100+ Pound Winners

karmah2771

I am calling this thread "winners" because those who have lost over 100 pounds are winners and not losers in my book.

The reason that I am starting this thread is because I, myself, am in need of losing over 100 pounds. (Over 20 pounds down so far!) I am looking for inspirational before and after pics as well as the details on what lifestyle changes you incorporated in order to do so.

For example:
Dietary changes (caloric intake you started out as versus now, foods cut out or added, programs, etc.)

Exercise: Cardio, Strength, DVDs, etc. Gym or at Home, etc. (Specifics as to DVD names, etc. help.)

In regards to exercise, did you have any physical limitations when you started? If so, how did you work around them?

What was hardest for you to do at your old weight versus what you can do easily now, accomplishments and abilities that you have gained since losing, etc.

How did you keep yourself motivated?

Did you use a "reward" system for yourself? If so, what did it consist of?

I really appreciate everyone who participates in this thread. It will give me (and hopefully others) the inspiration that I (we) need to keep on going.

Thank you so very much!

ShannonMpls

Hi

I'm down 110 and am inching very close to my goal. To answer your questions (with the caveat that this is what worked for ME):

Dietary changes (caloric intake you started out as versus now, foods cut out or added, programs, etc.):

I started out at around 1800 calories, then inched down to 1500, then right back up to 1700, 1800, 1900, and now I'm at 2,040. I do not eat exercise calories. Previously when I had a lot of weight to lose, a big deficit was fine. Now, I subtract a deficit from my TDEE, which already includes my exercise so o eat back those calories would be double counting. I wrote a blog entry on this method here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ShannonMpls/view/tdee-exercise-calories-an-alternate-way-to-customize-mfp-goals-238045

My current cal goal is actually the sedentary TDEE for my height/weight. Every pound I lose from here forward will be from cals burned due to exercise. Makes me like the gym even more

I eat a higher protein, higher fat, lower carb diet - though not truly low carb, just lower than before...under 150 grams a day. This keeps me from eating junk food, generally, but I still have pasta, fruit, veggies, etc. Protein of 130+. My diary is open even if you're not my MFP friend. I home cook almost everything; I've never once logged a Lean Cuisine.

I have 2-3 no-logging days a month. I call them days of indulgence. There are no "cheats" just "treats"

Exercise: Cardio, Strength, DVDs, etc. Gym or at Home, etc. (Specifics as to DVD names, etc. help.)

Strength training three hours a week, cardio 2-3 hours a week, some weeks an hour of yoga. It's all at the gym except runs outside. With strength training, I see a trainer every other week and get a new routine, and I repeat that until our next session (all free weights/cable cross/mat work/etc). For cardio, it's zumba or tabata classes; if I'm on a machine, it's sprint or hill intervals on the treadmill and some steady-state on an elliptical.

When I first started, the only cardio I did was elliptical for 45-60 minutes once I got built up to it. I did do weight training from day one, though, and I'm quite glad about it. I have a better than expected body fat percentage.

In regards to exercise, did you have any physical limitations when you started? If so, how did you work around them?
Thankfully, no - it was just about getting back into shape. I started going slowly on the elliptical for 20 minutes, then increased it when I could. Now I can run 4 miles without batting an eye and I am in love with lifting heavy weights When I'm in a Tabata class, I'm still going strong while others are barely able to keep up. I am FIT now and I looooove it.

What was hardest for you to do at your old weight versus what you can do easily now, accomplishments and abilities that you have gained since losing, etc.

It's pretty wonderful to go biking with my family for hours without getting tired. I also love being able to shop ANYWHERE It fits!

How did you keep yourself motivated?
My trainer helped a lot; those check-ins kept me going. I also really relied on my MFP friends and friends I've made at the gym. The support matters immensely. I'm not in this alone.

Did you use a "reward" system for yourself? If so, what did it consist of?
Nope, not at all. I had a ton of little milestones and I "celebrated" when I met them but I'm very goal-oriented. Once I accomplished one, I was all, "okay, what's next?" No planned treats, shopping, etc. I take care of myself all the time, I shop when I need to, and hitting each new goal is all the reward I need


Hope this helps. As I've said before, you can do this. Just start and once you've started, don't stop.



Pics (I am 5'10"):


about 90 pounds lost


just shy of 100 pounds lost, right before running a 7k