So...I guess I'm a success story now?

kirlia

I still have 3 more lbs to go according to the ticker, but I kind of just decided on a random goal number based on standard BMI, and now that I'm at the size I'm at, I'm pretty much satisfied with myself. And my ultimate goal was just to be happy about my body, so this is definitely a success!

I lost 19 lbs 9 weeks by going raw vegan and doing circuit training at the gym 3-4 x per week. I realize that's a lot of weight to lose in a relatively short time (especially for somebody who didn't start out big), but I honestly wasn't trying to lose quickly, it just happened! And I can't say I'm upset about it My diet was definitely the biggest factor in the weight loss. I started going to the gym in October, but wasn't seeing any results, weight-wise until I changed my diet in November. Since then the lbs just started coming off like crazy. I started at 1200 calories, which I see so many people hating on, but I never really had any trouble with it. I know it was the quality of calories I was eating that was keeping me satisfied. Anyone who says calorie quality doesn't count for anything has no idea what they're talking about, straight up. Here's proof:

Standard American diet:
Mcdonald's large fries - 500 cals
Mcdonalds large coke - 310 cals
Mcdonald's big mac - 540 cals

Total: 1350 (but obviously not very satisfying, for more than a day's worth of calories!)

Annnnnd my diet (taken straight from my diary!)
Breakfast: nutmilk smoothie with banana, peanut butter, cocoa powder & chia seed - 465 cals

Lunch: tomato tofu (200g) - 235 cals
hummus (2 tbsp) - 70 cals
carrots (3 oz) - 40 cals
celery (100g) - 14 cals

Snack: pear (166g) - 100 cals

Dinner: kale & spinach salad w/ tomato, green pepper, mixed beans, crumbled tofu & flax seed - 226 cals
dressing (2 tbsp) - 50 cals

Total: 1200 on the dot! (Although it should be noted, this was a day without exercise - if I was going to the gym, I would definitely eat more)

In conclusion, of course 1200 calories a day isn't enough if you're eating like an idiot That said, I changed my goals from 1 lb/week to 0.5 after a month or so on here, and my calories went up, which I won't lie, I was very happy about (seeing as I love food)...I'm currently eating right around maintenance at 1500.

Anyway, my results! I started at body fat % 29.8, measurements 36-30-41; as of January 3, my body fat was down to 25.6% and my measurements were 35-26-37 (I'm due to update my stats next week, so they will be even better by then - hopefully!)



1st picture is November, 2nd is December, 3rd in January.

I know my story isn't as amazing as some because I didn't have a significant amount of weight to lose, but for that very reason I thought it would take me forever to lose 20 lbs - I'm so happy and proud that I did it in just over 2 months, by being totally healthy - because now I can start MAINTAINING and getting to eat all those extra, delicious calories!

I just want to say thank you to mfp - without the calorie counter and supportive people I've met on here, I don't think I would have been nearly as successful!

Edit: sorry the pictures too big! You can copy and paste into a new browser here: http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d52/onefortytwo/wow_zps817a193d-1_zps1ac26812.jpg

Edit 2: ok I found out how to make it smaller

emilyc85

amazing job! You look great!

kirlia

Thank you!

Momto32010

Wow, congratulations! You look great!

Toumani

Wow, you look great! Of course it's an accomplishment when you have less to lose. That's not easy either!

If people start hating on you, whatever, they certainly don't have your figure!

PS how did you resize your pics?

acogg

Awesome job! I especially like your post for two reasons. 1. You stopped when you felt like you looked good, and you do. 2. You explained how you did it and why. Yes, 1200 calories for females, if managed with a healthy balanced diet, is not starvation. I have noticed that most of the people who lecture against 1200 calories are young, athletic males. ROFL!

Congrats on your success!:drinker:

runningwoodpecker

You look great!!! How tall are you?

leketchup

Congratulation On Success!

You really look beautiful, now hit the weight training and watch guys jaws dropping in summer.

rgagnon1

You look great! How tall are you?

sam308lbs

well done!! incredible work done in such a short span..kudos to you!

craignev

Congratulations for achieving your goal

kirlia

Thanks so much for the kind words everyone!

@ rgagnon and runningwood, I'm 5'5"

@ leketchup, the heaviest weights at my gym are only 14 lbs, but rest assured I'm using the heck out of them!

mscoco10

Yes you are!! Be proud no matter what.

jehavin

I am really amazed by your transformation! When I am done being pregnant, I might just try to do what you did. How did you prepare the tofu? (no clue how you would even begin to cook that)

I especially love how you were able to CHANGE the shape of your hips/thighs/legs---something I've struggled with my whole life and just thought was totally unalterable!

How do you plan on maintaining this? Will you add meat/dairy/carbs back in? (Just curious!)

ETA: just noticed that you do have peanut butter, cocoa and beans (what are mixed?) in here for carbs. What about wheat/corn/rice? Will you add those?

quirkytizzy

You look amazing - and that IS a success story! Wow! Fantastic hard work - and very inspiring! (Also, you have TEH TASTIEST FOODS IN YER DIARY TOO!!!)

kirlia

@ Toumani, sorry I missed your question before - I resized it at the image host where I uploaded it, I have no idea how to do that on mfp!

@ jehavin - OH GOSH, don't even get me started on tofu (most versatile food EVER)! For basic use, I throw it in smoothies (to make them creamier), and crumble it on top of pasta/salads to imitate cheese. Because it's so amazing at absorbing other flavours, I'll mix it up in a bowl with some spices or simple sauces for some extra deliciousness. I make a mean vegan egg salad by mixing a small block of tofu with 1 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 tsp chia seed, a clove or garlic, and 1/2 tsp of dill or basil. I'll also add a tbsp or 2 of fresh salsa to this in the morning and eat it as raw tofu scramble. Also you can get fermented tofu (tempeh) which has a bit of a stronger taste and texture, but is also super good for you. If you're not raw though, there's a whole lot more you can do with it! I COULD GO ON FOREVER ABOUT TOFU BECAUSE I LOVE IT SO! But I'll leave it at that. As for the maintenance plan, definitely not going back to meat, everrrrrrrr! (Nor dairy, I was actually already a longterm vegan when I started this.) I do get tons of carbs already though because I eat so many fruits and veggies, so I'm not concerned about adding wheat or rice or anything back. Honestly I thought I was going to do raw as a short term fix, but I really like it - the benefits of this lifestyle extend far beyond weight loss, so I'm going to stick with it, and take it even farther if I can!

@ quirkytizzy - speaking of my wonderful supportive mfp friends who I would not have been able to do this without...

I should have mentioned in the first post - feel free to add me if you'd like to see my diary (I'm not sure if you can see it publicly because my profile is private) or just to exchange general support!

bootsandfros

You look great! although you didnt have far to go the change is apparent. I actually would love to go vegan but not raw.

TerriAnne53

you look fantastic. great committment.

teddyintown

You look really good! Congrats!!

fitjulz40in12

You are so correct. It is ALL about the type of calories you eat, not just the number. I am so happy to see you so successful. I myself am starting to make a change with getting better calories, not just less.

MyChocolateDiet

Congrat's!

kirlia

Thanks again all )

FitBeto

Looking awesome STILL!

learningtolove

Awesome! As someone who has 20 pounds to lose starting out at 140 you are an inspiration!

SamanthaClarexo

You look awesome! x

NutellaAddict

Where did you get those blacked out sunglasses?

chandanders

WOW!!!! You look amazing! Congratulations on reaching your goal

akilahleemarie

great job!! I am in the process of losing vanity pounds (started out at a size 7/8 trying to get to a size 0, currently a size 2-3) and it is not as easy as some people think "oh you only have 15 pounds to lose its not that hard"...i know from experience having 3 kids and gaining alot of weight, and then going to from a size 13/14 to a 7/8..which was about 30-40 pounds for me..was far more easy than losing these vanity pounds just to achieve that long lean look...again great job!

HopetoFaith

Fanatic very happy for you I wasa thinking lots about going row diet too. I started at 163 lbs in October now down to 138 ish but been at this weight for like 3 month now and seems like scale don't budget I do exercise 5 to 6 times a week doing insanity I toned up in this 3 month but my goal to loose bf fat too so far went down from 35.4 to 27.4 would be very happy extremely happy to be at 17% or so but I have far to go. So now after seeing your results I'm considering it even more. If you would like to be my friend on mfp pleas add me ( I'm not gonna bother you by sending you a request just incase you don't wanna ) thanks for sharing and by the ways you look fantastic

kirlia

Aw thank you guys :') I didn't even realize this post was still going!