Post-Bulking Progress Pictures (Female)

Rae6503

So I shall start from the beginning. July 2010, I had just given birth to my third child and was 180lbs. Honestly I didn't take any real "before" pictures. BUT I did take some at a similar point after the birth of my second child and I can asure you I was in exactly the same shape so I will use those:

180lbs:


Fast forward to April. I had lost 19 lbs by trying to eat better, exercising occasionally and breast feeding (although my body is NOT one to lose weight while breast feeding, most of it had come off after I weaned at 5 months). I was NOT counting calories up to this point.

161lbs:


I started Turbo Fire in May, started MFP in June. This was Sept. 1:

149lbs:




I gained a pound "accidentally" in September, started lifting "heavy" October 2, and decided to "bulk" in mid October. So I've been "bulking" since. Eating about 3000 calories a day. Lifting heavy 3-5 times a week, including my most favorite lifts squats and deadlifts. My squats have gone from just the bar, 45lbs to 95lbs. My deads have gone from 65lbs to almost body weight at 155lbs (both are 3 sets of 8). I had decided to bulk until March or 160lbs which ever came first. 160lbs came first.

160lbs:





So yes, the above pictures are only ONE pound less than the second picture. One pound, but a size 12 jeans vs. a size 6. I love muscles.

So the plan for the future is to eat at maintenance a couple of week then start to cut again probably by eating about 2300 calories a day. I’m actually pretty happy with where I’m at except a little bit of love handles and my thighs. I’m not sure how much weight I’ll cut. My goal is definitely a moving target. I’ll probably go back down to 150ish and then reassess.

Rae6503

And just to really make the comparison clear:

ciara19

That's insane! Great job!!

MrsCon40

Amazing work!

DizzyLinds

A true inspiration!!! I think i will try cutting in May before the summer. I'm lifting heavy and the scaled does get me down as it increases although inch wise theres not too much different to when i was eating a lot less and busting a gut at the gym .

kfox15

OMG fantastic! I started heavy lifting about 3 weeks ago and I love the results so far. Your pics really motivate me to forgot the scale and focus on inches and shape. Every woman should lift like this!

inlander

This is what I want to do! Did you work with a personal trainer or read a book that was a good guide, or did you do it all by yourself through trial and error?

Rae6503

This is what I want to do! Did you work with a personal trainer or read a book that was a good guide, or did you do it all by yourself through trial and error?

I started with New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women. I only did stage 1, then I decided to switch to something more "body building" focuses. A trainer friend of mine here gave me a workout, which took too long so I separated it into upper / lower body splits (and made a few other changes). The upper and lower body splits makes it possible to lift 2 or even 3 days in a row, rather than just every other day.

AirCircleI

great job, that is amazing and so interesting! How tall are you?

Rae6503

great job, that is amazing and so interesting! How tall are you?

Thanks. I'm 5'9'

Yanicka1

you are my hero. You are doing great and the difference is fantastique!!!!

TrophyWifeSass

You are such an inspiration Girl. I am also 5' 9" and working towards the new strong is sexy look! Love it!

HotBodUnderConstruction

Haha you should have made the thread title "Size 12 to Size 6 with only 1lb lost" AWESOME job!

mirgss

What a great story and amazing difference! I wish stories like these were at the top of these message boards for the women who are scared of looking like a man.

Do you have any specific strength goals? I know you said you are about to start cutting but I'm just curious.

I just started with New Rules a couple weeks ago and I like it so far....although I was doing fewer reps with heavier weights before so I'm not used to the higher (12-15 rep) stuff. I'll be glad when I get down to 8!

br2012

OMG. thanks for posting the same weight side by side. That's awesome. I have lost 0 lbs in 3 months but have so much more definition due to daily workouts and increasing weight and protein %. Your pics prove its not for nothing!

allisshiney

Fantastic

therealangd

Great job!

HotMommy0609

Oh wow, that's awesome! Thanks for sharing. :flowerforyou:

Meggles63

Awesome! Just what I needed to see. Good for you...you are an inspiration!

kcfaber

Thanks so much for posting this! Just the encouragement I need to keep lifting heavy. I'm on Stage 4 of NROL4W and what a difference in my body if not the scale. You totally rock! Awesome progress!

flausa

I've been watching your progress since I've been on MFP, but that last difference is a-ma-zing! I've been thinking about buying the book, but seeing your success has just pushed me from thinking to doing!!!

gemiwing

Yay! Someone with my body type and height, who's doing what I want to be doing!!! Great progress and big kudos on all that work- it totally paid off!

I'm going to gnaw off an arm before my gym gets set up and I can lift weights. Seeing your progress helps take the sting out of it and replace it with more drive Thanks!

thedreamhazer

Rae, you look AMAZING! The difference is insane, you've done a fantastic job!

kolkol

You look great, I hope to post ones similar some day! Im mainly working more on weight loss right now and then Ill work on my muscle definition, which I do see in my arms and legs already. Im at 185 right now though.Keep up the great work, I know its hard. But I love exercise!

Rae6503

Do you have any specific strength goals? I know you said you are about to start cutting but I'm just curious.

I'm actually pretty happy with the strength gains I've made, and yeah, I'm not sure how much more I can make once I start eating at a calorie deficit. My squats have been stalled at the same weight for a while now, which is annoying. I really wanted to do the "big plates" (so 135) for deads and squats but haven't made it even close with squats. I might switch to 5 x 5s or something.

BarbWhite09

WOW

rmartin72

Wow What Amazing Healthy Story!! Your really doing well on your health and life!! Thank you for sharing!! Awesome Job!!!

Rae6503

Oh and thanks everyone! :flowerforyou:

CarolynB38

When you say you lift heavy, how heavy is heavy? I am about to invest in a dumbbell set (can't afford a gym membership) and was wondering what sort of weight ranges I need. I want to lift heavy because I think that is the way to go. Thanks :happy:

Libby81

Great results, very inspiring

LorinaLynn

LOVE this!!!

Your body is amazing, but what really strikes me is how your face looks so much happier and more confident and just more... fierce!