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

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!