#appleshape #lifting #weddingworkout #awesome

phizzylizzy

I’m posting my first success story, but I haven’t reached my “goal.” I finished the program, New Rules of Lifting for Women, and I’m two weeks away from my wedding. My body isn’t perfect, and I haven’t dropped insane amounts of weight or dress sizes. I’m not here to proclaim the superiority of lifting over any other exercise. I’m just saying, hey, this worked for me, I feel pretty dang good about life, and maybe you’re interested. I don’t eat perfectly. I’ve had plenty of weeks where I missed workouts or didn’t hit the gym at all, and here I am. Again, imperfect, but having made progress. I’ve changed my lifestyle for the better and I plan to continue this. The biggest reward, besides looking tons better in my wedding dress than the first time I tried it on, is knowing that I can do this – eat well with some splurges, workout and try new things – for the rest of my life. Here are some other valuable lessons I have learned in the past six months:

1.) You’re stronger than you think you are, and you won’t know how much until you test your limits.
2.) This is a slow-going road. It’s taken me six months to lose almost seven pounds. But, it’s seven pounds that I am confident won’t creep back without a fight. It’s not about the scale, or even the dress size. It’s about admiration of your muscles in the mirror, the comments from co-workers about your hard work showing, the way your posture improves, and the way your clothes make you look like a million bucks.
3.) Consistency wins in the end.
4.) There is a way to improve your health and fitness while still drinking wine and eating cheeseburgers. If I had cut them out, I’d have lost more, and faster. But this method felt tolerable for me and I believe I’ve practiced something sustainable.

I will keep lifting, and I’ll run, and I’ll do yoga, and maybe try some Jillian Michaels DVDs – who knows! Either way, fitness is solidly part of my life and routine, because I was able to change my body for the better. I was able to develop a pride and appreciation for what it can do. Priceless!

Stats (since beginning NROLFW):
Weight: 159 → 152.4 – total loss of 6.6 pounds
Triceps: 13 → 11.5 – 1.5 inches lost
Chest: 38.75 → 35.75 - 3 inches lost
Ribcage: 33.75 → 31 -2.75 inches lost
Waist: 32.25 → 29 – 3.25 inches lost
Abdomen (navel): 36.5 → 33 - 3.5 inches lost
Hips: 40 → 38 – 2 inches lost
Thigh: 24.25 → 23 – 1.25 inches lost

That’s a total of 17.75 inches. Pretty cool. Go lifting!

Picture time!
Front before


Front now


Side before


Side now

Back Before


Back now

katimama

FANTASTIC JOB! Looks way more than 7 pounds!

I keep thinking about getting the New Rules for Lifting for Women but then get nervous ... I gotta take the plunge b/c your success is totally inspiring!

Chain_Ring

Hashtag nice job.

marykate723

I can't believe that's less than 7 pounds difference! You look fantastic. Yet another story for my file of "why I want to lift." I'm currently saving up to purchase a rack and barbell set.

Have a wonderful, fun wedding!

bookworm_847

Way to go! You can definitely tell you've been working hard. Good for you! :drinker:

Angimom

WOW!! That looks like WAY more than 7lbs! You look awesome! I am going to visit a gym this weekend so I can get signed up and start lifting! GREAT JOB!

bobbinalong

I'm going to the gym, NOW! Congratulations all around and on your upcoming nuptials!

balancedbrunette

Incredible work and very inspiring post! congrats on your progress, can identify with your comments it also took me well I figured to be a very long time to loose my last 10lbs but slow is right and in a way you can keep it off, i've been reading the starting strength book but also considering getting NROLFW, hope you're proud of your work, i know i would be :P.