Here it is, 1 year on MFP

candacemckenna

thats FANTASTIC!!!...keep up the good work:happy:

Deipneus

I love the weightlifting picture but I think my favorite part is that you are advocating pacing and maintenance breaks. Fantastic!

Yanicka1

I think you are awesome !!!!!!

lunglady

Badass! :flowerforyou:

LorinaLynn

Woohoo! Happy New Year! :drinker:

Congrats on your amazing progress. :flowerforyou:

beekuzz

Most awesome transformations in all areas of physical and mental. Congratulations on your success. Keep up the good work.

Snatched614

Inspired... I start my beginners weight class tomorrow and am so excited. Looking forward to pushing my body to its limits!!!!! This for the post.

I started out on MFP a year ago, with a significant amount of weight to lose. 15 years of crappy eating, a sedentary lifestyle, and an undiagnosed thyroid disorder had left me at 298 lbs (I’m 5’3” tall). Though I wasn’t unhappy in my life, I knew that I was missing out, and my weight bothered me both physically and emotionally. Once my thyroid was managed, it gave me the push and the energy level to try, yet again, to get myself under control. Though I was fortunate and hadn’t had any major health issues crop up, I knew that at 39 years old, it was only a matter of time. I did not want to leave my husband a widower, or be in the position of him having to care for me, which would be difficult for him to manage if I weighed any where near the 300 lbs that I did at that point.

It shocked me when the weight began to come off once I started tracking my food intake. A couple of weeks in, I started to add in exercise. My fitness level was pathetic, I could maybe walk a couple of blocks (agonizingly slowly) before getting winded. We bought me a recumbent stationary bike. With the resistance set at its lowest setting, I could go for about 5 minutes before I had to take a rest. Gradually, the time in between rests got shorter and my total time increased. Within a couple of months I added in the elliptical, and felt like I was going to keel over after a few minutes. But, I kept pushing. Throughout the summer I went on ever longer hikes, choosing ones with hills to climb. On a lark, I added in running and lifting. I’m not going to lie, running was tough. I did C25K, and wore my HRM just to assure myself that I was not, in fact, on the verge of death after 30 seconds of running.

In the past year, here is what I’ve accomplished: I have lost almost 70 lbs., I went from barely able to walk for more than 3 blocks to trail running for over an hour, I started out in October squatting my bodyweight to squatting 170 lbs and deadlifting 185 lbs. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.

To those starting out, my advice to you is to take your time. Don't starve yourself, take a maintenance break now and then (I'm on one right now). Give yourself many areas in which to see success, strength train early. I can tell that when I get down to where I want to be (size wise), I am going to be thrilled with my body and with what it can do. I’ll be able to climb ropes, scale mountains, and run for miles. The adventures that I’m going to be able to go on will be amazing. Just watch me do it.

October 2011, close to 300lbs. Size 28-30





Today, May 11, 2013. Size 18




And dead lifting, just to brag about the big plates being on that bar.


Thank you to all of the badasses on my FL, you keep me coming back and show me what is possible with time and a whole lot of hard work.

sarahlm20

Inspirational! I would love to lift weights but don't know where to begin. Pretty amazing story and good luck with the future, your bloomin' awesome!

almc170

Wow, incredible progress! Congrats and happy anniversary!

ganyika

You're the poster child for how to lose weight and get in shape! Fabulous job! May all your days be joyful and happy!

FattieBabs

Really brilliant and please keep posting the pictures as you go. You are a brilliant inspiration to all of us... One question, did you follow the MFP guidelines on cals or work out what was best for you? Just curious as I would find 1200 very difficult to stick to but 1600 more manageable. Thanks!

Rosplosion

I love your progress! The lifting photo is my favorite of course. So much love!

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

You are awesome. I admire you so much and I'm very happy to be on your friend list. :flowerforyou:

larryc0923

Awe some and way to take the steady enduring method to losing weight. Congrats!!

Darmanin

Love the pic with the 'big plates' :-) Great job on the weight loss you have done a fantastically well. Keep it up.

_chiaroscuro

Smaaaaaaash!
You are an amazing woman in so many ways, and knowing more of your story (so far) only adds to my admiration. I'm honored to have you as a friend, and can't wait to watch all the adventures to come!

Sarauk2sf

Badassery!

:flowerforyou:

red8424

Fantastic! Imagine where you'll be next year! Keep up the awesome work!:drinker:

nz_deevaa

Have I told you how much I enjoy being your friend?

You are an inspiration. You are funny. And cute. And creative. And a superhero. And ... all the stuff.

Otterluv

Inspirational! I would love to lift weights but don't know where to begin. Pretty amazing story and good luck with the future, your bloomin' awesome!

I'm currently doing Strong Lifts, but I've also done the New Rules of Lifting for Women (which is a great book and program). I've also heard wonderful things about Starting Strength.

Really brilliant and please keep posting the pictures as you go. You are a brilliant inspiration to all of us... One question, did you follow the MFP guidelines on cals or work out what was best for you? Just curious as I would find 1200 very difficult to stick to but 1600 more manageable. Thanks!

For a good chunk of the time (when I started) I followed the MFP guidelines, which means that I ate my exercise calories back. About midway through the year I switched to the TDEE - 25% method, as I lose more weight I'll decrease my deficit. My goals are fitness as well as weight loss, so I'm trying to do right by my body; which means feeding it adequately for my activity level so that it will continue to work for me.

DontStopB_Leakin

Oh my holy lord, woman. You're utterly amazing. I knew you had come far, but it's one thing to see the ticker, or even see the pictures, but it's a whole 'nother deal to finally hear the story behind the loss.

I'm incredibly proud of you, but even moreso, I'm inspired by you and in complete awe of your drive and unwillingness to fail. I can't wait to see what you'll achieve in the coming months and years. I have a feeling it's going to be pretty damn incredible.

I'm honored to have you as a friend, my dear. Again, amazing job. I bow to you.

juliezum

You are such a wonderful inspiration!!! Very happy for you and what a great gift on Mother's Day!!

3dogsrunning

Love it all, especially this part!

And dead lifting, just to brag about the big plates being on that bar.

.

Great work, keep it up!

Uh, Dav, she's supposed to put it down, that's kinda how they work.




Seriously though, I saw some preview pics, and knew you had been successful, but didn't know the whole story. It is beyond awesome, so inspirational. Congrats!!

FootsoreRambler

Wow. Your progress is just fantastic, and add me to the list of those who are happy to see you promoting the art of pacing oneself. I wish you plenty of great adventures!

ZoeLifts

You are freaking awesome!!!!:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

maryyerkes

Very inspiring! You said a lot of things I needed to hear as I'm just starting on this MFP journey, - thank you for the great advice!

BurtHuttz

You are a superhero.

Cp731

Whoa!!! Congrats.
:noway: :noway: :noway:

How much are you lifting there?

MyChocolateDiet

70 lbs in a year is awesome. That's so close to my intended loss that I actually chose based on a weight loss calculator, so I think that generally seems like a perfect amount for a year. Also considering you decided to lift, that's amazing amount of lbs gone. Poof. Vanished. Congratulations!

michellechawner

You look SO MUCH HAPPIER! In the newer photos you just have a glow about you!

PROUD OF YOU! Keep up all the good work!