1 year MFP, 5'6", down 55lbs

courtniemarie

I signed up for MyFitnessPal on March 6, 2012 weighing in at 231 pounds. Being 5’6.5” tall and not eating anything my body really wanted, I was definitely pretty deep in the hole.

I think the winters in northern USA are tough for everyone living here and it was probably a combination of being seasonally depressed and sick of my body that made March a good month to figure out what was going on. By October 2012, I had successfully dropped below 200 lbs and started really researching fitness and the body. I took my first body fat measurement (just with an online calculator) and was at 41.3%. Not Good. Although I had lost over 30lbs my fat/muscle ratio was nowhere near where it should be. If there’s any advice I can echo from the many success stories on here it’s to measure EVERYTHING from the beginning. Do not let yourself lose muscle mass. If you are overweight like I was, know that you have plenty of muscle under the fat that is working hard to move a larger body around. Don’t lose that muscle!

I decided I would look into the stupid paleo diet (seriously, who doesn’t love cereal?) and start working some strength training into my routine. I completed a month of pretty strict paleo eating in January 2013 and haven’t looked back… well except for dairy. I’ve looked at that a lot since the end of January. Anyway, I’ve lost another 22lbs since October 2012 and am down to 33.8% body fat as of today (don’t miss grains at all, can’t say the same for sugar). I was given the New Rules of Lifting for Women book two weeks ago and started the strength program on 2/25/13. Hoping to stick with it for at least 6-months, so I’ll let you know how that goes down the road.

Stick with it everyone. Don’t ever give up on the one thing that is stuck with you for the rest of your life – your body. Take care of it because you only have one and a short time in which to enjoy it!

Thank you to all the success stories on here and elsewhere that kept me going (and still do) and gave me encouragement every day! Couldn’t have done it without MFP which also led me to other helpful tools: NerdFitness and the New Rules for Women!

Sorry, I know I love seeing pics on here but I don't really have any to post that aren't on my profile already!

sarahlouise7

well done you!! 55lbs is a great achievement, and in good time too!! I too have lost 55lbs, but its taken me a long time and iv still got 45lb to go!! I have looked into the paleo diet, im not too far off it some days so maybe il do it strictly along with my weight training and cardio to see better results.

Very inspirational, I look forward to seeing you reach your goal!!

olDave

Just more proof that an average of one pound/week is doable. Good job for being patient and allowing the plan to work.

mamasmaltz3

You have done great! I'm so happy for you. That is great advice about keeping the muscle you have, it's so important. Thanks for being a great pal. I look forward to seeing you reach all your fitness goals.