1 Year on MFP - Lots of Pics

omma_to_3

As a background, I have always been heavy - at least since I hit puberty. I have PCOS which caused very rapid weight gain once I hit puberty. I also have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I've tried losing weight before and short of starving myself, diet and exercise would work only for a short time. I very quickly would reach a place where I stopped losing, due to the insulin resistance of PCOS. About 12 or so years ago, I started taking Metformin. By improving my insulin resistance, I was now capable of losing weight. However, because of the YEARS of hard work with zero results, I had no motivation and never put in a real effort.

In January of 2011 we left for Korea to meet our youngest son. It was an AMAZING trip for the whole family. We spent over a week touring Seoul with our older two children (also Korean). If you've ever been to Seoul, you know you will do a TON of walking. And stairs. Lots of stairs in the subways. During that trip, I actually lost 6 pounds. When we got back home, I was on maternity leave for 3 months. Finn didn't sleep much so it was a blur of Mt. Dew and toaster waffles. Surprisingly, I didn't gain any of those 6 pounds back. In May 2011, I went back to work and decided it was time to lose some weight. I found MFP and started logging on May 4, 2011. I didn't take any real before pictures because frankly, I didn't really think this time would be THE time. You know what I mean.

But I really did make the effort. I was logging my food consistently and having cheat days several times a month. And I was losing weight. I continued losing weight through September but the weight loss started slowing. In October, I started using my treadmill again for walking. I started with 20 minutes of walking. I continued this routine for quite a while. At Christmas, I had some major setbacks. I have a HUGE cookie baking day every Christmas. While I was able to give away most of the cookies, I got a bad cold right after and spent nearly two weeks doing nothing but eating comfort food (because of my autoimmune issues, I don't get sick often but when I do, it's BAD).

Once January hit, it was time to get back on track. I won't lie, after two weeks of nothing, it was HARD. But I got back on track. I started the 30 DS at the end of January and after 9 days, got injured. That took me out for 1 to 2 weeks, but I continued logging my food. In February, I started kicking up my workouts and by March, I was starting C25K. In April, as I was continuing C25K (even though I frequently redo weeks, etc) I upped my calories a little.

I am currently about to start week 7 of C25K. To date, I have lost 50.5 pounds, and that includes the 6 I lost before I started using MFP. From my estimated highest weight (after my oldest son came home but while we were waiting for my daughter to come home), I have probably lost about 69 pounds. I have gone from a size 18W/20W (at my highest weight, I was a 22W) to a size 14, or even a 12 on the bottom, depending on the cut. I will continue, and ultimately hope to lose another 45 pounds. This fall, I hope to find time to start weight training. That will be harder because it's not something I have the equipment to do at home

A couple of pictures from my highest weight, years ago:



A few pictures shortly before starting with MFP:




And now, some afters! These are all very recent, but sorry for the poor quality! I think you can still see the difference LOL.




And some side by sides of the above pictures:

Nikkilynn32710

You look great! keep it up! Amazing transformation!

swthrtsmrf

Wow! You look amazing. I love your dress!

Just1forMe

Congrats!!!! You look amazing I also have Hashimoto's so I understand how difficult this journey is. Keep up the great work! Your children are beautiful by the way :flowerforyou:

mblampton

Congrats!!! You really do look amazing - I'm so proud of you!! :flowerforyou:

shel1103

Beautiful, and love the dress!!!!

bizgirl26

Love the side by side photos , Congrats

omma_to_3

Thanks all! I was SO self-conscious in that dress (and will admit, from the side it didn't look fantastic LOL - I still have a big belly). People kept looking at me at the play we were at and I was thinking bad thoughts...then a lady came up and complimented me on my outfit. So maybe people weren't laughing at me LOL.

SirRunningShorts

GREAT JOB! You look amazing! That is a lot of hard work, you should be very proud of yourself.

angelique_inspiration

Really great job, keep up the good work. You look great!

Strobins05

Awesome, you look GREAT! Keep up the hard work you are putting in! This is so inspiring!:flowerforyou:

jjnt007

You look beautiful and I love that dress.

WifeNMama

Gorgeous Mama, and adorable kids. :-)

ahernandez1914

you look great i really needed to see this thanks so much!!! i also have pcos and im having such a difficult time with weight loss!

cbu23

Such a difference, you look great! Keep it up and thank you so much for sharing!

hoosier_red

PCOS and Hashimoto's here, too, and it sucks donkey balls. But you've done SO well -- good for you!!!

svioleta

Great job!! Keep it up.

shammxo

Such a great job. You're looking amazing

alilovesray

AWESOME !!! Keep it up. That is what I hope to accomplish after one year. So far I am almost at my midway point of my goal. So MFP is a life changer for sure.

Red7Basil

WOW! Great job!!!!

SheilaSisco

There is a DEFINITE difference! and the dress in your after is simply stunning. Where did you get it???

Kath712

Wow - what a difference!! WTG!!

treatingmybodyright

You look amazing! Great job!

omma_to_3

There is a DEFINITE difference! and the dress in your after is simply stunning. Where did you get it???

Someone from MFP turned me on to this site! The dresses run EXACT to the measurements listed so you'll likely have to size up. I ordered an XXL and am a size 14.

http://www.pinupgirlclothing.com/

kmshred

absolutely fantastic! transformation! beautiful family too!

andreanicole686

You look amazing!! Love that dress and what cute kids!

czechmate823

You look absolutely, positively fabulous! And what a beautiful family too!! Great work, and what a great role model for your children, you set a goal, you were determined not to be derailed, and you stuck with it! That's terrific - best of luck to you as you reach for your next goal! Love the turquoise dress by the way!!

zsesteacher

You look amazing...and I love your dress...keep up the great work...believe and anything is possible...take care and God bless you and your beautiful family...

Yvette

RILEYRED

You look fantastic, you must be thrilled and feel great. Congratulations to you!!!!! Red:flowerforyou:

SoBodyMazing

Way to go! You look Great!

Steve_Runs

great work!