Maintain and get more fit!

Allyvegan

Hello!

I've been lurking for a bit on MFP, and finally decided to do an introduction so I can start posting! Pretty much every fitness-related topic I do a google search for has a MFP post result. I'm an about-to-be-30 yo 5'8" F, and I've lost about 25 lbs since I started actively trying at the end of July, 2013.

I've been vegetarian since 1999, and a healthy, happy, proud vegan since 2007. I was quite overweight most of my younger life (size 14-16 in jr. high), lost weight after going vegetarian and starting some exercise (size 10 or so later in high school), lost a little more after going vegan (weight around 160), lost quite a bit more after adopting a dog and doing a lot of walking and some cycling (weight down to about 141), and then recently decided to stop over eating all.the.time and have reached (below) my goal weight. I wanted to get to around 120 lbs, and I'm now 116. I've never been happier with my body and health!

Now that I'm lighter and more conscientious about my health, I want to be more fit! Over the years, I've done lots of walking, some running, quite a bit of strength training in college, and quite a bit of cycling for commuting, but I've also had some injuries that have deterred me here and there. I'm really trying to be careful this time around about doing exercise correctly, and making lasting choices. I set a new year's goal for this year to be able to run for 30 minutes/3 times a week without pain, and I'm pretty much there! I love running again!

I guess I'm not the typical MFP user, as I don't count calories (I try to eat as healthy as possible, all plant-based, mostly all whole foods, portion-controlled, and log my own food) and I don't track calories burned.. but what I've done seems to be working for me.

Anyway, I just want to be a part of this great community and continue on to great fitness! Here are some of my comparison pics:

Probably around my heaviest adult weight (around 170lbs), 2006:


2010


Apr. 2014: