27 Pounds lost... Advice Needed

charliehefferon

I had never worried about how much I weighed, what size clothes I was, or anything like that. I had always been able to eat what I want and get away with it....

But I started to realize that as I was getting older, it wasn't so easy to maintain my size! So in January, I started cutting out junk food, eating more veggies and fruit and EXERCISING!!! I hadn't worked out since I was at school, so this was a shock to the system!

But, it's been 10 months now. I've taken it slowly and sure, I've fallen off the wagon plenty - but this isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle choice, so everything in moderation I say!!!

My BMI started at 25.7 (just in the overweight category) but I now have it down to a much healthier 20.6! I wish I had taken measurements beforehand to give me an idea on inches lost and BF% ... But I have gone from a UK size 10/12 to a 8. I have also dropped two cup sizes from an E cup!

I am a couple of pounds away from my UGW, but I really want to start toning up now! I need advice on where to start basically! I have a small tree of weights, so that's my starting point. All exercise is done at home (I refuse to pay £35+ for gym membership!!) So, can anyone out there point me in the right direction?

I've attached two photos (well I hope I have... I've never done this before!!) The photo from the front shows me in September 2010 on holiday (I think I was at my largest here!!) then in March 2012, then a couple of days ago.
The one from the side is March 2012 and then a couple of days ago.

Thanks in advance!!!


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89535711@N02/8147161779/&quot; title="photo 2 by charlie.hefferon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8147161779_13a2e6e189.jpg&quot; width="500" height="500" alt="photo 2"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/89535711@N02/8147161575/&quot; title="photo by charlie.hefferon, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8190/8147161575_f142b25c9f.jpg&quot; width="500" height="500" alt="photo"></a>

charliehefferon

photo by charlie.hefferon, on Flickr

charliehefferon

photo 2 by charlie.hefferon, on Flickr

Crazy4Healthy

What size weights do you have at home? If they are on the smaller end (2-10 lbs), I would recommend maybe getting some larger ones (15-40) and start doing some weight training. There are tons of programs out there (New Rules of Lifting for Women which I strongly recommend, Stronglifts, etc). In order to do those programs you would also need a barbell and free weights, I'm guessing you may not have those at home.

I've seen lots of people on here have good results with 30 Day Shred, Insanity, etc. You could also try starting with one of those. Body weight exercises are also great (pushups, pullups, planks, etc) and yoga helps build the core.

Bottom line, you need to get some weight training in if you really want to tone things up.

Marigenous

Wow, first of all :amazing job! You're looking great.

Well, your legs already look pretty toned from what I can see but things like wall sits, lunges, and heel raises are good for legs. http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/fitness/thigh-workout-oct00#slide-1
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/butt/exercises/bootylicious-15-minute-butt-workout/

For your stomach, just a lot of things like sit-ups, crunches. mountain-climbers, and criss-crosses.
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/abs/exercises/flat-abs-core-workout/?page=1
http://www.womansday.com/health-fitness/workout-routines/tummy-toning-exercises#slide-1

slimsdown

wow, well done on your weightloss!!