50lbs and Counting, Success Progress!

sugarlemonpie

Photo taken exactly one year apart and 50lbs down. I am 5'4", started at 209lbs and currently at 158lbs.

So happy about my months of logging and staying accountable! Still have another 10lbs to go, but wanted to share this progress since these photos are a year apart.

I always hoped I would be close to where I am today, so this is a great reminder and motivator to stick with it!

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

You look great, well done

shw112

well done! You look amazing

JCM49

great job, did you focus on calorie counting, exercise?

dsboohead

JCM49 wrote: »

great job, did you focus on calorie counting, exercise?

Yes I would like to know this too since I just figured out logging......you look awesome!

dsboohead

......plus your stats are pretty near to my own other than the fact I could be your mom!

2011rocket3touring

...from cute to beautiful. Well done.

sugarlemonpie

JCM49 wrote: »

great job, did you focus on calorie counting, exercise?

dsboohead wrote: »

Yes I would like to know this too since I just figured out logging......you look awesome!

Thank you!! Sure! I have foused on calorie counting, walking, and cooking healthy meals with lots of vegetables. I love to cook so that was the easiest way for me to make a change that I could stick to. I portion everything out into servings as soon as it's ready, and have the leftovers for lunch. I walk to work and back, which is about 45 mins of leisurely walking a day, and bought a kettlebell in the last couple of months to help me start to tone. My knees and back prevent me from doing anything too strenuous or high impact.

Some YouTube healthy eating channels I would recommend that helped me with food ideas are MindOverMunch and The Domestic Geek.

Hope this helps y'all!

sugarlemonpie

Thanks everyone! Feels funny to share this, but also really exciting for me!

sbrown6

WOW! LOOKIN GOOD! KEEP IT UP!

corinasue1143

2011rocket3touring wrote: »

...from cute to beautiful. Well done.

Second this!

dsboohead

Remember you have alot to offer in advice and info.....your doin' it! I appreciate your experience!

debtay123

Fabulous job and thanks for the ideas- you are truly inspiring!

nowine4me

Stunning!

ChelleDee07

Congratulations! I know you feel better and are more confident!

sugarlemonpie

Thanks guys!! I wish I had more to tips I could give, but the biggest thing of course is consistently logging and weighing everything, as annoying as it may be! Some things I have learned along the way...

- You don't need as much meat in meals as you think you do. Diced mushrooms help bulk out ground beef. I cut back the red meat and loaded up on them, and they're super filling and low calorie, while I still get enough protein from half the meat. Great to use in a Bolognese pasta sauce!

- Think outside meals being meat + sides. I used to get so bored of that! Instead, I make healthy one pot dishes by cooking some meat and diced veggies, seasoning them, simmering in chicken stock and adding rice, quinoa, or pasta until liquid is absorbed and it's cooked. You can make a Mexican chicken quinoa skillet with bell peppers, or do beef, vegetables, Italian seasonings and pasta for a quick all in one pot meal. It's made my work nights a lot easier to do this.

- Eat locally and seasonally! Food tastes meat when it's in season, and we go to the farmers market every Saturday to buy from local farms. Try out vegetables you've never used before and experiment in the kitchen. It's fun to try new things and learn to really love the process of making healthy food, not just eating.

- Find healthy and constructive support. My partner has been a huge help, and he has also lost a lot of weight with me! Also my friends here on MFP have been super motivating and keep me accountable.

- Don't ruin your social life, but you also dont have to go off the rails every time. My friends and I love to go out to eat, so I plan ahead for the day and eat low calorie meals that day as well as make sure to walk more in order to balance out a dinner with friends. You dont have to feel guilty.

margotlovesyou

You look fabulous!

Darraghcameron

Hi well done you look fab, how many calories did you eat and excercise daily to achieve your goal?

Yes2HealthyAriel

You look fabulous. Our height and starting weight almost the same. I am 5'1" started at 201 and am currently 147

sugarlemonpie

Darraghcameron wrote: »

Hi well done you look fab, how many calories did you eat and excercise daily to achieve your goal?

Thanks so much! I followed the suggested 1200 a day, and I eat back some of my exercise calories as well. So that can be a total of 1200-1400 calories/day.

I walk about 45 mins a day at a leisurely pace (2.5mi/hr).

sugarlemonpie

Yes2HealthyAriel wrote: »

You look fabulous. Our height and starting weight almost the same. I am 5'1" started at 201 and am currently 147

Aw thank you, and wow that's amazing, wonderful job!! It's nice when all the hard work pays off. Was there anything you did in particular as part of your plan/lifestyle? Always love hearing from others!