before and after with pics

Palache · May 2011

Wow, you are at my goal weight. I can't wait to look at hot as you do. GREAT JOB!

Jizes318 · May 2011

Great job! I started at 164 and my goal is 129/130 as well. I have 7 more pounds to go! Cant wait to be at your spot. What have you been doing?????????

Yellowstone1983 · May 2011

You look wonderful!

Tangerine302 · May 2011

Wow! Congratulations, you look great!

lgchoc · May 2011

you look fab, very insperational

Nikstergirl · May 2011

SOOO happy for you! You're looking amazing!!!! Totally jealous, but I'm getting there... CONGRATS!!!!

eleanoreb · May 2011

woow- totally overwhelmed by all the nice messages and support!!

To answer some of your questions, I am 5'6.

My food diary is viewable to friends, feel free to add me if you'd like. The biggest most useful tip i found in the beginning is limit or reduce carbs such as pasta, bread, rice at dinner. Especially in the beginning, and then can reincorporate a little bit later on.

In terms of working out I think variety is key. During the winter i did cross country skiing, skating, athletic conditioning, interval runs on the treadmill at the gym (i'm a huge fan of serena Williams interval running mixes, you can buy on itunes and put on your ipod) , Jillian Michaels 30 day shread, hot yoga.

I recently did JM 6 weeks to 6 pack and i found it was pretty good.

Currently i'm training for a 10k run, so i run with a running group 3 times a week, I still do athletic conditioning ( calisthenics and weights), hot yoga once a week or every couples of week, spinning, and starting JM no more trouble zones. I also like playing squash, volleyball..

I think the key is variety so you don't get bored, and use different muscles. I like working out with friends, it helps. I also know i find it really hard to stick to the calory limites without exercise, so that really motivates me to find some sort of exercise to do. hope this is helpful, and again thanks for all the kind words!!

jnd951999 · May 2011

Wow, you look great! I am 5'6" too and my goal weight is 130. The smallest I have ever been is 138. I hope I can get there and look as great as you!

FullOfSpice · May 2011

U look absolutely amazing. Great JOB!

callipygianchronicle · May 2011

Wow. You unleashed hip bones AND a cute, perky butt! (Is it okay if I talk about your butt?) You look fantastic. A testimony to eating well and working hard.

sylviacardoza · May 2011

wow great job! Very inspiring

I just joined and am so glad I found mfp. I hope I will be just as successful:happy:

Zombriana · May 2011

Wow! Amazing! You have a really cute butt btw. :P

eleanoreb · May 2011

thank you so much! MFP, is great, it just helps make you more aware of how many calories you consume. Once you know more about how much you are putting into your body and you see what you can do, it's hard to ignore it.

The community on here is great! don't give up!

In terms of tips, everybody is different and you have to find what works for you. However couple of things that i find helped:

- I was advised in the beginning to cut back carbs (pasta, bread, rice) at dinner (squash, etc is still fine!) . Apparently it helps kick start weight loss, and then you can incorporate a little bit back (either 1 cup of pasta at dinner, or have carbs only a couple of nights a week) . I find you also feel much better in the morning.

-substitute white bread, pasta for whole wheat whenever possible

- make sure to get protein with all meals

- don't skip breakfast

- don't limit your portions, have big portions of healthy thing (always have lots of salad and or veggies with dinner so you don't feel hungry after and snack a lot)

- damage control: if you go over one day on your calories, lets say by 500 calories, then try and have a deficit for the next 2 days of 250 calories. Apparently it takes 2 days for the food to turn into extra weight, and if you do this "damage control" technique it really helps not gain weight

- don't pass up things you can only get once a year or on special occasion, its okay to indulge in those things. Instead save your calories for special things rather than chips or junk food you could have anytime

- I like to train with a Heart rate monitor, helps me see how hard an effort i'm putting in and I train harder. its also more accurate for keeping track of calories.

and finally, don't be too hard on yourselves. there will be days that are better than others, day's when you feel you aren't making progress or want to give up, but just have confidence in yourselves. you can do it!!!

hope this is helpful.