Nearly a year and look at me now!

MrsAustin1480

So I started my weight loss journey in April 2011, right after my youngest daughter was born. I weighed 240, had high blood pressure and HATED my body. I had no energy and stuffed my face every time I ate. Enough was enough! I cut down my portions and started doing reeeeally low impact exercise (and breast feeding). I lost about 30 pounds then got complacent and quit. I stayed at 205-210 for almost 2 years. Then in February 2013, my husband and I went to a rock concert (Otherwise, Stone Sour and Papa Roach - awesome!!!) I wanted to wear a really cool jacket I had bought when I was 18...but alas it wouldn't fit! So I joined a community meltdown challenge, lost 12 more pounds and then found MFP!

I didn't have many friends on my old profile (forgot I had started this one waaay back) and lost 30 more pounds from February to June/July. I stayed at 168-170 for a couple months, then started again and lost a little more. With my new profile (and 50 less pounds) I added a bunch of friends, joined an 8-week challenge group and have lost another 15 pounds. I'm now 7.5 pounds from my "goal" and think I could probably stand to lose even more.

I have NO pictures from when I weighed 240 (don't want to remember anyway) so my first picture is about 200 pounds in February of last year.

SW: 240
CW: 154.6
GW: 147 (or less...?!)

Also - please forgive the images' poor quality and if they're too big...I tried to resize and they looked stupid. They did look ok on the test message I sent myself so hopefully this works.

I've started body weight exercises and a little lifting...let's see where it takes me!







Please be kind - this is scary for me, but I'm pretty proud! And forgive me if my Math's a little off...that's not my forte!

Seriously...someone help me with resizing. Ugggggh!!!

MrsRobertson1005

You look great! Awesome job!!

CaitlinW19

You look so good! You should be really proud. Congrats! :flowerforyou:

sweetpea03b

Congrats! You look great!

BritBrit515

You look amazing! Great Job! Keep up the hard work, you should be so proud of yourself!

dianasustaita37

You look great!!

530roman

Maybe that helps. Looking great!

Livin4me1969

You look wonderful and should be very proud!! Great work! :drinker:

Flacachica

Nice job! You totally sound like me... I'm at about where you started. I'm hoping to post success story pics someday too. Congrats on your sucess.

cathipa

Great job!!! Very inspiring to know this can be done!

celtbell3

You look amazing!!

Enyala55

How inspiring! I started at 206 on 1/22/14. I'm already down 5.5 lbs, but I ultimately have 60.5 lbs to go! Your pictures inspire me that I might actually look pretty darn hot before I even get to my goal weight! Although, I'm only 5'3"... not sure how tall you are.

gdurham2014

Great job, keep up the good work. Very inspiring!!!

MrsAustin1480

Oh! I'm 5'6.5" (that .5 is important!! :-D) and I now have a 31" waist...started at about 37" so YAY!!

MrsBrosco

You have done and continue to do an amazing job You are a rockstar!

cici1028

You look fantastic! Congratulations on your success!

SandraD1424

Great Job sticking with it!! You look great

Dawn810511

You look awesome!!!! I hope to share some pics when I hit my one year mark! :drinker: :happy:

wannaBrunnner81

Be proud! You have achieved a great result, and have obvioulsy put in lots of hard work, congrats!

Shriffee

You look awesome!!! Great job.

Lilyin562

Congrats! You are awesome!

Francl27

Can't see the right part of the pics but great job!

Shiny79

You look WONDERFUL!!! Thank you for the inspiration!

mamma_nee

Nice !!! You look great !! Thank you for sharing

Luckee_me

Hi,
You look great.
Congratulations on your success.

MissSarahAllison315

WOW!!! You look AMAZING!!!! Congrats!!

happysummerrunner

Wow you did it! These pictures are so motivating, thanks for sharing! You look great!

MrsAustin1480

Thank you everyone!

A few more bits of info for those who may be like me:
I am "large framed" according to wrist measurements.
My bra size didn't change - band or cup - I just use the smallest clasp now.
My measurements starting were (approximately) 45"-37"-43" now they're around 41"-31"-39" (stupid flat butt - I'm working on it!!)
I do Pilates and a little strength training (squats/bench/lunges, etc) with dumbbells.
I went from dying during the most basic plank at 15 seconds to I don't even know how long I can hold one now AND I can do regular push-ups!!
I also just started Blogilates beginners' calendar and am on my fourth day of the fourth week. Great way to start (or restart) Pilates!

I eat anywhere from 1200-1700 calories a day and do not eat back my exercise calories.

Also: my NUMBER ONE trick? Water. It's cheap and portable. I drink anywhere from 96-160 oz per day. It has helped me immensely to curb my appetite and slow me down at meals. Also I JUST kicked Diet Dr. Pepper! Finally.

cami5432

No idea why you were worried about posting! YOU LOOK FANTASTIC!! You have come so far and you are still determined so I would say, keep going until you get where you want to go...then go further! You are amazing and capable of doing anything! We are here for ya!

fpelletier

Great job!!

ChaoticMiNd

Those are my goals !!!! I'm so excited. Thanks for the inspiration. Great job.