Stepping Stones to My Success Story.

Sweetness023

A few months back when I first started up with MFP I posted a topic along with photos of my weight loss, going from 256lb to 185.
This is the thread if you want to check out the photos. --!> http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/586347-so-close

Shortly after that my feeble attempts fell by the wayside, I became less active and didn't watch what I was putting in to my body and the lbs slowly crept back up to 201.

On July 31st I decided for the final time that I was tired of feeling uncomfortable in my clothes and jumped back on to the fitness horse and see my journey to the end! And this time I am sticking to it.

On my first day after eating healthy all day, I binged that night.

My second day was better.

Today I was feeling less than thrilled at how I was coming along on this journey because when you look at yourself in the mirror every day it's hard to see changes. And of course we all want to lose weight and get fit over night. Instant satisfaction and all that. They say it takes 4 weeks for you to see the changes in yourself, 8 weeks for others to see them so I'm hanging in there!

That was until I took the puppy out for his morning romp around the yard and just so happened to look down at my legs. I was shocked when I saw actual muscle definition in my thighs. I got so excited that I had to take progress photos to see how I was coming along!

Hopefully the photos load properly, I always have issues when trying to post them here.

I'm not bothering fixing my hair and make up because although it may make me feel better about myself, this is about my journey to being healthy, not pretty. And I'd rather see the changes in my body than thicker, longer lashes on my face.

Here I am on August 2nd. 200lb and ready to get healthy.




This is me today August 16th, half way through my third week hovering between 194 and 191lb. (Fat loss and muscle growth). After a big breakfast, 3 glasses of water and a little indulgence late last night. Not sure if that makes any difference to how I would have looked if I had taken these before so but thought I'd add that in there. I can't wait until I don't have a muffin top in these shorts! haha

My progress so far:

The first week was a complete revamp of my diet, no pop, no fast food, no eating after 7pm and plenty of water. No exercise this week. 9lb lost (water weight etc.)

Week two I hit the gym 5 days alternating cardio and strength training put together by a trainer at my gym. Ate out once at Red Robin and had a semi healthy meal but stuck with my healthy eating the rest of the time. Again, lots and lots of water and no food after 7pm.

Week three. Again, I've been to the gym every day so far this week but I've been slowly losing motivation. Again, bottles and bottles of water drunk, sticking to caloric goal set for me and still not eating after 7pm (apart from last night. I indulged in a slice of pizza and 5 chicken wings with ranch dressing from Pizza hut around 10pm last night - I cringe when I think of the calories but I don't think I went over much as I still had about 1k left over and I've decided not to guilt myself over it, just work extra hard today. )

And although I'm not seeing big changes on the scale, all the ups and downs are disheartening, I measure myself weekly as well and so far I'm losing upwards of an inch around my hips and waist (my most troublesome areas I don't like) which keeps me going strong.

After looking at both sets of photos, the changes are small but they are noticeable and there and I am proud of myself.

I do have to say that not only am I becoming stronger physically but emotionally and mentally as well, I have more willpower, I feel more enlightened, more at peace with myself and not so negative all the time. We all have our off days but they're becoming less and less as time goes on and I love it. I haven't finished most of what I've started in my lifetime and I am excited to say that I am 100% willing and motivated to see this through to the end, even if I have to kick myself in the *kitten* to stay on track, get up and go to the gym/be active and healthy.

Keep up the amazing work everyone!