My success story pic heavy (shorty 5'2")

I am a 34 year old mom that has struggled with my weight since right after I had my son who is now 12 years old. I was 125lbs all through High school and once I had my son in 2000 I shot up to my heaviest at 198lbs I went up and down for several years never eating right and trying every diet pill on the market including the xenadrine with ephedrine and lost alot of weight but it was the unhealthy way, I then gained it all back due to poor diet and lack of exercise. I got really serious in dec of 2011 when I seen a picture of myself and was like omg I am fat and was just so depressed that I finally took control of my life for good. I entered a weightloss challenge at my gym in jan of 2012 to lose the fat and gain muscle when starting I was 177lbs with 120lbs of muscle from my previous training with my husband in the gym. I ended up winning third place at 162lbs and still had kept my 120lbs of lean muscle. I didn't stop there I kept going and had days where I felt like throwing in the towel cause I wasn't seeing the weight loss come off like I thought it should be but I reminded myself how I got here and how much hard work it took to get here and didn't wanna start over so I kept going. I have since adjusted my calories many times to continue seeing progress. I workout 6 days a week train hard in the weight room 4 days a week and cardio almost everyday. I eat healthy lots of fruits and veggies, lean proteins and am trying to maintain my muscle and continue to burn fat and get the ripped body I want. I have a way to go with toning but as I realize this is a lifestyle not a diet and there will always be ups and downs but I am learning everyday that I must do what is needed to get where I want. I am currently bench pressing 100lbs and before I could't even bench a 45 lbs bar. I used to be afraid of weights cause like most we are afraid to get bulky and look like a man but I have to tell you lifting weights has made a big difference in my life. I am in the best shape I have ever been. I am smaller then the day I met my husband 13 years ago. without my husband I would't have been able to lift what I do today cause he has been there to push me and of course spot me with the heavy weights and push me. and the help of this site and many good friends I have on here to keep me going! without this site I don't think I would have come this far on my own.

so this is my story in a nutshell now for a ton of pic which I have always been ashamed to share but I have come to a place in my life that I am not scared anymore to share them and hope they can inspire others to do what I have done and that is to change your life.

sorry if these didn't resize I am not very good at resizing




in this pic I am with my sister who was pregnant and no I was not but looked like I was, I am the one on the left









pics below are from the start to finish of my gym challenge in 2012 177-162 lbs



this pic below is my swim suit for this summer of 2013


old me new me side by side comparison





I hated wearing dresses now I love to wear them (in this pic I was a little bit heavier then I am today)


the current profile pic and current me