Pics of bulks/cuts from start to now because my four year MFP anniversary is today!

Keladelphia

Finding MFP truly changed my life. I am still so grateful every single day for the support from MFP friends and for the information I have received here. Today marks 4 years (1460 days) of logging in consecutively and I like to celebrate each year on this site with an updated success story in hopes that maybe someone who is at any stage I've experienced in these last four years can see that it is possible to not just loose weight initially but continue to live a healthy lifestyle . Choosing to live a healthy lifestyle is something I will always need to be vigilant about and being here continues to keep me on track. Happy 4 year anniversary to me!

These two images are at the start of my weight loss (235lbs) and last month or so.





These Pictures are from my bulk cut cycles with the first image on the left being at the start of my weight loss and the last on the right being yesterday, i'm just starting to cut again and sitting at 148.5. I compete in Olympic weightlifting which is why the cuts are to 138lbs

bufger

Amazing dedication!
Do you ever have trouble mentally bulking because your journey started at a high weight?

From an aesthetic point of view which weight/BF% do you prefer to be at?

Well done

Keladelphia

bufger wrote: »

Amazing dedication!
Do you ever have trouble mentally bulking because your journey started at a high weight?

From an aesthetic point of view which weight/BF% do you prefer to be at?

Well done

My very first bulk was a total mind F***. I remember crying as the scale increased because even though I knew I knew how to cut the weight I still somehow thought the initial weight loss had happened by magic. By the end of the bulk though I was totally happy and no longer scared to do it again. Now I enjoy the time I get to be lax and eat what I want with family and friends during a bulk. I prefer to sit around 145-148, i'm not sure BF as i've never had it measured with anything of accuracy. It's a look i'm comfortable with that doesn't take too much attention to detail to maintain and my lifts are strong at that weight.

Edit to add: Thank you by the way!

Cassandraw3

Wow! Fantastic work!

Keto_Vampire

That is incredible overall. You show much discipline in transitioning from cut <-> bulk pics; far too many people go overboard in bulking incorrectly/excessively.

mom23mangos

I love seeing your photos. You are such an inspiration on here!

QueenBee2018

Thanks for the update--I love seeing people who are successful for the long term! You are one of the ladies that inspired me started me on weight lifting. At one year into this project I love seeing where this can go with a few more years.

Fflpnari

you are my hero

sujey32

Wow! Congratulations on your amazing dedication and work! I’m currently at 165 mostly fat and I’m new to the community. I have been doing treadmill, running, and elliptical. 2 miles a day.
Should I focus on weights or just try to lose all my fat first?

Tic78

Excellent results currently on a cut but look forward to the day where I can just run small bulk/cut cycles, I plan to keep it within a 10lb range and you’re pictures show just how much difference a lean bulk can make. Fantastic!

Keladelphia

sujey32 wrote: »

Wow! Congratulations on your amazing dedication and work! I’m currently at 165 mostly fat and I’m new to the community. I have been doing treadmill, running, and elliptical. 2 miles a day.
Should I focus on weights or just try to lose all my fat first?

Thank you! While I would keep doing the running and or elliptical for cardiovascular health and to help burn a few extra calories but I would definitely start lifting weights now to preserve as much lean muscle mass as possible while you continue to eat at a deficit.

Keladelphia

Tic78 wrote: »

Excellent results currently on a cut but look forward to the day where I can just run small bulk/cut cycles, I plan to keep it within a 10lb range and you’re pictures show just how much difference a lean bulk can make. Fantastic!

I definitely achieved the greatest muscle gain from the initial 20 pound bulk but I was surprised what a difference even the small slow ten-ish pound bulks made.

SabAteNine

Oh my God. I am totally in love.
Amazing dedication - absolutely, hands-on incredible.

How much of a surplus are you usually eating during your bulks? You still looked incredibly lean at the end of the 155 lb cycle.

Keladelphia

SabAteNine wrote: »

Oh my God. I am totally in love.
Amazing dedication - absolutely, hands-on incredible.

How much of a surplus are you usually eating during your bulks? You still looked incredibly lean at the end of the 155 lb cycle.

Haha Thank you! I didn’t track meticulously during bulks because I have to track meticulously during cuts and consider it my break time but I ate an average surplus of 2200 calories a week. 250 calories extra two days a week on heavy training days (a big cup of Icecream) and 850 extra on Saturdays and Sundays. I gained about .5-.75 a week.

SabAteNine

Keladelphia wrote: »

SabAteNine wrote: »

Oh my God. I am totally in love.
Amazing dedication - absolutely, hands-on incredible.

How much of a surplus are you usually eating during your bulks? You still looked incredibly lean at the end of the 155 lb cycle.

Haha Thank you! I didn’t track meticulously during bulks because I have to track meticulously during cuts and consider it my break time but I ate an average surplus of 2200 calories a week. 250 calories extra two days a week on heavy training days (a big cup of Icecream) and 850 extra on Saturdays and Sundays. I gained about .5-.75 a week.

Thanks for the insight! That's definitely a „mentally manageable” surplus I'm working up the courage to lean bulk - you're a great inspiration.

New_Heavens_Earth

This is going to sound like a strange question but: Did you get any negative comments during bulks? Like "oh are you gaining weight?" and stuff like that? If so, how did you handle it?People might say that out of concern that you don't regain what you lost because they don't understand the concept of bulk/ cut. I think you still looked great during your bulk cycles, btw.

Keladelphia

New_Heavens_Earth wrote: »

This is going to sound like a strange question but: Did you get any negative comments during bulks? Like "oh are you gaining weight?" and stuff like that? If so, how did you handle it?People might say that out of concern that you don't regain what you lost because they don't understand the concept of bulk/ cut. I think you still looked great during your bulk cycles, btw.

Thank you and it’s not a strange question at all! I haven’t really gotten any negative comments during bulks. Well once or twice my weightlifting coach has commented on how much thicker I had gotten so quickly post meet (“damn how much weight did you put on”) which I suppose some would take negatively but in my view it’s his job to make sure I always stay within striking distance of my weight class. I just laugh it off from him and tell him I’m a great eater before I tell him my weight. I’m lucky that most people around me understand the importance of eating to fuel muscle gains and performance for my sport. Plus even during my 20 pound bulk I put on most of the mass in my glutes and thighs (I squat every training session) so I didn’t look much different in regular clothes and was still wearing the same size so most people would hardly notice the gradual increase in body size.

fb47

I am curious to know which 2 fools clicked on "woo"

rose2_0

Ugh. You inspire me but also make me feel a little bad about myself, because you're that good and I'm a suck *kitten*.

LiftHeavyThings27105

Wow! Folks, that is what consistency can do for you. And, from how it sounds, perfect example of 'trust the process'. Amazing work - in both cuts and bulks! I know how much of a challenge it can be to eat and eat and then eat a little bit more. Becomes a true 'chore'! Great idea about not tracking while you bulk because that is so taxing to you during the cut. Anyway, MUCH RESPECT, lady! Amazing work....awesome dedication...well done!

sardelsa

As always, your progress is absolutely amazing and inspirational!

Noreenmarie1234

WOW!!! This is incredible to see, thank you for posting. Did you find it was hard to go back to lower calories after a bulk and getting used to eating more?

KevannC

You are amazing! Its mindboggling to me to have over 1000 days logged lol. When I lost my 300+ days I was devastated! Your hard work, dedication, and sacrifice is inspiring. Great work!

Keladelphia

rose2_0 wrote: »

Ugh. You inspire me but also make me feel a little bad about myself, because you're that good and I'm a suck *kitten*.

I’m curious what the kitten replaced lol but don’t let it make you feel bad! It took me 28 years of being overweight and disordered eating before it finally clicked. Plus you look amazing in your pic!

Keladelphia

sardelsa wrote: »

As always, your progress is absolutely amazing and inspirational!

Thanks, I always love following your progress as well!

Keladelphia

Noreenmarie1234 wrote: »

WOW!!! This is incredible to see, thank you for posting. Did you find it was hard to go back to lower calories after a bulk and getting used to eating more?

It always takes me about a week or two for my hunger cues to get in line with the adjusted calories since it’s only a modest surplus. The mental aspect of eating at a deficit again is harder than physically getting used to it and usually takes me a few weeks. I usually cut with the end date of the cut being for a weightlifting meet so having a specific goal and timeframe for when I have to get on a scale in front of people makes it a little easier to get the mental part in check.

Keladelphia

Thank you everyone for your kind comments!

BNY721

Phenomenal transformation...love seeing dedication and hard work. Excellent job!

jamjarre

Wow!

shaf238

Highly impressive. You've done brilliantly!!!

sdancer2017

Hi! Thank you so much for the inspirational pics!
Did you notice your hip measurements increasing at any point?
I am noticing other measurements decreasing, and an increase in the compliments on my butt, but just making sure my hip measurement increasing means my butt is just lifted/stronger.
I'm fairly new to lifting.
Any other things you noticed as a woman that would be helpful to keep in mind are welcome!
Keep being awesome!