinking the same. You look absolutely amazing. I don't know you and iam already proud of my MFP fellow. Keep it up

backontheattack

wow! awesome job!!

Angellaree

Awesome results, way to go!

jennalennafur

Wow! That much change in just a year? That's so amazing and also encouraging since I just started weight training three weeks ago. Thanks for sharing, you look awesome!