Before and After Pics-Down 94lbs

DuvalPierreYves

Weweeeew
Great job

joislosingit

absolute transformation.. You look terrific

craignev

WOW!!!!...... what a transformation! Well done.

mic1mam

You look so totally different, you should be very proud of your accomplishment.

carrisaalejandre

great job!

Fit147

Amazing! Congrats on sticking with it for a year. Who's the new girl in town!

Ascolti_la_musica

Congratulations! You look so petite now!
How did you do it? How did you get started? What were the hardest obstacles for you along the way, and how did you get past them? We'd all love to hear more!

CKJ118

Thanks everyone! My weight loss began when I went for a physical and the Dr said you need blood pressure meds and "I was like what I am only 34." I think that my biggest challenge in the beginning was breaking bad habits and beginning the exercise because it really got to me that I was so physically un-fit.
When I started out I tried to go all or nothing which quickly backfired and then I decided to do one food switch at a time and take it one day at a time.

-The first thing I did was to cut out sodas and processed sugars from my food choices.
-I MEASURED everything on a food scale or in a measuring cup because my portions were WAY OFF.
-I added in the water and began with Crystal Light and then switched to water with lemon wedges or lime wedges.
-Next I added in a bit of activity which at the time was walking a little over a mile a day.

The first 2-3 weeks was a bit brutal because I was truly a junkfoodaholic and I had huge cravings.

Once I got those changes in place.

-I took to an approach of making my plates 75/25 which is usually 75% vegetables and 20% protein.
-I ALWAYS pair any meal or snack with protein so I do not have a sugar crash and I keep a protein bar with me at all times for those running late and starving moments.
-I added back in condiments that were my old favs, but I brought in lite versions such as laughing cow light cheese instead of cheddar or Land o Lakes light butter at a smaller portion....I use hot sauce quite a bit now too.
-I make a big bunch of healthy vegetable friendly food on Sundays and keep it in the house to eat through the next few days.
-I set small goals for myself every month when it comes to activity. When I started walking I worked my way up to 6 miles or more in a day and then moved on to the gym to tone up and do circuit.
-100 cal snacks can be your friend, they are super convenient and portioned out for you.
-I found exercises that I LOVE because if you hate it you will probably not do it long term....I personally love kickboxing or P90X type workouts and know that I will stick with them long term.
-I kept the one food I truly could not live without and downsized it drastically....I still have my morning cappuccino, but I exercise it off.

This one is a little iffy so I would not recommend it for everyone, but if you can handle it.......

-I personally believe in the cheat meal....not day....but meal....if it is within reason. We go to a Mexican restaurant once a week or I have a treat once a week. I exercise my butt off for the 2 days before and then go out though and I make sure to order high cal stuff on the side or remove the crispy shell bowl of the taco salad.

Sorry for going on and on, I will sum this up with my 4 rules of thumb that I live by daily.

*If you mess up your calories for a day....don't freak out and throw the whole day away.....I saw someone say one day...."If you ran a red light would you keep running every red light for the rest of the day?" I try to always keep that in mind and put that day behind me and start fresh the next day right on track.
*Be as kind to yourself as you would to a good friend and know that the only person that stands in your way is yourself because YOU CAN do this if you stick to it and have so many more good days than bad....we are only human and do the best you can and remember those victories as you have them.
*Exercise even when you don't feel like it....I have to push myself to go to the gym some days, but I feel so much better afterwards and know it is worth it when I leave there feeling great.
*AVOID trigger foods-I know I cannot eat brownies without eating too many so I just don't eat them at all and I stay on track. I love them, but they had to go. Same with Ritz with PB.

Good luck to everyone and know that you can do it and that you are worth it!

sonjawilliams53

Wow! Way to go!

1elena

Thanks everyone! My weight loss began when I went for a physical and the Dr said you need blood pressure meds and "I was like what I am only 34." I think that my biggest challenge in the beginning was breaking bad habits and beginning the exercise because it really got to me that I was so physically un-fit.
When I started out I tried to go all or nothing which quickly backfired and then I decided to do one food switch at a time and take it one day at a time.

-The first thing I did was to cut out sodas and processed sugars from my food choices.
-I MEASURED everything on a food scale or in a measuring cup because my portions were WAY OFF.
-I added in the water and began with Crystal Light and then switched to water with lemon wedges or lime wedges.
-Next I added in a bit of activity which at the time was walking a little over a mile a day.

The first 2-3 weeks was a bit brutal because I was truly a junkfoodaholic and I had huge cravings.

Once I got those changes in place.

-I took to an approach of making my plates 75/25 which is usually 75% vegetables and 20% protein.
-I ALWAYS pair any meal or snack with protein so I do not have a sugar crash and I keep a protein bar with me at all times for those running late and starving moments.
-I added back in condiments that were my old favs, but I brought in lite versions such as laughing cow light cheese instead of cheddar or Land o Lakes light butter at a smaller portion....I use hot sauce quite a bit now too.
-I make a big bunch of healthy vegetable friendly food on Sundays and keep it in the house to eat through the next few days.
-I set small goals for myself every month when it comes to activity. When I started walking I worked my way up to 6 miles or more in a day and then moved on to the gym to tone up and do circuit.
-100 cal snacks can be your friend, they are super convenient and portioned out for you.
-I found exercises that I LOVE because if you hate it you will probably not do it long term....I personally love kickboxing or P90X type workouts and know that I will stick with them long term.
-I kept the one food I truly could not live without and downsized it drastically....I still have my morning cappuccino, but I exercise it off.

This one is a little iffy so I would not recommend it for everyone, but if you can handle it.......

-I personally believe in the cheat meal....not day....but meal....if it is within reason. We go to a Mexican restaurant once a week or I have a treat once a week. I exercise my butt off for the 2 days before and then go out though and I make sure to order high cal stuff on the side or remove the crispy shell bowl of the taco salad.

Sorry for going on and on, I will sum this up with my 4 rules of thumb that I live by daily.

*If you mess up your calories for a day....don't freak out and throw the whole day away.....I saw someone say one day...."If you ran a red light would you keep running every red light for the rest of the day?" I try to always keep that in mind and put that day behind me and start fresh the next day right on track.
*Be as kind to yourself as you would to a good friend and know that the only person that stands in your way is yourself because YOU CAN do this if you stick to it and have so many more good days than bad....we are only human and do the best you can and remember those victories as you have them.
*Exercise even when you don't feel like it....I have to push myself to go to the gym some days, but I feel so much better afterwards and know it is worth it when I leave there feeling great.
*AVOID trigger foods-I know I cannot eat brownies without eating too many so I just don't eat them at all and I stay on track. I love them, but they had to go. Same with Ritz with PB.

Good luck to everyone and know that you can do it and that you are worth it!

Loved this post. A little long but very much worth the time. Thank you so much for your tips and inspiration. You have really helped me today to stay on track. I came on here this morning for some inspiration and I definitely went to the right place. Thanks again and congratulations.

nturner612

wow! amazin job!! congrats ms petite!!!

hope8311

bump

SparklyPinkMom

Amazing - Congrats! You had a similar starting weight as mine and the same goal. It gives me inspiration that maybe next time this year I can be there too

yorkieII

thank you for sharing your success story...your hard work has paid off..you look great!

ReneeDittmar

Thank you for sharing! Great advice, amazing story!

130942

How many calories did you have to get this done in a year?

130942

I am starting too- I have 75 to lose- how many calories are you on?
Kate

BigRedgw2010

SUPER WOW!!!!
You look amazing.

Gerald_King

Fantastic

fatfrost

GTFO. That is not the same person. Seriously? That is amazing.

csheltra26

Holy macaroni! You look amazing! Thank you for the motivation to know this can be done!!

nazashi

Wonderful!!
Love your post..makes me want to try a little harder!

new2locs

WOW!!!::noway:

mikey1976

wow you can't even tell it the same person great job

jenilla1

I can see why you are so successful. Your advice is brilliant! :drinker:

(Edited for typo.) :blushing:

rfmnl

Congrats! Your story is very inspiring to me. I started out at 222 and my goal is 142 (about where you are now). I am down 44 pounds, and it is inspiring to see someone who has reached their goal. It is easy to get complacent and just be satisfied to have lost the weight I have. But you inspire me to keep working to get ALL THE WAY to my goal.

Be very proud of yourself, and thanks for posting!

douglasbeale

Truly inspirational! I didn't exercise today, and went over my calories.... I'm going to change my clothes and get on my bike now. Thank you!

dschassie

Awesome job and such hard work. You should be so proud!

brandyosu

Fantastic transformation - great work - you look terrific!

easycure

wonderful job!