One year, 115 lbs
countrcowgirl
Posts: 249 Member
So I turn 50 years old in a few months and always believed that it was impossible to lose weight as a female once you got into menopause. I was proven wrong what it takes is hard work and a different approach. I needed to be lifting weights (heavy weights in addition to doing cardio) to build lean muscle and increase my metabolic rate.
I was always fit until I got married and had my first child, almost 24 years ago. I never lost the weight I gained that pregnancy, nor the two after that. I tried a zillion times in the last 24 years to lose weight, would lose some, somewhere along the line would become unmotivated and gain it all back plus more, that typical pattern. Last summer I thought I was having a heart attack at 48 years of age... turns out it was a gallbladder attack, but that is when I said enough... I am not dying young from being overweight. I met with a trainer once, she gave me an exercise plan and said I needed to be lifting weight as well as doing cardio. I picked up a book by Tosca Reno on eating clean and have totally changed how I eat. One year ago to this date I started on this weight loss journey, in one year I have lost 115lbs having gone from 292lbs to 177lbs, and have lost 16 inches of my waist, 10 inches on one thigh, almost 20 inches off my hips and 12 inches on my chest. I would still like to lose another 25lbs but I am at the stage now where I am focused more on getting toned then the weight loss, trying to tighten up as much of that loose skin as I can, but people it is possible at 50!
Hope this inspires at least one person on their journey.
Photo on the left was from about 6 years ago I weighed about 40lbs more last August when I started, selfie from yesterday.
Left photo my daughters wedding last August, right photo about 3 weeks ago
Left photo first selfie I took in the gym after about a month in the gym, on the right most recent gym selfie I took about a week ago
And all I can say is at least that belly is gone!
I was always fit until I got married and had my first child, almost 24 years ago. I never lost the weight I gained that pregnancy, nor the two after that. I tried a zillion times in the last 24 years to lose weight, would lose some, somewhere along the line would become unmotivated and gain it all back plus more, that typical pattern. Last summer I thought I was having a heart attack at 48 years of age... turns out it was a gallbladder attack, but that is when I said enough... I am not dying young from being overweight. I met with a trainer once, she gave me an exercise plan and said I needed to be lifting weight as well as doing cardio. I picked up a book by Tosca Reno on eating clean and have totally changed how I eat. One year ago to this date I started on this weight loss journey, in one year I have lost 115lbs having gone from 292lbs to 177lbs, and have lost 16 inches of my waist, 10 inches on one thigh, almost 20 inches off my hips and 12 inches on my chest. I would still like to lose another 25lbs but I am at the stage now where I am focused more on getting toned then the weight loss, trying to tighten up as much of that loose skin as I can, but people it is possible at 50!
Hope this inspires at least one person on their journey.
Photo on the left was from about 6 years ago I weighed about 40lbs more last August when I started, selfie from yesterday.
Left photo my daughters wedding last August, right photo about 3 weeks ago
Left photo first selfie I took in the gym after about a month in the gym, on the right most recent gym selfie I took about a week ago
And all I can say is at least that belly is gone!
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Replies
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you rock!!4
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You are a freaking rockstar! Thanks for the motivation today!!
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You are a champion!!!!3
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you look about 38 now! Wow ~ snaps to you
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Great job!3
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WOW, WTG!2
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You look just marvelous! Thank you for sharing!
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You look amazing!! Thank you for posting...I am 55 and have been blaming menopause. You are truly inspiring!4
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NancyCaz61 wrote: »You look amazing!! Thank you for posting...I am 55 and have been blaming menopause. You are truly inspiring!
For me it truly was lifting heavy weights, right now I am doing the Jessie's Girls bikini program. However, I started with the weight plan I got from the trainer, which included 30-60 minutes of cardio six days a week plus upper body and lower body workouts twice a week. I adjusted the plan myself overtime through reading and what I knew when I was younger from weight training, moved onto to join Nicole Wilkins website and she has two 30 day weight training plans on there that I followed and now am doing Jessie's girls.
There is lots of great info out there, but meeting with the trainer that first time set me on the right path. But yes it is doable it was my excuse too!
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countrcowgirl wrote: »NancyCaz61 wrote: »You look amazing!! Thank you for posting...I am 55 and have been blaming menopause. You are truly inspiring!
For me it truly was lifting heavy weights, right now I am doing the Jessie's Girls bikini program. However, I started with the weight plan I got from the trainer, which included 30-60 minutes of cardio six days a week plus upper body and lower body workouts twice a week. I adjusted the plan myself overtime through reading and what I knew when I was younger from weight training, moved onto to join Nicole Wilkins website and she has two 30 day weight training plans on there that I followed and now am doing Jessie's girls.
There is lots of great info out there, but meeting with the trainer that first time set me on the right path. But yes it is doable it was my excuse too!
Thank you so much for all of this information! I will certainly look into it over the weekend!0 -
Your amazing and look fabulous. Thanks for posting your story.
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Wow! For anyone to lose 115 in a year is amazing. Fantastic job, you look amazing and you definitely don't look 50.0
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nice work!2
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MudstainSally wrote: »Wow! For anyone to lose 115 in a year is amazing. Fantastic job, you look amazing and you definitely don't look 50.
Thank you!
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You have done an outstanding job! I am 67 years old and about a month ago added heavier weights into my program. I am definitely noticing a big difference in how I look and feel. Congrats!!!
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FABULOUS transition!!! Great work, you can really see your dedication!! xo2
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Amazing!! Hard work pays off!2
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JustMissTracy wrote: »FABULOUS transition!!! Great work, you can really see your dedication!! xo
Thank you!
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You have done an outstanding job! I am 67 years old and about a month ago added heavier weights into my program. I am definitely noticing a big difference in how I look and feel. Congrats!!!
Totally has transformed my body, I thought I could never lose weight on my hips that I was just hippy even prior to the kids I had big hips wore a 10 or a 12 and a large I am the same weight as around then but a size 8 and a medium my body is so different from weights!1 -
I bet a lot of people walk past you. Even folks who know you very well, not realising its you.
You have totally transformed your body.
Your bliss is so radiant.
You look vibrant, energetic and a picture of health.
Well done.3 -
The "before" photos don't even look like you! Heavy weights you say.... I'll have to look into that! Congratulations on all your hard work paying off!2
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Awesome!!!2
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Wow! A wonderful inspiration to us all2
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Great job! Way to go!2
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Awesome!!! You look awesome!!!!0
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Really impressive work! It always completely amazes me to see these transformations.
I'll bet your entire life is different, not just food and exercise.
Well done.
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Totally amazing!!! Congratulations and thanks for the inspiration!!!!1
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You are amazing. Your dedication has paid off. What an inspiration!1
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IcanIwill1 wrote: »I bet a lot of people walk past you. Even folks who know you very well, not realising its you.
You have totally transformed your body.
Your bliss is so radiant.
You look vibrant, energetic and a picture of health.
Well done.
Thanks so much for the gracious compliments and you are correct I have people that don't even recognize me
0
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