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

CaSsCuTeRz · May 2016

Wow you look amazing! Congrats on your achievements!

GenElizabeth · May 2016

Anything is possible if you don't give up!

I'm super excited about starting another challenge next week and to start making changes. Challenges help keep me motivated! The accountability, knowing that someone cares and will be checking on my progress, is so helpful. I wouldn't have lost any of the weight that I did last year without the girls in my group. They are all awesome!

I want to lose around 40lbs, maaaaybe 50 by the end of the year.. Little one is 2 months old now and my goal requires time so I have to get on it!! No one motivates us for us, we have to find our own motivation every single day.

Just curious how you all find your motivation? What do you love about this journey, what do you hate? Do you have any questions? I would love to help if I can!

Happy Monday, everyone.

mmjclark04 · May 2016

I spent an hour reading this thread. This is my part of my motivation! You transformed your body and look fabulous! I started at 233 46 days ago and hit 20lbs lost today. I've 'dieted' before but always quit. This time I don't really have a reason other than I'm ready to be thin. I have NEVER been thin. I keep a pretty large deficit and do 30 Day Shred 6 days a week. I have 4 kids and I'm a stay at home mom so watching them 'watch me' get healthy is also a good motivator. I'm so excited to see my body change. At first it changed quickly even though I was only losing 1 or 2 pounds a week. Now I can't see much of a change but last week I lost 6lbs. I'm afraid of the plateaus that will surely come because I don't want to be discouraged. I don't have a 'hate' yet...I'm still enjoying all the newness...I think mostly I have fears. Fears of plateaus, hanging skin, and fears of putting it back on even though I'm learning so much. I also get discouraged when I think about how long this will take but I'm committed! Can I friend you?

GenElizabeth · May 2016

@mmjclark04: Of course you can friend me!

I love your response and I'm excited for your life change! Great job so far, I love it!

frankiesgirlie · May 2016

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!

I just started weight training at home, and seeing your "set up" made me feel like I'm on the right track, because it looks exactly like mine!!

You look so fantastic. It just motivates me to keep going. Thank you, thank you.

claudPolo · May 2016

I've seen a lot of questions about the training so I'd like to ask what your nutrition looks like Ina typical day!

Wonderful job!

glfernandes828 · June 2016

Wow you look incredible! Definitely an inspiration. I love weight training but I only do it 1-2x per week because I'm trying a low carb diet so I try only to eat carbs on the day I weight train. Otherwise I stick to a high protein/fat and low carb meal plan. What do you think about that? Is that a good idea or should I switch to weight training more and eat more carbs in general? I'm currently 117 lbs and 5'1 and only want to lose about 4 lbs but I want to tone, like your legs and abs! Advice?

sufiingenuous · June 2016

Hi! That's amazing....I just checked out your success story....I m 38 and 5'7" tall..... N I weigh 211 pounds.... I have lost weight successfully many times in past but get back to becoming careless and without workout I manage to get back to current weight.... now I m.trying to do it slow n.gradual so it can be a regular habit n.part of lifestyle for life rather then short term goal. But now I seriously need help. I want to know more about strength training not from a gym or anybody using it for commercial purpose but from someone who did it n was successful at it.... I m a surgeon too n.now though I am on.vacations but I.have while working huge problem.to.find time..... time s a,luxury in my profession. So I need your honest advice and help. I m already doing calorie counting n trying to create a,deficit with one in four days a chest day...but I guess it's easier n.better in.long term to incorporate exercise in creating calorie deficit.... need help..... need sound advice.... help

DanniPants6 · June 2016

Way to get it girl, woooooow .

Navallez · June 2016

I am just in awe of your success. I have gone through many of your posts a few times just to right down some of your tips. I am 300+ lbs. and have been for half of my life. I am now 46 and want to live the rest of my life in a healthy body. I want to be able to keep up with my grandkids, I want to where a nice dress without a cover up over it. I want to wear nice heels, I want to be able to breath normally after a flight of stairs, I want to be able to tie my shoe laces in one try, I want to be able to put my socks on without sweating, I want to walk a marathon, I want to run, I want to live a happy life. Thank you for posting any advice will be greatly appreciated. Congrats you look awesome

ryoung664 · July 2016

You look awesome!! Great job!!

rhiannonarmstrong31 · July 2016

May I ask what your fat and muscle percentages are.?

AmyWebb2 · July 2016

Wow! To achieve that in one year is incredible. Great!!!!

GenElizabeth · July 2016

Thanks ladies! Consistency really is key. After having the baby though, consistency tends to be much harder for me, lol.. Still working on it and doing the best I can. Really enjoying my time with my little one.

@claudPolo: I focused on trying to eat as few packaged and processed things as possible. I quit all fast food and soda. I ate a lot of chicken breast, greek yogurt, chia seeds, ground flax seed, eggs, cheese, turkey sandwiches on fiber rich bread, etc.. All of my food eventually came from home and had to be prepared. I drank only water, took a multi vitamin each day, juiced on occasion and about 9 months into my journey, I added a protein shake per day.

@glfernandes828: Thank you! I love a lower carb diet personally. For me, low carb (around 100g/day) worked great and I worked out every day. Depending on body type and metabolism, one may or may not tolerate additional carbs. You can look into the different body types (I am an endomorph so fewer carbs are best for me) and see where you fit in, that could give you a little more insight into how many carbs would work the best for you. I would encourage you to left heavy, as heavy as you can, when you work out. I would also say if you love to work out, then go for it! You can work out every day, as long as you are giving the muscles a day off by alternating what you work on, on a given day. Instead of going low carb (not sure how low you mean), you could always incorporate carb cycling into your plan. That works great too but I would definitely exercise often, consistently and make sure it's HARD. The last bit is always the most difficult to get off, just keep at it and you will get there!!

@rhiannonarmstrong31: As far as the photos in my op, I'm not sure of my percentages there but right before my pregnancy in the fall of 2015, I was at 21% bf. My goal was 19% but fitness kind of took a back seat at that point, lol... BUT I am working on it again, one day at a time!

honorthecolors · July 2016

Good job beautiful!

carimiller7391 · July 2016

Thank you so very much for sharing your story here. I've heard different peoples points of views over the years of how much to lift. You are proof positive that I can start where I wanted to and reach my goal the same way you did. At this point in time, the gym is a bit intimidating, but I can do whatever I want in the privacy of my own home. Thanks for showing me that.

Congratulations on the new addition to your family. Your son is absolutely adorable.

debrahbeger · July 2016

You look great!!!!

MarietjieHoward · July 2016

Juanibear wrote: »

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 o

f 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!

I can't wait until I lose my weight like you I have 120 lbs to lose..... So far dropped 9lbs... The hard part it's my husband likes to go eat out alot,

Great job, it is amazing how much you achieved, you are an inspiration!!!
Would you mind sharing your routine, I have only just started with strength training about a month ago, and would like to do more.

mattreadfx · July 2016

wow
just wow

simon0000 · July 2016

Awesome work...

GenElizabeth · July 2016

Thanks guys!

@MarietjieHoward: Thank you. A general strength training routine that I would do is the following:

Lower body (3 sets of 10 reps) -
Barbell squats
Glute bridge
Weighted step ups

Upper body (3 sets of 10 reps) -
Barbell overhead press
Hammer curl to overhead press
Tricep extension
Bicep curl

Here is a video I made that shows how to do the exercises.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF5QIMq-Uzc

I want to do a video on cellulite also, since after the baby, I find that I'm dealing with my share, lol. The good news is, I know how to get rid of it naturally and I want to share that info with you guys too! Currently, I am doing just a body weight routine, focused on getting rid of that pesky cellulite, since I am just starting out again... basically, took the last year or so off (which was NOT a good idea, lol). Squats, glute bridge, step ups, leg lifts and chair push ups are included.

Everyone take care.

GenElizabeth · July 2016

Morning MFPers! Here are some simple, basic things you can do to help you beat your food cravings! What has helped you guys?? I'd love to hear them. Hope you all have a great weekend. More videos and info to come!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xyI7x9Nk6I

RandiNoelle · July 2016

You look AMAZING! I'm about to start a strength training program and your post is so inspiring!

Tara4boys · July 2016

OMG!!!! My start stats are nearly identical to yours. My jaw dropped! I have had this nagging in my head that I need to do more strength training and then I read all 22 pages of your story! WOW!!!! What an inspiration!!!

GenElizabeth · July 2016

Tara4boys wrote: »

OMG!!!! My start stats are nearly identical to yours. My jaw dropped! I have had this nagging in my head that I need to do more strength training and then I read all 22 pages of your story! WOW!!!! What an inspiration!!!

That's awesome! I hope you do start, you'll love it! And thanks so much!!

dakota341 · July 2016

WOW thanks for the inspiration!! You look amazing.

GenElizabeth · July 2016

Hey guys!

Here are some of the foods I ate to lose my weight. I get asked quite a bit what I ate and I talk about that here! Thanks for checking out my thread and my channel.

I appreciate it and I love talking to you guys. Have a great and safe weekend all!