64 lbs lost, down to BMI 21.2 (pics!)

helenium
helenium Posts: 546 Member
edited December 2024 in Success Stories
Hello everyone!

Just thought I'd share my pictures of losing weight from 191 lbs down to 127 lbs in case this can inspire someone else who's finding themselves in a similar situation :)

December 2010 - taken a year out from university due to depression, decision to lose weight, started starving myself (my mum made me do this, I didn't want to) - 700 cal/day
February 2011 - inevitable plateau
March 2011 - discovered MFP and "eat your exercise calories back" method of weight loss, went up to 1200 calories, started running
June 2011 - weight loss good, ease back to 1350 calories
August 2011 - take up pole dancing, find out I have no muscle anymore
September 2011 - run a half marathon
October 2011 - maintenance calories (1700)
March 2012 - decision to lose more fat so my muscles come through - drop down to 1450 calories/day

Total loss: 64 lbs
Body fat percentage to begin with unknown, now: 23%
BMI: 21.2

My confidence after weight loss was initially very, very low. I'd got a new body and I was a) not used to it and b) didn't really know how to use it. I kept choosing large sizes in clothes shops (common behaviour) and gave myself MUCH more room to squeeze between tables etc. than I actually needed.

In August 2011 I made the decision to get some pole dance lessons with an incredible pole instructor. I started with private lessons - my self-confidence was nil, as mentioned, and wasn't brave enough to start with lessons with other people. I moved badly. I couldn't even walk round the pole with style. I was still wearing my body like a first pair of high heels - slightly wobbly, pigeon steps, nervous.

All thanks to my pole instructor, I now have MUSCLES and SELF CONFIDENCE and I dance with an ego you could bounce bullets off. My dance style is not 100% there - that will take another year at least I'm sure - but I move SO much better than I used to, and my strength is completely transformed. I could barely do a push up from the knees when I started, and hadn't a hope of full push ups. My sit-ups (a fairly useless exercise anyway) were actually awful. The period of starving myself had wasted my muscles away. Now push ups are barely a challenge, my abs are unrecognisable and my quads are excellent.

For those of you who don't have access to a gym and want to strength train - I can offer a ray of hope! I don't strength train at the gym. I'll be honest: I find it boring. I have great respect for those who can bring themselves to do it, but it's not for me. Anyway, onto the pictures.

Trying to limit my selection of before pictures - none truly show the extent of the flab (hiding from camera and all that), but the combination of a few might give you an idea:

Xmas 2009
fat9-30112009.png

Feb 2010 (just after a different crash diet, but on my way up again) - yes I'm shredding a bag into pieces
fat10-19feb2010.jpg

Summer 2010 (now it's really piling on)
fat11-summer2010.jpg

Oct 2010 - But then I started hiding from the camera! I effectively hid from the camera except one shot of my face.
fat1-25102010small.png

That photo really shocked me. That was one of the triggers which made me decide to lose weight.

Skip forward to the end of weight loss...

March 2012
running.jpg

The limits of my current arm strength:
butterfly.PNG

Just now (thank you, pole teacher!):
armmuscles2.JPG

Enjoy!
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Replies

  • helenium
    helenium Posts: 546 Member
    Just trying to fix the last two pics...
  • MiChaChelle
    MiChaChelle Posts: 125 Member
    Amazing progress! U should be very proud of urself
  • speediejane
    speediejane Posts: 496 Member
    amazing well done
  • shmunster
    shmunster Posts: 522 Member
    Wow!!!
  • Tink_889
    Tink_889 Posts: 244 Member
    Wow, an inspirational story and journey. Well done! x
  • KimmyEB
    KimmyEB Posts: 1,208 Member
    Amazing!! You do indeed offer me some hope. Be proud...you earned it! :flowerforyou:
  • ConnieSG
    ConnieSG Posts: 376 Member
    That is so awesome!! Congrats
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    Incredible change! Congrats! X
  • morefitmom
    morefitmom Posts: 264 Member
    I can't see the pics that you posted for some reason but your profile pic is AMAZING! Congrats!
  • reka74
    reka74 Posts: 70 Member
    Wow! It's amazing! Enjoy your new body and your journey to the new you.
    Thank you for sharing and good luck!!
  • SimonIsChanging
    SimonIsChanging Posts: 91 Member
    Well done! Big difference.
  • talamer
    talamer Posts: 516 Member
    Amazing job, well done!
  • toysbigkid
    toysbigkid Posts: 545 Member
    Congrats and thank you for the pick me up, stories like this keep me going.
  • jammasterduggs
    jammasterduggs Posts: 54 Member
    brilliant story well done you
  • jetscreaminagain
    jetscreaminagain Posts: 1,130 Member
    Wow! I'm so proud of you! You are so great! You are so inspiring! Yay!
  • niksinnotts
    niksinnotts Posts: 62 Member
    wow, great job!!!! well done:happy:
  • stuffinmuffin
    stuffinmuffin Posts: 985 Member
    Love this post Helen and you are a true inspiration! It's been a privilege to have followed you on your journey's progress. xxxx
  • DevilishDessert
    DevilishDessert Posts: 24 Member
    great job, keep it up dnt fall back
  • kjmommie
    kjmommie Posts: 77 Member
    WOWWWW you look great.... congrats on your weight lost :flowerforyou:
  • ChristineS_51
    ChristineS_51 Posts: 872 Member
    Wow - you are strong in so many different ways - muscle strength, personal strength, commitment, focus - you deserve your great result :flowerforyou:
  • kymarai
    kymarai Posts: 3,939 Member
    Wonderful job! Great inspiration for others and proof that eating does help you lose!
  • thenewmrsfitz
    thenewmrsfitz Posts: 49 Member
    great success very inspiring!!
  • evertongirl
    evertongirl Posts: 120 Member
    fanntastic results..you should be so proud of yourelf
  • sassylilmama
    sassylilmama Posts: 1,493 Member
    Awesome! You own that pole :)
  • 2April
    2April Posts: 285 Member
    Wow...you look awesome and the pole dancing looks like fun.
  • sonyachan
    sonyachan Posts: 518 Member
    You are amazing! Congratulations!
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    That's pretty cool! :drinker:
  • helenium
    helenium Posts: 546 Member
    Thank you everyone :D I really appreciate the comments!
  • Anu_mee13
    Anu_mee13 Posts: 69 Member
    Way to go!!! You have mega muscles now! I soooo love pole dancing!!! You ROCK!
  • redfroggie
    redfroggie Posts: 591 Member
    Helenium you have come such a long way! You inspire me daily, i'm glad to have you on my friends list. Oh and love the pole pictures! Well done! xx
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