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

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Replies

  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    vikinglander wrote: »
    Wow! You look like two different people! I like the symbolism of the curvier you in front of a table of cupcakes, and the slimmer you in gym clothes...Great Job!! Enjoy the new YOU!

    I like that you chose to use the word "curvier"... Lol, smart man. :lol: Thank you so much for the kind words!
  • Javachipgirl
    Javachipgirl Posts: 27 Member
    I'm 5'3" and 194 today. I'm 47. I'm scared of failure and saved your post because you inspire me. Thank you!
  • Mandygring
    Mandygring Posts: 704 Member
    Wow, you look great!
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    @Mandygring: Thank you!!
  • amammaa4
    amammaa4 Posts: 176 Member
    I was in dire need of something to motivate me to start again. I logged onto MFP after being gone for months yesterday and I clicked success stories and there was yours. It was exactly what I needed to get me going again. I went right to the gym after reading your story. I'm 42 and 5' and I need to lose 75-80 pounds. I belong to a gym where I feel very intimidated in the weights section. To me, my gym is where people go to get more muscle not lose weight, but I'm going to work on that and get right in with those muscle guys and lift my weights. I look forward to reading all the comments here and seeing your reccomendations on weight training. Thank you so much for sharing your pictures and story. I hope one day I can do for someone what you've done for me.
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    amammaa4 wrote: »
    I was in dire need of something to motivate me to start again. I logged onto MFP after being gone for months yesterday and I clicked success stories and there was yours. It was exactly what I needed to get me going again. I went right to the gym after reading your story. I'm 42 and 5' and I need to lose 75-80 pounds. I belong to a gym where I feel very intimidated in the weights section. To me, my gym is where people go to get more muscle not lose weight, but I'm going to work on that and get right in with those muscle guys and lift my weights. I look forward to reading all the comments here and seeing your reccomendations on weight training. Thank you so much for sharing your pictures and story. I hope one day I can do for someone what you've done for me.

    Thank you so much for your comment, I'm happy to share. I LOVE that you feel inspired. After you go to the gym and use the weight section a few times, you'll get used to it and be owning it soon enough! I wish you the very best on your journey. You CAN do this, I hope you're doing well. :heart:
  • blackchick46
    blackchick46 Posts: 27 Member
    wow you did great and you look great also
  • Liftheavylovehard
    Liftheavylovehard Posts: 5,393 Member
    Wow you look amazing! congrats!
  • terenceadavenport4265
    terenceadavenport4265 Posts: 146 Member
    Awesome job! Very inspiring to everyone! Your hard work really paid off.
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    Thank you so much everyone!
  • akilia112010
    akilia112010 Posts: 46 Member
    You're still looking awesome. I was just told that I may pcos which would explain why calorie counting and exercise hasn't been a big success for me since I've started MFP almost 2 month ago now. Such a inspiration! Congrats!
  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    You look amazing. I love the progress you've made in just 5 months!

    During your pregnancy did you count calories and continue lifting?
  • Spin533
    Spin533 Posts: 44 Member
    Hi GenElizabeth,

    Well done :)
    Did you use kettlebells at all and what weight you use?
    Thanks
  • Morglem
    Morglem Posts: 377 Member
    You are beautiful inside and out. What a life story! I love you and I don't even know you. I'm starting this again and definitely following your tips. May God continue to bless your life in abundance. YOU ROCK!
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    akilia112010 wrote: »
    You're still looking awesome. I was just told that I may pcos which would explain why calorie counting and exercise hasn't been a big success for me since I've started MFP almost 2 month ago now. Such a inspiration! Congrats!

    Hi akilia. Thank you so much. I don't know much about PCOS but I have seen how improved nutrition and exercise really does help with many other conditions. I'd encourage you to keep up the good fight by continuing to use MFP (and lifts weights!!). Hang in there! :)

  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    Queenmunchy wrote: »
    You look amazing. I love the progress you've made in just 5 months!

    During your pregnancy did you count calories and continue lifting?

    Hello Queen! And thank you so much! :)

    Unfortunately, I have to say that I did not track calories or continue working out during my pregnancy (maybe a handful of times but mostly did not). When we found out, it was unexpected news so I had a lot of "adjusting" to do.. We decided to move (an hour away) to a smaller home, my daughter switched schools and there was a lot going on really fast. We didn't have gas hooked up for cooking for the first two months.. On top of all that change, I was EXTREMELY emotional the ENTIRE pregnancy, lol so that didn't help when it came to making good food choices. All I wanted was carbs and sweets... and comfort. Sometimes life is just HARD. Lol

    Even 2 months pp, I was struggling with intense emotions, probably crazy hormones and a lot of stress. Things have settled down so much now though, feeling like all of that has evened itself out for the most part and I am back to lifting weights 3-4 days/week. I try to log my food when I can but I still find that I struggle for time for that so I just try to use what I've learned in the past regarding weighing food, potion sizes and reading labels. It's working pretty well so far! I am trying to slowly log more and more days though.

    It just really does go to show that even through all the ups and downs in life, and there are many (even a very looong pregnancy lol), you can always get back to investing into your self improvement. I love fitness and what it does for me physically, mentally and emotionally. It's never too late for ANYONE to start or to get back in it. :heart:

    Thanks for your comment and letting me answer that question!!!
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    Morglem wrote: »
    You are beautiful inside and out. What a life story! I love you and I don't even know you. I'm starting this again and definitely following your tips. May God continue to bless your life in abundance. YOU ROCK!

    How awesome are you, Morglem!! Thank you so much. :heart: I'm so happy to hear that, thank you. God really is good. :smile:
  • Spin533
    Spin533 Posts: 44 Member
    Hi there,
    You prob missed my message :)
    Did you use kettlebells at all?

    Thanks
  • BaconSan2
    BaconSan2 Posts: 260 Member
    WOW! You are amazing & those legs!
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    edited October 2016
    Spin533 wrote: »
    Hi there,
    You prob missed my message :)
    Did you use kettlebells at all?

    Thanks

    Oops, yes I did. Lol, it was early! I have a 25lb kettlebell but never really got into using it much, to be honest. When I did use it, I would use it for bent over rows. :smile:
  • Constant_Nova
    Constant_Nova Posts: 108 Member
    edited October 2016
    Hi! You look amazing and those legs tho!!!!!

    Im 44 lbs down with about 75 more to go and Ive been lifting weights but the kicker, I'm 5'1. Do you suggest more weight training than cardio? I tend to do alot more cardio and I'm seeing my numbers drop but my composition isnt changing too much......
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    edited October 2016
    Constant_Nova wrote: »
    Hi! You look amazing and those legs tho!!!!!

    Im 44 lbs down with about 75 more to go and Ive been lifting weights but the kicker, I'm 5'1. Do you suggest more weight training than cardio? I tend to do alot more cardio and I'm seeing my numbers drop but my composition isnt changing too much......

    Thank you!!! :blush:

    Congrats on the 44lbs down, that is AWESOME. And yes! I do suggest more weight training than cardio, 100%, for sure, all the way. :wink: Cardio will do nothing in terms of changing your shape. You will just end up a smaller version of your current self but with no real change to your curves. Cardio is good for heart and lung health though and for improved endurance.

    I rarely did cardio at all when I lost weight and even now. I LOVE lifting weights. The benefits are endless! Especially us as women. We need to maintain as much muscle mass as we can because as we get older, we tend lose it.

    Keep up the awesome work with weights. I'd even suggest skipping the cardio altogether (unless you also just love doing it) and focus on weight training. Lift heavy and have the bulk of your workout be compound exercises. Such as squats, deadlifts, glute bridge, step ups, over head press, rows, etc..

    I hope that helps!! You can do it, you're well on your way. :heart:

  • renae161
    renae161 Posts: 334 Member
    You look so pretty before and after. Congratulations on your success, you did a fantastic job! :)
  • DeidreNix
    DeidreNix Posts: 8 Member
    GenElizabeth wrote: »
    Hi everyone. So, it's been 7 months since I had my baby boy.. Although this is hard for me to post, I wanted to share the progress I've made so far with you guys. :blush:

    Highest weight during this pregnancy was 187lbs (I'm 5'3") and at 2 months pp, I was still 180lbs. I am currently at 157lbs and losing around 1lb/week. I have just been doing some light weight lifting in my home a couple times a week. I just joined Planet Fitness a couple days though so I'm super excited about that! I try to log my food every day but with the baby and my newly, hectic schedule, sometimes I am not able to but I am still mindful of what I eat. I am still nursing also so I'm not worried about losing weight too fast right now.

    The before is 2 months pp at 180lbs and the after is current at 7 months pp so 5 months between, and down 23lbs with roughly 20-25lbs more to go. There is no big secret to weight loss. Just discipline, sacrifice, consistency and patience. I hope this inspire those new mamas out there to keep going!!! :heart:

    Have a great night everyone!

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    @GenElizabeth You are my spirit animal! I'm a little over 8 months PP with my second child, nursing, and just starting strength training/lifting. So, I'm starting slow and trying not to jeopardize my "supply." Your post is so inspirational and motivating. I'm a little heavier than you, at ~230lbs 5'5", so I'm aiming to lose at least 50lbs, maybe more. Just want to make sure my body is strong and healthy to be able to keep up with my ever active kiddos and set a good example for them. Keep up the good work!
  • leahkathleen13
    leahkathleen13 Posts: 272 Member
    Amazing job! Truly inspirational!
  • Madux1818
    Madux1818 Posts: 307 Member
    Hi Gen, I love it when you post, especially being a busy mum, so thank you. Does your planet fitness have all you need for strength training because the one by me only has cardio equipment?
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    edited October 2016
    Madux1818 wrote: »
    Hi Gen, I love it when you post, especially being a busy mum, so thank you. Does your planet fitness have all you need for strength training because the one by me only has cardio equipment?

    Hi Madux! Thank you for your comment.

    A gym without weights?!?! That's craziness! Yes, my Planet Fitness has everything I need. Free weights, machines, cardio equipment, massage and of course tanning with even more than that. :wink:

    I would quickly forget about that Planet Fitness you're in and find a place with free weights and maybe some machines. Honestly though, you don't even need a gym at all! I worked out at home my first year and a half or so with free just weights (lost 75lbs) and I have also lost my first 23lbs after having my baby just by working at home and getting back on track with food. Gyms are awesome though so of course, your preference!!!

    I'm actually working on a video for you guys (have had a lot of requests) on what I did, "beginner style" using just a pair of dumbbells. :smile:

    Focus on compound exercises always though - whether at home or in the gym. Best of luck! :heart:

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