My before and afters, 41lbs in 9 months!

Quick basic story:
Overweight since high school. Lost weight before but always gained back and still was always in the "overweight" BMI category. Decided to change FOR GOOD January 6th. Found MFP in February, started 30DS, took my first before photos. Lost 9 lbs in those 30 days. I ate back most of my exercise calories because when I didn't eat them I couldn't lose anything. I continued 30DS every other day and did Zumba or elliptical the other days, Sundays off always. I finally dropped 30DS in the end of July when my husband and I finally found a great price for a weight bench and started doing Strong Lifts 5x5 together a couple days a week after the kids go to bed. I do Zumba on almost all my cardio days because I love it so much.

This is no starvation or deprivation diet. It's eating healthy most of the time in appropriate portions, but I still eat chocolate EVERY DAY! (In fact, I'm eating some dark chocolate m&m's right now which will be logged when I'm done here.)

I've lost more than 40 lbs now, feel stronger, and finally believe my husband when he tells me I'm beautiful. (That last one was one of my goals and something I never thought I'd be able to say.)


I'm 5'4"
Mother of 3

SW: 177.2, tight in size 14
CW: 135.8, size 8
GW: 135, and size 6

The "after" photos here were taken a month ago, but I haven't changed much since then.





I recently got rid of most of my "fat" clothes, but I had to take a picture in this gray shirt one last time to compare. I couldn't believe how baggy it was on me when in my before photos it barely fit!



The heavy lifting has slowed down my weight loss but my new muscle definition is well worth the trade off! I'm far from having a perfectly shaped body but I'm in no rush. I'll get there when I get there.





A few pics of the overall journey:

December, right before changing, double chin and all


May, halfway to my goal, 20 lbs down and feeling good


September, 41 lbs down at a family funeral
(My husband has lost about 23 lbs as well!)



I share my progress not only because I'm proud of myself but to encourage anyone else who is making excuses of why they can't change. Make up your mind and DO IT!! It's hard, it sucks some days, but it's ABSOLUTELY worth it! The health I've gained, the positive example I'm trying to set for my children, and my new self-esteem are all worth it!

YOU'RE WORTH IT, TOO!!