What 1 pound per week looks like (with pics-hopefully)
nogoldilocs
Posts: 87 Member
This is my first time posting a success story. I never imagined that I would post my very revealing before pics in a public forum but I wanted this to inspire those who scoff at slow and steady weight loss goals. I started this process just over a year ago and have lost the equivalent of about 1 pound per week. Here's my story:
I was never overweight growing up. I was athletic and active and fit and never concerned about being a skinny girl. I ate pretty healthily and didn't pay much attention to the scale. As a woman who is 6'1", gaining or losing a pound here or there doesn't really show up that easily.
Flash forward to about 10 years ago when I found myself working more and working out less. I continued to eat as I always had when I was more active and since I still went to the gym for 45 minutes of cardio about 2-3 times per week, I didn't notice anything initially. Over the years I did see subtle changes like my clothes getting tighter and that I was wearing a size or two larger than I previously had; but it all happened so gradually that I wasn't really paying attention to the changes. In my mind, I was still the fit, athletic girl I'd always been.
In the mirror and on the scale, was a totally different story. One day I got on the scale at the gym and found that I was 40 pounds heavier than I thought I was! That was my wake up call and the kick in the pants I needed to start paying attention.
So enough with the background, here's the before:
June 2012
And my favorite, the dreaded rear view. Note to self: "Always look BEHIND you!!"
Flash forward 1 year to the after/during:
June 2013
I'm still a work in progress, though my focus now is on building more strength and decreasing body fat rather than focusing on the number on the scale.
So what did I do? What was the "magic" or "secret" to losing 50 pounds?
It wasn't raspberry ketones, or juice clenses or starvation or any of that stuff people ask about on these forums from time to time.
The magic was boring, but tried and true: I tracked what I ate, I ate at a deficit, I exercised moderately and included strength training. And slowly, one week at a time, one pound at a time, I made it here.
That's it folks. It's not always easy but it's also not complicated. You don't have to lose 3 pounds a week to get there. Give it enough time and those numbers add up.
I was never overweight growing up. I was athletic and active and fit and never concerned about being a skinny girl. I ate pretty healthily and didn't pay much attention to the scale. As a woman who is 6'1", gaining or losing a pound here or there doesn't really show up that easily.
Flash forward to about 10 years ago when I found myself working more and working out less. I continued to eat as I always had when I was more active and since I still went to the gym for 45 minutes of cardio about 2-3 times per week, I didn't notice anything initially. Over the years I did see subtle changes like my clothes getting tighter and that I was wearing a size or two larger than I previously had; but it all happened so gradually that I wasn't really paying attention to the changes. In my mind, I was still the fit, athletic girl I'd always been.
In the mirror and on the scale, was a totally different story. One day I got on the scale at the gym and found that I was 40 pounds heavier than I thought I was! That was my wake up call and the kick in the pants I needed to start paying attention.
So enough with the background, here's the before:
June 2012
And my favorite, the dreaded rear view. Note to self: "Always look BEHIND you!!"
Flash forward 1 year to the after/during:
June 2013
I'm still a work in progress, though my focus now is on building more strength and decreasing body fat rather than focusing on the number on the scale.
So what did I do? What was the "magic" or "secret" to losing 50 pounds?
It wasn't raspberry ketones, or juice clenses or starvation or any of that stuff people ask about on these forums from time to time.
The magic was boring, but tried and true: I tracked what I ate, I ate at a deficit, I exercised moderately and included strength training. And slowly, one week at a time, one pound at a time, I made it here.
That's it folks. It's not always easy but it's also not complicated. You don't have to lose 3 pounds a week to get there. Give it enough time and those numbers add up.
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Replies
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Great job!0
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:flowerforyou: Inspiring! Good for you!!!0
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Fantastic job!0
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wow!! amazing!!! ty for sharing ! so inspiring!0
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Great job.
I like seeing stories like these cause I know I will never lose 100 pound in 8 months or other large amounts in less than a year. I lose about a pound a week and I have to work my tail off for it. It's nice to see results with a slower loss!!
Keep it up!0 -
WOWsers! Great job! You have done some work there.
(also great job figuring out the whole pictures thingy)
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Thank you for sharing! I also am trying to loose 50lbs and I always thing I MUST loose 2lbs a week or Im failing.... I appreciate knowing that 1lb a week is still OK!!
Thanks!0 -
wow can see the ab muscles, you go girl! slow and steady always wins the race, it's a lifestyle change0
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Thanks for your story. I need to keep my eye on the prize but like you said, one pound at a time, one week at a time. Thanks so much!0
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Wonderful progress! Congrats and good luck on your future goals!0
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Yay.... You look fantastic. Way to go! Awesome post...1 lb per week....so attainable and you are right slow and steady wins every time. Best Wishes on your journey!0
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Awesome job. I am hoping myself to keep going (today is day 50) and I hope to lose a total of 67 lbs at least. I probably should take some before pictures myself but I've already lost 13 lbs so far so they won't be from the beginning.0
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6'1" woman here! Slow and steady wins the race! I'm happy to see your story because that's pretty much my approach. Feel free to add me if you want
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Awesome...I love hearing your story. Thanks for the reminder to appreciate the small steps because they lead to huge rewards
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Such an inspirational story. Thank you for sharing with us!0
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Awesome story! Mine is much the same only I am 5'5" and have lost 49. Your pictures are great. I have about 15 more to lose and have done it the same way. My motto is dedication and hard work. Great job. You will be there soon!0
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Great job and great advice for those just starting. One pound a week sounds horrible and like it will never come, but the other options just don't get the job done. Good for you!0
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You are an awesome success story!0
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This is so inspiring -- you are now my rock star role model and I will look to you from now on when I'm thinking complaining and worrying about my status. Slow is better and you prove it!0
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You spoke just what I needed to hear. Thank you sooooo much. You look fantastic. Congratulations to you!!!0
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Wow! You look amazing!! Such an inspiration!
Would anyone have any tips on some snacks that are good for in between meals. Any suggestions would be very helpful. I love celery sticks w/ pb, but is pb a good idea and unfortunately I am not a big fan of veggies, is veggie dip ok? Lol. Thanks for any tips!0 -
Wow, way to go!0
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Girl, you are right on track...that's awesome progress.0
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Absolutely great results...0
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Wow! Words to live by. Thank you for reminding us what our focus should be because I am one of those people that get discouraged with 1 Lb loss per week. Your results speak volumes. Thank you for sharing!0
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Fantastic - and its good to see someone else who doesn't do all the OTT stuff succeed :drinker:0
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Thanks for posting your story & pics.
I really appreciate that you took the time to share & inspire.
Best Wishes0 -
Great job! The pics look great! Keep up the good work!0
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Great job !!0
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Great post... fabulous and SMART!0
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