Before and After Pic - 6 months and 47 lbs. lost!

thomaslh83 · September 2011

Hello everyone,

I started MFP back in February of this year, and I wanted to share with everyone on here a before-and-after pic of my journey as of today. I'm still on my fitness and weight loss journey, but I have made significant progress. It always helps to have an old picture to remind you of how far along you have come on a journey:

As of now, I still have a little more weight to lose and my short-term goal is to participate in a 5K and 10K run. I'd like to thank everyone who I have connected with on this site - I've met a lot of great people who continue to encourage me and give me advice. You guys rock! Here's to a healthy and meaningful life!

Thomas

fallenangelloves · September 2011

Great job!

jmelyan23 · September 2011

You look awesome!! Way to go and keep up the hard work!

Kelly_Wilson1990 · September 2011

Awesome!!!

OneBryteSmile · September 2011

Awesome job!

Chuck417 · September 2011

Nice work!! You look terrific!!
Chuck

princess4mimi · September 2011

GREAT JOB!!!! YOU LOOK INCREDIBLE!!! So how did you do it? What were some of your methods for achieving such success? What was your workout styles and routines like?

rodneyderrick · September 2011

You've done a fantastic job.

victoriashea · September 2011

You look hot.
Good show, chief!

crzyone · September 2011

Wow, you look great!!! Good job!!!

Fit4_Life · September 2011

Great job Thomas!

thomaslh83 · September 2011

GREAT JOB!!!! YOU LOOK INCREDIBLE!!! So how did you do it? What were some of your methods for achieving such success? What was your workout styles and routines like?

Two words: baby steps. Setting small, realistic goals has been the driving force behind my nutrition and weight loss. To give you an idea, I started out my weight loss by doing walking several times a week along with cutting back on my portions. I still ate foods that I liked, but not as much in order to create a reasonable deficit each day. After the first couple of weeks, I changed up my routine by incorporating circuit training exercises, but I did it a little at a time. I also started increasing my water intake and slowly replacing foods that a frequently ate with "better quality foods" (i.e. - more organic, whole grain, no processed, healthy fats, low sodium, etc.) The food diary feature has been a God-send - I was so unaware of a lot of the dietary info on foods that I ate frequently. I also want to add that I have also messed up a lot in my diet and exercise. I do not do things perfectly everyday. I am human just like everyone else. Even though I failed a lot, I always learn something from my mistakes and I try to do better the next day. One of the worst things you can do in weight loss is to beat yourself up when you make a mistake to the point that you would rather give up. Don't do that. Instead, examine what you have done right, and think of ways that you can improve and better yourself in the future. Finally, self-disciple and self-control is crucial. If you are adamant about being healthy and living a better life, then your passion and desire will fuel your discipline.

I'm sorry if I sounded too philosophical, but I felt like what I gained from this experience needed to be expressed. Feel free to add me as a friend on MFP and I'll be glad to encourage and help you out in any way I can. I wish you the best of luck in your nutrition and fitness! Keep it up!