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
    edited October 2016
    Thank you so much ladies. @renae161 and @leahkathleen13

    @DeidreNix, congrats on your new little one! Weight training really is great. I wouldn't worry too much about your supply, you should be fine as long as you're eating accordingly. Best wishes to you, you can do this! And thank you so much. :smile:
  • Cifucanguess
    Cifucanguess Posts: 175 Member
    kirstinethornburg wrote: »
    Wow so excited for you. In 11 years times I went from 290 pounds wearing a size 28 to 225 and wearing a size 12 and working on getting back to a size 10 and weighing 163 is my goal

    May I ask how tall are you?
  • MoonOverMyHammies7
    MoonOverMyHammies7 Posts: 587 Member
    Wow you are my hero and motivation. I have been thinking I need to do strength training for a while. For one I can not do a lot of cardio due to a bum ankle (from major car accident) being fused a few years ago. I can not run now :( not that I ever did before. I have been watching my son who is a wrestler and he put on tons of muscle this summer and now he struggles to keep his weight on due to a faster metabolism with all the muscle. Last year he would have to cut weight for wrestling and I felt it was unhealthy at times. Now he needs to gain and maintain and eat eat eat. You look STRONG I love it.
  • tesha_chandler
    tesha_chandler Posts: 378 Member
    I needed this inspiration today!
  • katanips
    katanips Posts: 6 Member
    You look great! Looking into getting into strength training myself so love to see successful results !
  • greenbaymichele
    greenbaymichele Posts: 8 Member
    Amazing!!!
  • Serenade_N
    Serenade_N Posts: 152 Member
    Discipline sacrifice patience and consistency.
    Your share has truly helped me
    Stay and keep at this journey of strength training. Patience has been a huge thing and one of the most challenging.
    You've helped me keep focussed Gen Elizabeth.
    A million Thank yous!
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    jcrav77 wrote: »
    Wow you are my hero and motivation. I have been thinking I need to do strength training for a while. For one I can not do a lot of cardio due to a bum ankle (from major car accident) being fused a few years ago. I can not run now :( not that I ever did before. I have been watching my son who is a wrestler and he put on tons of muscle this summer and now he struggles to keep his weight on due to a faster metabolism with all the muscle. Last year he would have to cut weight for wrestling and I felt it was unhealthy at times. Now he needs to gain and maintain and eat eat eat. You look STRONG I love it.

    Thank you. Strength training really is so great for so many reasons. I hope you do start! All the best to you and your son! :smile:

  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    Thank you so much everyone. Your responses help me to keep going!!! I've lost 25lbs so far after having my baby, who will be 8 months already in just a few days. Where does the time go?!

    My progress has been much slower this time around but SO rewarding at the same time. It's been very challenging to get into a routine, get work outs done and log my food but that's ok. I try to remember that there is a season for everything and we need to just keep trying our best each day.

    It's always super encouraging to hear from you all!! Thank you, have a great week and a great thanksgiving! :smile:
  • BBHM123
    BBHM123 Posts: 3 Member
    OMG.... INSPIRING.....YOU ROCK.....HOT
  • embraceyourinnerbeauty
    embraceyourinnerbeauty Posts: 221 Member
    So Inspiring! Hope one day I can look as good as this
  • Paschen81
    Paschen81 Posts: 151 Member
    :o wow. I'm currently a size 24 and would be in disbelief to find myself a size 8. I've never been smaller than a 14! What an amazing job! You are an inspiration. I really need to add strength training to my cardio... I love walking... I get my ears on and just go. It's a good escape for me from the stresses of the day. My dog enjoys it too lol.
  • Madux1818
    Madux1818 Posts: 307 Member
    Beautiful dress!
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    Paschen81 wrote: »
    :o wow. I'm currently a size 24 and would be in disbelief to find myself a size 8. I've never been smaller than a 14! What an amazing job! You are an inspiration. I really need to add strength training to my cardio... I love walking... I get my ears on and just go. It's a good escape for me from the stresses of the day. My dog enjoys it too lol.

    That's awesome, Paschen81. Walking is great too! I love dogs, I have 4 German Shepherds. :wink:

    I always say this, but strength training has so many benefits! And I should really say resistance training because calisthenics (bodyweight exercises), bands, balancing exercises, sports, like rock climbing, obstacle courses and 5k's are all really great things to do too.

    I found my love in lifting weights though so that's what I did and where I have my experience. The point is, you'll be successful and it will be extremely rewarding if you find what you enjoy and pursue it wholeheartedly! :heart:

    All the best to you.

    Thanks everyone!
  • mila_lova
    mila_lova Posts: 163 Member
    I want to change my strength training routine to be more like yours. You said that you do 4-5 exercises for lower body and 4-5 for upper body every day. Do you do different exercises every day? If so, how do you choose which exercises? Are there some exercises you do daily?

    You are incredible and a true healthy inspiration. I wanted to get down to the lowest possible weight for my height, but now that I've read your story I've realized that I want to be STRONG like you are. Strong is so much sexier than just weighing nothing. You look like you should be on tv. I don't want to be a smaller version of the heavy me, I want to build muscle.
  • FitMom662
    FitMom662 Posts: 12 Member
    amazing! you are so inspiring!
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    edited December 2016
    mila_lova wrote: »
    I want to change my strength training routine to be more like yours. You said that you do 4-5 exercises for lower body and 4-5 for upper body every day. Do you do different exercises every day? If so, how do you choose which exercises? Are there some exercises you do daily?

    You are incredible and a true healthy inspiration. I wanted to get down to the lowest possible weight for my height, but now that I've read your story I've realized that I want to be STRONG like you are. Strong is so much sexier than just weighing nothing. You look like you should be on tv. I don't want to be a smaller version of the heavy me, I want to build muscle.

    Hello mila,

    Thank you so much for your comment. I'm flattered and very happy to hear that you want to start building that muscle! My little one is just getting over being sick here so we've recently had a rough time.. But I wanted to be sure I responded to your questions. :smile:

    I will usually stick with the same exercises for awhile but I do switch things up quite a bit, I think because I get bored easily, lol.. I try to stick with compound exercises to be the bulk of my work out, no matter what though. When choosing exercises, I go with ones that focus on larger muscle groups like the glutes, hamstrings and shoulders. Squats and Over head press are great staple exercises that I do regularly. I don't do isolated core work ever for example, but that's just my preference. I've had 3 C-sections and sometimes it bothers me during exercise so I avoid extra stress on my abdominal muscles.

    Daily exercises (or exercises I do at every work out) would include over head press, squats (I hate them right now) and tricep extensions. :wink:

    All the best to you, you totally got this. :heart:

    @FitMom662 Thank you so much. :smile:
  • jswigart
    jswigart Posts: 167 Member
    Nice job! You look incredible! J
  • starcrystal3
    starcrystal3 Posts: 91 Member
    Simply amazing. You are an inspiration!
  • tomk8
    tomk8 Posts: 27 Member
    You look wonderful!!
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    @jswigart
    @starcrystal3
    @tomk8

    Thank you so much, guys! :heart:

    For those who may be feeling down in the dumps and needing some motivation, here are some of my thoughts on perspective and how to navigate life's challenges, empowering you to reach your weight loss goals. I hope you guys check it out and are encouraged.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPNDpEvjFwg
  • mila_lova
    mila_lova Posts: 163 Member
    GenElizabeth wrote: »
    mila_lova wrote: »
    I want to change my strength training routine to be more like yours. You said that you do 4-5 exercises for lower body and 4-5 for upper body every day. Do you do different exercises every day? If so, how do you choose which exercises? Are there some exercises you do daily?

    You are incredible and a true healthy inspiration. I wanted to get down to the lowest possible weight for my height, but now that I've read your story I've realized that I want to be STRONG like you are. Strong is so much sexier than just weighing nothing. You look like you should be on tv. I don't want to be a smaller version of the heavy me, I want to build muscle.

    Hello mila,

    Thank you so much for your comment. I'm flattered and very happy to hear that you want to start building that muscle! My little one is just getting over being sick here so we've recently had a rough time.. But I wanted to be sure I responded to your questions. :smile:

    I will usually stick with the same exercises for awhile but I do switch things up quite a bit, I think because I get bored easily, lol.. I try to stick with compound exercises to be the bulk of my work out, no matter what though. When choosing exercises, I go with ones that focus on larger muscle groups like the glutes, hamstrings and shoulders. Squats and Over head press are great staple exercises that I do regularly. I don't do isolated core work ever for example, but that's just my preference. I've had 3 C-sections and sometimes it bothers me during exercise so I avoid extra stress on my abdominal muscles.

    Daily exercises (or exercises I do at every work out) would include over head press, squats (I hate them right now) and tricep extensions. :wink:

    All the best to you, you totally got this. :heart:

    @FitMom662 Thank you so much. :smile:

    I'm sorry to hear that your little one was sick. I'm glad they're feeling better! Thank you SO much for answering my question! Also, I love your video! Thank you for inspiring me!!!!
  • Wife2MrPerfect
    Wife2MrPerfect Posts: 16 Member
    Wow! You've accomplished so much. Congratulations on all of your hard work. You are such a motivating and kind person!!
    I wish you all the success!
    Very beautiful inside and out!!

    Ps -in one of your pictures you immediately reminded me of Alyssa Milano!
  • richardpkennedy1
    richardpkennedy1 Posts: 1,890 Member
    More muscle than I have. Great job!
  • thatgirl_blue
    thatgirl_blue Posts: 9 Member
    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. :)

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

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    Wow! You look amazing! Congrats and thanks for the inspiration.
  • bmhooks
    bmhooks Posts: 2 Member
    Great job, how many calories do you have per day?
  • Noreenmarie1234
    Noreenmarie1234 Posts: 7,492 Member
    WOWOWOWOW YOU LOOK INCREDIBLE!!!!
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    edited December 2016
    Thanks so much everyone. I hope you guys are doing great! I am excited for the baby's first Christmas coming up. It's truly a special time for me. :heart:

    I also love getting ready for the New Year, as I started my journey in January (2014). :smiley: I'm sure we all want to have more energy and feel better about the way we look. I often need extra motivation to work out every day and/or accountability to stick to my exercise and meal plan.

    Wishing you ALL a great rest of your week!
    bmhooks wrote: »
    Great job, how many calories do you have per day?

    Thank you. My calories were set according to my age, height, weight, activity level and other things. My lifestyle at that time was sedentary and I'm 5'3". Your actual calories will depend on those things as well and it's best to find your own number.

    When I was using MFP and working out at home, I was eating between 1200-1300 calories *with a focus on adequate protein, moderate carbs and extra fiber*. That's important to note because one can eat a different type of that many calories and end up with a completely different result. There is a bit more to it than just a certain amount of calories.

    Good luck to you, I hope that helps you out!

    [edited by MFP Mods]
  • Catherine360
    Catherine360 Posts: 11 Member
    Well done you truly look amazing and I would kill to have legs like yours :smile:

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