Here are my latest progress photos since I've finally reached my goal size (8). I've been on MFP since last December 2011 where I started around 196 lbs and a size 14. Through calorie restriction alone (due to exercise restriction from hernia) from Dec - Feb I lost the first 15 lbs. Then I started back to workouts at the end of February after bedrest/recovery from surgery with only a couple of days of light cardio. I started strength training in April using Butt Bible and then loosely have followed NROLFW and NROLFA since May. I lift heavy+HIIT cardio 3 days a week, run 3 miles using the zombies run! app 2 days a week, and play volleyball once a week.

I eat 2500-2800 calories a day, but only track my calories once every couple of weeks as a check in. I still log my exercise. At one point I was doing the same activity level on only 1700 calories a day. Other than that I've never done a VLCD. I target 50-25-25 for my macros because it's more attainable for me.

My NSV: I've gone from a size 14 to a size 8 and a 33% BF to 26%. I also couldn't do any standard push-ups (only 3 on my knees) and now I can do 12 standard. I used to bench press 24 lbs and now I bench 95 lbs. I used to shoulder press 16 lb and now I press 60 lb. I used to barely be able to run 1/2 mile without walking and now I can run 3 miles in about 33 min with no walking. My resting heart rate was about 80 bpm and now it's about 60. The scale has been the worst indicator of my success, honestly.

Note that the July 2008 photos are about 3 months post baby, but that is more or less how my body stayed for a few years. I floated between size 14 and size 12 for most of the last 4 years. There was a time I got down to 183 lb and size 10 by 'eating when I was hungry and stopping when I was satiated' and using the C25K app, but I was still very soft and flabby. Now I can feel all the muscle!






(Note I'll post this in the progress photos section as well.)