My Before & After - 61 lbs lost w/pics! Yay!!

KatieJane83

Ok, since I've been getting inundated with so many pm's/friend requests/posts asking for what I did, what my workouts are like, what my eating is like, etc. I've consolidated the answers that I posted previously on this thread. Hopefully, it provides some sort of help/inspiration for some of you guys! So, here it is, in all it's lengthy glory, lol:


First off, my stats: 5’ 5 1/2”, 28 years old

QUESTION: “Thats fantastic progress! You look amazing!! Can you tell us a little bit about how you acheived your goal? How many days a week you work out & what you do for workouts?

Great job "


Well I always danced (ballet, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop) twice a week, 2 1/2 hours each time during the 'school year', less in the summer, even when I was at my highest weight. So I continued that. But when I started mfp and really focusing on losing weight I also started going to the gym. I would go to the gym 2-3 days per week (during the 'school year' in addition to dancing 2 nights a week). If I didn't go to the gym then I would take long walks. Over the summer I went to the gym A LOT, since I wasn't dancing as often. When I go to the gym my workout consisted of a minimum of 60 minutes on 2 different types of ellipticals. I would frequently change the resistance and ramp to keep variety in the workout. I also always try to then do strength training as well. At the very least I always do crunches and push ups/reverse push ups. Probably about 1 1/2 months ago I started running (something I never thought I could do since my feet always went numb, plus I always hated it! lol) and I'm getting addicted, lol! I have now run for 60 minutes straight, not dropping below 6 mph, on 3 separate occasions!

Let's see, what else? For me a huge deal was portion size. My ex always ate HUGE portions so I got used to thinking that I was eating a normal amount because my portion was smaller than his. THIS WAS NOT TRUE! Lol. Also, making healthier food choices and cutting out lots of alcohol really helped. And I know this is a hotly debated topic but for me personally, I generally ate back at least 1/2 of my workout calories.


I'd say my gym workouts average anywhere from 800-1000 cals burned, and I think I burn somewhere around 600-700 for 2 1/2 hours of dance classes. I've actually never used a HRM so I don't know exactly how accurate my estimates are. I am living proof that you don't need a HRM to lose weight though!



QUESTION: “PLEASE tell me how long it took you and what your routine was like! I've been doing mfp for almost 2 months and I've come to a stand still at 192 and I can't break it.
I just have to say that you've given me hope. Your before pics look like mine and the way you look now is unbelievably smaller and I never thought in a million years I could ever be that skinny until I saw your pics! I know its possible now, that I don't just have "bigger bones" then other people.
If you have any advice, PLEASE send it my way! You look amazing and I know its hard work and Im willing to do it no matter how long it takes!
You look amazing!”


It took from the very end of February to now.

Here's an example of a workout. This is what I did at the gym today:

- 60 min treadmill run, speed ranging from 6mph to 8mph (i actually got my fastest mile, fastest 10k, and longest distance, 7.05 mi in 60 min, ever today!)
- 5 sets of 5 assisted pullups
- 5 sets of 10 assisted dips
- 4 sets of 15 reps on the hip abductor machine
- 5 sets of 5 reps rear deltoid machine
- 2 sets of 10 reps upward shoulder press machine
- 5 sets of 10 reps(10 reps straight legs, 40 reps knees bent) on the thing like a chair with no seat, where you hold yourself up and lift your legs (dont know what it's called, lol)
- 50 side crunches on each side
-300 crunches on the floor, in various positions
Cooldown/stretch
- approx 5 min of stretching
- ballet plies right and left sides

Obviously I've worked up to this! Lol The majority of my cardio during my weight loss was actually on the elliptical. I would use 2 different types of elliptical and constantly change the resistance and slope. I also did a lot of walking. Nowadays, if I go for a run outside and not at the gym I'll do crunches and pushups at home. I also take dance classes 2 nights a week for 2 1/2 hours each night.

I really think a big key is variety of workout. Also, at least every few workouts you should try to do at least one thing more/better/faster/longer. You always have to push yourself!

QUESTION: "Did you hit plateaus along the way? How were you able to overcome them?"


I definitely hit a couple plateaus. One for over a month sometime in the summer. I just kept plugging away and also tried changing up my eating, doing a little zig zagging with higher and lower cal days. Also, right up to the last 2 weeks I'd been kinda stuck with the last few lbs. Second to last week I lost .6 lbs, then last week I actually UPPED my cals by adjusting my goal from 2 lbs a week down to 1 lb and dropped 2.4 lbs to bring me under my goal!

Mpost0036

Awesome results - you should be so proud of yourself! All of your hark work has paid off, and you look fantastic! Congratulations on your huge success!

silvergurl518

hey folks! now you know why katie is one of my MFP crushes!!!! you are so, so awesome! a true inspiration and you look absolutely gorgeous!!!!

JHB2011

you look amazing!

marx4

You should be VERY PROUD of your amazing accomplishment. Keep up the great work and best wishes for a healthy holiday season!

LaMaMiK77

Wow congrats you look amazing!

patsyanne

You really look great and have done a good job at losing that much weight in that period of time. You are an inspiration to many. Maintain and dont let yourself slide backwards. Good luck

aprilkida

Inspiring! Great work!

brybre0413

wow, you look amazing and love the kitty!

docdevore

Very impressive progress.

erxkeel

Holy *kitten*! Only way to put my reaction! NICE JOB!

DDsMrs

YOu look fantastic! So inspirational. What things have you been doing to get your body into such good shape while losing 61 pounds?

KatieJane83

hey folks! now you know why katie is one of my MFP crushes!!!! you are so, so awesome! a true inspiration and you look absolutely gorgeous!!!!

Aww, thanks crush!! :flowerforyou:

KatieJane83

YOu look fantastic! So inspirational. What things have you been doing to get your body into such good shape while losing 61 pounds?

Thanks so much!! See my loooong post on pg. 9 for all the stuff I've been doing!

KatieJane83

I just wanted to again thank you all for sooooo many compliments, kind words, and congratulations! I can't believe how long this thread got, lol

Pams_Shadow

You look AMAZING. Thanks for the recap on Page 9.

Evotchka

girl you look fabulous!! You're a true inspiration!

SexyCook

WOW...you look amazing!

geohow11

WOW!! Great Work! You should be proud

KatieJane83

Thank you!!

gorgeouss9

you look great!!!!! i'm so happy for you!!!

Sherbog

I am really impressed and your post motivated me to get to goal! Thanks for sharing.

mscoco10

You look FAB. So proud !

jmayer28

Congratulations on hitting your goal!! That is truely amazing and inspirational!!

blooming_soul

Good job! Congratulations!!! how many dress sizes did you lose???

lissadavis

Congratulations on the payoff for all your hard work and thanks for posting your story!!! I have a specific question about running even though your feet used to go numb, since mine do this. Did that ever stop and if so, do you know why, or how to lessen it? My trainer said to increase fatty acid consumption but so far that has not been effective.
Thanks!

brit7880

you look great! congrats!

kittycarson

Wow!

Dawn_is_getting_healthy

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!! You look amazing!!!

LTGPSA

Way to go! Congratulations! :flowerforyou: