101 lbs Down & In Maintenance (w Pics)

jinjin8

I haven't been on here as much as usual since I am now in maintenance but thought I would post my story to date. I know I love reading other's stories and seeing their pics.

Here's a bit about me and my journey....

I'm 5'9 and quite large framed. I started at 277.2 pounds. My original goal was160-165 pounds but that was revised based on how my size/weight/health/fitness has aligned during my weight loss journey (and also on advice from my doctor).

I am 101 pounds down (which took around 16 months) and maintaining my own "happy and healthy" weight of 176 pounds. I am still noticing changes in my body composition but am currently at 27% body fat and measurements of 36, 29.5 and 41.5 (chest/waist/hips). I realise this may still seem "big" to some but it is the right size for me personally and have come to realise that's all that matters (and that I am in perfect health, which I am lucky enough to enjoy).

As I neared the end of my weight loss journey, I started to care less about the scale and more about my body fat and measurements. I do weigh occassionally (once a month) just to make sure I am on track but to be honest, I can feel it within myself and do think I will eventually give up on using the scale and rely solely on measurements. Thankfully, I have found maintenance (surprisingly) easy to date. I think this is because I have focused on real lifestyle changes in relation to my diet and fitness - that I am more than ready and happy to maintain forever.

Diet-wise, I tended to keep my calories on the higher side (averaging 2000 per day) while losing. I also focused (and continue to focus) on whole foods - plenty of fruit, veg, nuts, seeds, meat, dairy - trying to avoid or minimise processed food. I also tried (and continue to try) to truly listen to my body and what it needs to function at its prime - this definitely includes at least one meal out per week and a treat or two - it tends to fall into an 80/20 approach. I now generally maintain a calorie level of approximately 2300-2400 but don't count calories on a day to day basis - I instead check in every now and then just to confirm guestimations and listening to my body is keeping me on track).

Fitness-wise, while actively losing I worked out 4 to 6 times per week (generally 5) at the gym - performing a mix of HIIT/heavy weights with my personal trainer, spin classes, jogging, cross trainer and circuit training. As I have come to be more motivated by the mental and physical enjoyment I get from exercise (rather than weight loss) I now focus more so on outdoor running, bikram yoga (LOVE LOVE LOVE both of these) and just visit the gym once a week at most.

Anyway, sorry for the blather....on to the pics....

Starting out...





Now...





Sorry for the midrift pics, I was so excited to spy my abs starting to come through after a yoga class :P

drop_it_like_a_squat

Wow you look AMAZING!!!!

SweetTea111104

Wow! You look AMAZING! If anybody ever tries to tell you that you are big. I give you permission to slap them! Stunning darling! Way to go!!

ejdp254

You look just perfect x well done

SenseiCole

amazing

we done girl, outstanding

Appleina316

WOWEE and Congratulations. Truely inspiring and motivational story. Thank you for sharing :flowerforyou:

HoosierBecky

You look absolutely awesome!

MummyMikaela

Amazing.....Thanks for posting!

Your an inspiration!

greeshu_89

You are such an inspiration ! you look great

CharMaroc

Thanks for sharing. So inspiring . You look amazing!

michelleesther

Wow! What an inspiration you are! I am also around your height and large framed so this gives me a lot of motivation!

kkshipley

You look awesome. You are a great motivation and inspiration for me.

rosiereally2

Amazing progress and very inspirational!

sozisraw

Wow incredible job! You look amazing :flowerforyou:

jinjin8

Thanks for the kind words all

jenniferwren

utterly awesome, thank you for sharing

wffolkes

Can't wait to reach maintenance, well done with your journey you look great and have really made a huge transition.

mattschwartz01

You do look amazing!! And you look like you're in a very good place - keep it up and thanks for inspiring us all.

Noni2863

Look at you!
You are seriously gorgeous and an inspiration.
Well done J.
:flowerforyou:

rubyjuly21

Outstanding! You are a true inspiration. :flowerforyou:

royallv

Fabulous! Such an inspiration!

Lind5ay90

You look absolutely amazing! Incredible story. This is so motivational Thanks for sharing!!

craigmandu

Awesome job! You look fantastic!

semarsh12

You look FABulous! Thanks for sharing your story. I have about 100 to lose (well, less now!) so I love to hear stories such as your because it reminds me that it's not impossible! Thanks!!

m2921

Wow! you look absolutely stunning. Amazing job, and very inspirational.

marsviolet

WOW, you look SO amazing!!!!! Such an inspiration! x

casi_ann

Thanks so much for showing the pictures. This is how i'm able to keep plugging away with this. By the way, you look marvelous.

KAR1959

OMG...you look amazing...love your story. I am so inspired...you proof it can be done the healthy way. Thank you for sharing, congrats:flowerforyou:

CassandraChloeJ

You look awesome! This gives me hope. I am roughly the same height and build as you. I started out about 30 lbs heavier but have lost 107 lbs so far. I have only recently started to work out as I have hit a plateau and just want to be generally healthy and fit anyways. I love it and am hoping to increase all activities! I see a real change in my thoughts (from diet to health consciousness). I only hope I can make it the rest of the way into maintenance like you!! Again, you look awesome! Great job and keep it up! Thank you for sharing.

BhanGoes

Amazing!

sanwood226

Heffa. I mean that in the most jealous and awestruck way. Real Good work!