Two years, just 20lbs but a huge difference - loads of pics

BerryH

It's a familiar story. In the dying embers of my twenties, I found I'd got complacent and contented. In a well-paid job, "Let's just get a takeaway" or "Let's open a second bottle of wine, Thursday is the new Friday after all," became my siren call.

Moving to a new office, I ended up sharing an office with an Australian girl who was the most super-fit person I'd ever encountered - she ran marathons and could do a triathlon at the drop of a hat. Aged 29 I was wearing a size 18 (US size 14) polyester trouser suit and getting out of breath climbing stairs. With my colleague's encouragement, I joined the local YMCA gym. Starting with basic gym work and beginner's aerobics, I worked my way up to high-impact classes and circuit training. I can remember running my first mile on the treadmill as if it were yesterday. It took me 13.5 minutes, and I felt, and looked, as if I'd explode.

But within months I was running 5Ks, then 10Ks. I took part in a relay triathlon, then a sprint triathlon of my own. At my fittest, I took part in The X Zone, a hardcore fitness competition, in 2001. I looked like this:


I weep for that tiny waist!

But something went wrong. I felt that was it, I was fit, I didn't need to work at it any more. I threw away my Big Book Of Calories, and although I never abandoned fitness altogether, I didn't have any goals. Then I changed careers to journalism, a high-stress, low-pay job if ever there was one. After a long illness my mum died, I took it out on my partner, and ended up single, clinically depressed, and very, very fat. Here I am aged 43, once again straining size 18 clothes, and weighing 14 stone (196lbs):



Realising I needed to get fit, and armed with my new smartphone, I started shopping for apps (free ones because I was broke!). I tried a few running and walking trackers which got me mobile but weren't terribly inspirational. Then I stumbled across MFP, which I was a bit meh about as as standalone app until I discovered the motivational forums and made awesome, inspirational friends.

I did a lot of this:


Bought a lot of this from the local market:


Sweated this much:


And ran to Zombies, Run!, even in the rain:


I ate more to lose more, usually more than 2,000 calories a day. I tried lifting heavy, but it wasn't for me (too hurty to run the next day, easily bored, and no squat rack), and ended up doing more dynamic resistance work, especially kettlebells, and circuit training style exercise DVDs. If I couldn't do anything else, I'd walk fast at lunchtime.

At one point I'd lost 28lb, or two stones in old money. I was disappointed to put 8lb back on, but you know what? The number on the scale doesn't matter. Unless you have it tattooed on your forehead, no-one's going to see it except you.

Today I look like this:


I still have a long way to go in terms of shifting body composition and increasing fitness, but that's nothing compared with how far I've come, and I couldn't have done it without you. MFP friends. Thank you :flowerforyou:

BendySpartan

Amazing, you have done so so well. An inspiration xx

wwmorrow

Great job! You've come a long way and are very inspirational!

anu_6986

Awesome!

Faye_Anderson

You're amazing Berry :drinker:

lwoodroff

Fantastic transformation, there is just no substitute for determination is there!

Nottm1984

Really inspirational, shows the reality of the journey we're all on when we join MFP. Not always easy, but with motivational stuff like this on here then it makes you feel like it can be done! :-) Well done and thank you for being such a great MFP friend. :-)

lazyspice

Fab thread! Berry you look great and you were one of my earliest inspirations on MFP, you never give up and I love seeing your posts on my news feed - thank you x

CaliforniaSweetheart

That is such a huge difference! Really motivational!

mikeyrp

You're looking great B!

pollypo

Well done, you look great. I know it was hard work but it paid off.

cjs3001

You look like you're about to kick *kitten* and take names in that last shot. Absolutely awesome.

Dragonfly1996

You have done so well BH - you have come a long way!! Proud to have shared the last two years with you!! Here's to the future!!! :flowerforyou:

jonnyman41

a really nice piece of realistic weight loss and the things that have driven you

witchy_wife

Fabulous! You have done amazing well, well done x

NicoleR1980

Wow you look amazing and so much younger CONGRATULATIONS

Markguns

Good Job Berry...:flowerforyou: yeah that ol depression bug can mess you up, I know. Keep on truckin! Cheers! :drinker:

linski24

Wow .. That's fantastic :-) you look great ..!!
Can I ask how many times a week you exercised ..??
I do 3 mainly sometimes 4 times .. I'm a busy nurse 3 times a week too (ED so I'm always running around like a headless chicken)
I usually do 1 class of HITT exercise ... Run once or twice a week (3-4miles) and then a Jillian michaels DVD.
I only have 7lbs to lose .. Started doing more calories a nd lost 4lbs in January. I'm also 43 :-)
I'm hoping that I will get what you have .. You look ace x

BerryH

Wow .. That's fantastic :-) you look great ..!!
Can I ask how many times a week you exercised ..??
I do 3 mainly sometimes 4 times .. I'm a busy nurse 3 times a week too (ED so I'm always running around like a headless chicken)
I usually do 1 class of HITT exercise ... Run once or twice a week (3-4miles) and then a Jillian michaels DVD.
I only have 7lbs to lose .. Started doing more calories a nd lost 4lbs in January. I'm also 43 :-)
I'm hoping that I will get what you have .. You look ace x

Thanks!

I only do "formal" exercise three or four times a week too, but I make sure I get some exercise every day. If I have a busy evening ahead, at lunchtime I'll swim at the local council pool near work, or run and have a wet-wipe shower (no showers at work!). If I know I won't have time to get sweaty, I go for a half-hour power-walk, or do some resistance exercises in ad breaks if I can't drag myself away from the TV.

BerryH

You look like you're about to kick *kitten* and take names in that last shot. Absolutely awesome.

:laugh: My favourite comment so far, thanks! :flowerforyou:

jakidb

Wow!!!

nazashi

Awesome job!!

momof377

Awesome!! And very inspirational.

grabenson7

You look fab, well done.

maryannelk

great work! thanks for sharing!

jogy

Thank you! You're an inspiration!

SueSlick

Fabulous result Bernice!!! You continue to be a great source of inspiration & knowledge, and I look forward to your cheeky comments every day. Way to keep on keeping on girl!!

Crankstr

BEEP (rhymes with itch), you're FABULOUS!

mikevdm

What a transformation!! Keep up the great work and dedication.

imkegoal

wow, can't believe how much of a difference 20 lb can make just by doing the exercise! What i love about it is that you have made such a big transformation, but still enjoy your weekend wines and 'full English' regularly. hats off to you, Miss.

koren28

Congrats! Keep up the good work!