110 pound loss to a healthy weight in about a year

patesq

I think I'm ready for a final success story even though this will be a life long project. I started on this journey last July at 247 lbs at a BMI of 39.6. I am now down 110 lbs and at a BMI of 21.6. I started slowly doing cardio in the morning and evening. I added in weight training. My husband got me a FitBit to help track my exercise. I monitored my food carefully and religiously but did not deny myself anything; as long as it fit within my calorie goal, I could have it. Obviously there were some things I decided weren't worth the calories but I enjoyed Christmas cookies and have the occasional burger and onion rings.

I took my first measurements on August 13th last year and here's a comparison to a year later:
8/13/2015 8/13/2016
Waist 51" 28"
Thigh 29" 21.5"
Hips 49" 36"
Upper arm 16" 10.5"
Chest 48" 36.5"
Under chest 42" 31"

This shows me before the journey and a more recent picture:


This shows the pants I wore last summer (khakis) and the jeans that I just bought and had a little crying session in the dressing room when a size 2 fit:


I'm happy with where I am now. I am looking forward to increasing my strength; I really hope to be able to do a pullup at some point. I'm close but not quite there. I'm enjoying using my better health to be more active; we got season tickets to Busch Gardens for the first time this year and I love that I can walk all over the park, climbing hills and stairs, and keep up with our 16 year old daughter easily. We have also been to Water Country and I dared to wear a bikini and felt pretty good about it.

It's been odd to have to introduce myself to people that haven't seen me in a while. It's nice to realize that I've made such a significant change because I still have a hard time seeing it and don't think of myself as being a healthy weight.

One benefit I didn't realize would occur is that I can handle the summer weather more easily. I used to really detest the summer because of how unbearable the heat and humidity are where we live. Without that extra 110 lbs of insulation, I'm handling this summer much better, even the days where we have heat advisories. I still prefer winter weather but at least the summers are more bearable.

Anyway, I thought I'd share my journey and I hope everyone else finds success on theirs.

smkondy

You look fantastic!! Your story is very motivating-thanks for sharing

zarzawoman125

What an amazing story. It brought tears to my eyes because I'm inspired. Thanks for sharing.

RuthyLOL

You look amazing!! Do tell. What worked for you? How many calories did you eat each day? Thank you. Anything helps in the struggle.

lapierrecyclist

Wonderful! You've worked very hard for this and you look (and obviously feel) great! Congratulations!

Hyperbum

You look super! Congrats!

AliciaBerries

You look fabulous! Congrats

madseasons

WOWOWOW!!!!!!!!!! You are an inspiration! You look amazing!

jbatinker

OMG - you look great! Truly an inspiration.

150poundsofme

You were beautiful before and now still beautiful, just smaller! You really rocked it this year. I actually tore a picture out of a magazine with the model wearing a dress like you have on - very form fitting. You are my thinspiration. Congrats!!!!

kasaz

Wow, you look terrific. What a beautiful figure and wonderful how you're enjoying your new slim life.

AshSarahP

Congrats - well done! I'm inspired!

lujako

WOW! WGT!!

RBO1101

Thank you so much for sharing this. Your measurements are close to mine when I started and I am 23 lbs down. I would LOVE to get to your final weight. You have done a fantastic job! Can I ask what your height is?

ElvenToad

Look at that figure you've got!! You are seriously rocking that dress. You must feel amazing! Congratulations on your success, you have definitely earned it

Nightmare_Queen88

Congratulations. You look amazing. I know when I get to my goal weight I'll be crying too.

patesq

Thank you all. I found these success stories very inspiring when I started so I thought I should pay it forward!

I didn't really do anything special other than being very honest and diligent about logging and getting my butt to the gym every single day, usually twice, with cardio in the morning and strength training in the evening. I didn't use a trainer, just made it up as I went. I stayed under the calorie limit MyFitnessPal gave me and left a cushion (usually about 500 calories) in case I forgot to log something or if my exercise count was off a little.

I did find a couple of tweaks that saved me a bunch of calories. When I realized how many calories just a little mayonnaise had, I tried using plain nonfat greek yogurt with some ranch dressing mix in it. I could have a large serving for 20 calories. I found very low carb and calorie wraps (50 calories) made by Ole. I use PB2 peanut butter powder, sugar free jelly (10 calories for a tablespoon) and Heiner's bread (35 calories per slice but regular thickness) so I can have a PB&J for 125 calories. I've eaten a lot of greek yogurt with protein powder mixed in. And I found a cottage cheese recipe with cinnamon and ground flax seed that I like (I do not enjoy cottage cheese normally. I kept some small, individually wrapped treats around so I could indulge but not overindulge. I chose Lindt chocolate truffles - about 75 calories and just enough to satisfy the chocolate craving. I also found sugar free fudgesicles - 40 calories and yummy.

Best of luck to all on your journeys!

CarrieA180

You look amazing! Congrats!

mommyof4cpa

Congratulations - proof positive that hard work really does pay off! Thank you for sharing your journey :-)

pjw400

Awesome - if you can do it, I can do it too . Thanks for sharing your story.
Pam

Just_Maddy

VERY inspiring! Wow you are doing amazing :O This is why I love MFP sooo much.

MudstainSally

patesq wrote: »

One benefit I didn't realize would occur is that I can handle the summer weather more easily. I used to really detest the summer because of how unbearable the heat and humidity are where we live. Without that extra 110 lbs of insulation, I'm handling this summer much better, even the days where we have heat advisories. I still prefer winter weather but at least the summers are more bearable.

Anyway, I thought I'd share my journey and I hope everyone else finds success on theirs.

First of all, your whole story is awesome. You've put in a lot of hard work and you look fantastic, but this piece right here just gave me hope!

LOL, I absolutely cannot sleep when it is in the 70s in the summer. I've lost 30lbs and it's getting better, but if I can be at goal next summer I think I'll be feeling alright. It's 100 here today and I'm looking forward to next year.

patesq

I started at 247 and am now 135ish. I'm 5'6". And I forgot to mention but I was 51 years old when I started so this can be done at a somewhat advanced age. Yes, if I can do it, you can too! I have no idea what finally got me motivated - I have/had no health issues - but hubby and I wandered up to the local gym one day last summer, joined and I never looked back.

patesq

MudstainSally wrote: »

patesq wrote: »

One benefit I didn't realize would occur is that I can handle the summer weather more easily. I used to really detest the summer because of how unbearable the heat and humidity are where we live. Without that extra 110 lbs of insulation, I'm handling this summer much better, even the days where we have heat advisories. I still prefer winter weather but at least the summers are more bearable.

Anyway, I thought I'd share my journey and I hope everyone else finds success on theirs.

First of all, your whole story is awesome. You've put in a lot of hard work and you look fantastic, but this piece right here just gave me hope!

LOL, I absolutely cannot sleep when it is in the 70s in the summer. I've lost 30lbs and it's getting better, but if I can be at goal next summer I think I'll be feeling alright. It's 100 here today and I'm looking forward to next year.

I have to take jackets with me everywhere I go! The really fun thing is that I found some on sale for $3.99 in the kids section and an XL fits! I stocked up so I can keep one in each of our cars and in acouple of spots around the house. It's a very welcome, unexpected benefit. We're under a heat advisory yet again today. How many days until October?

SweetP27

Amazing story! Thanks for sharing

IdLikeToLoseItLoseIt

Great work, thank you for sharing your success story!

Starfish1125

Thank you for sharing your story! What an inspiration!!!

katielynn107

Great story! You should be proud, you look healthy and happy!

120poundstogo

first off I am proud of your success very inspiring! It took me a year just to lose 50lbs. but I did it! How did you go on to lose 100lb in a year? I am scratching my head how to do that! I have about a hundred to go yet.

besaro

awesome work!!

TitaniumTexan

You look amazing! Congratulations and thanks for sharing your inspirational story with us!