Progress Pics - January to April

brillmer

Hello friends, Daniel here again.

For anyone who wants the full stories.. Here are my posts on reddit.

http://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/comments/19v996/my_story_updated_m25240185/

http://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/comments/1a312v/found_an_old_pic_noticed_a_change_in_my_face/

I have an issue where no matter what, whenever I look in the mirror with my shirt off - I see the old me. I can't seem to break through the mental barrier. This becomes very discouraging at times

I started working out at the gym in January. Recently, I felt like I had not been making much progress. I had lost about 20 pounds since January, but still, started to lose motivation because I didn't feel as if I saw a significant change for all the effort I was putting in.

I had always put my progress pics next to my starting point, when I was 240 (I am now 170)

I decided to look at my progress from January, when I started weightlifting... I was pretty shocked.

Here is me at my highest weight, 240 pounds (I'm only 5'7)
**NSFW, shirtless - very hairy man.**



Here are my January to April Progress Pictures
**NSFW, shirtless - muchos hairy man.**






I apologize for the stupid smirk :P

I hate cardio. I play hockey a few times a week, and also go on walks/runs with my dog... But other than that, I really can't stand running/cardio.

Weightlifting on the other hand has changed my life. I was never a morning person, and hated the idea of going to the gym to run on an elliptical for 30+ minutes.

Now, I am at the gym at 7am almost every day.. and I LOVE IT.

Weightlifting gives me a new feeling of confidence and self worth I have never had. I constantly see new muscles developing and notice changes in my body.

To anyone, men and women, who do not lift weights.. I sincerely urge you to give it a try. There are so many incredible benefits to it. There are a lot of great programs for beginners. I never lifted weights consistently in the past up until January.. and I can't imagine a scenario where I will stop any time soon. I am addicted.

I did compound muscle movements for 8 weeks (Stronglift 5x5, doing squats, chest press, deadlift, barbell rows and overhead press 3x a week). I started literally with the minimum weights or just the barbell (45 lbs), and progressively added weights (about 5 lbs per workout). Get the app, it's awesome.

Now, as of Monday, I started Kris Gethin's 12 week trainer. I love it already.

I can't wait to see my progression.

I don't want anyone to think my progression came simply from working out.

I eat incredibly clean and healthy, count my calories and weigh all my food. This has been an 8 month battle for me and I am currently winning the battle

This is just a reminder that if you are feeling discouraged, progress pics are a great way to revitalize you and keep yourself going. I hate looking at my old pictures, but at the same time, it motivates me to never get back to how I was.

I know a lot of people here suffer with the issue of not being able to see changes themselves in the mirror, even with major weight loss. I do too. If it wasn't for progress pics, I probably would have fell back into my old ways multiple times by now.

I have ****ed up and had cheat meals, I have faltered, but I always continue with the healthy lifestyle. Remember, this is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix.

I love you all

Daniel

Timshel_

Looking good pardner! That has to feel amazing!

bsutherland3681

Nice job! Looking good!!!

casmithis

Go Leafs Go!!! Oh ya ... and way to go Daniel!!

rlinaresv

Very motivating dude, thanks for sharing
Cheers and Keep up the good work

lug12679

WOW!! that is amazing you look fantastic. Keep up the great work.

lynnelynsey

brilliant.well done

suzmathew

Wow! Well done! That's a great achievement, keep at it

maryannelk

Great job! I especially appreciate the lifestyle advice. It's so important!

Frenchiesfries

good job dude!

moliva4

Awesome job! Go Leafs Go!

kaybristow01

Amazing progress

brillmer

Hard to believe there are any leaf fans showing their face after last night LOL

Thank you for all the kind words everyone, i appreciate it more than words can explain.

You're all sooo kind

Christinamarie77

I think I'm you in girl form ha hah I have the exact same thoughts/issues and give up.

So I banned the scale (I do check it every week or so but it doesn't matter what it says to me anymore) BUT I do measure with a body tape, and that you can ALWAYS see the difference whether you gained or lost. A close friend struggles with an eating disorder and was all sorts of upset she gained 5 lbs sticking to it...well she lost all she could lose and started building muscle, thus gaining weight. I got her to start measuring instead and she is doing wonderful with it.

It's all in the way you "look" at it.

Great transformation!! Good for you!!

brillmer

I am trying to focus more on body composition and less on the number on the scale. Hard though - was literally weighing myself every day.. Sometimes even multiple times a day. Bad obsession is bad.

I definitely need to get into measuring myself though. Sounds like a great idea.

Thanks for your input, and your kind words. Much appreciated.

sleepingtodream

Thank you for the motivation!:) You look great and have made amazing progress. Keep working hard!!

lindaschultz45

You look great! and yes! Lifting weights is great for both men and women. Weights will not bulk women up either. It actually helps you lose weight as lean muscles burn fat all day long. Our work is doing a wellness program but to get the 5 miles in a day, I have to do the cardio to get the steps in to get the points in so will have to go back in the p.m. to get the weight lifting in too. I get up at 3:00 a.m. to get my workouts in.....never thought I would do that in my life but it is addictive!! The best and healthy drug habit you can have. Your body and mind will thank you for it for many years to come. Again, WTG!! Hope to be there in the next year!!

stephenszymanski

Great progress! Really shows the benefits of lifting instead of just doing cardio.

thedestar

You look great! Good for you!

purplecharm

Amazing results. Keep up the good work.

i am so jealous of the fact that men lose weight faster than women.

Cp731

Well Heyyyy Now..
Much progress man.

Have you ever thought of waxing???
It can be painful.
Or how bout a real close shave?
Im being totally serious, not mean..Im just saying..I bet there's a lot of definition underneath all that Hair.

brillmer

Well Heyyyy Now..
Much progress man.

Have you ever thought of waxing???
It can be painful.
Or how bout a real close shave?
Im being totally serious, not mean..Im just saying..I bet there's a lot of definition underneath all that Hair.

Thank youuuuuuuuu

That's definitely something that has crossed my mind about 3000000x times.

I hate my hair. Especially back/arm/shoulder area.

I think eventually I'll do something about it.. But who knows. Waxing - I might die... I have thought about shaving though.

I hear it sucks

cjaynep

You're looking great

brillmer

THANK YOU

meeper123

you look so great keep up the great work

desiv2

Wow that is a huge change in such short time! I'm also starting stronglifts 5x5 (on week 7) and LOVE IT! So much better than cardio! I really hope I get results half as good as yours!

brillmer

Wow that is a huge change in such short time! I'm also starting stronglifts 5x5 (on week 7) and LOVE IT! So much better than cardio! I really hope I get results half as good as yours!

Thank you so much!

I attribute most of the change to healthy eating and counting calories.. But stronglifts definitely didn't hurt.

It's awesome that youre doing it.. Keep it up! You will definitely see results.

Thank you again, for your incredibly kind words. And congratulations on the incredible weight loss you have already accomplished!

luisalg14

Inspirational!
Awesome stuff! Your face looks quite different (in a good way) :laugh:

heathercarver96

You look great! Keep it up!

Bernadette60614

Thanks for the great post.

I think if you can find something you love to do which improves your health, it motivates you to do other things as well.

I love lifting and I also do a competitive stairclimb every year and those have really helped.

Behavior_Modification

Awesome job dude! You look great!