12mos, 46 Pounds Lost, Heavy Lifting Mom (5'8")

So, today is my one year anniversary for logging in to MFP. Big deal, right? Not really. I joined back in January 2012 but didn't really get serious until this time last year. The logging streak is nothing more than taking the few seconds to click on MFP to get credit for the day, not an indicator of awesomeness, commitment or lifestyle change. However, it's a milestone so here ya go!!



Did I track food for all 365 days? No. Did I stay within my calories goals for all 365 days? No. In fact, I had two separate month-long hiatuses. Did I stick to my workout plan for all 365 days? No. Did I give up my large weekly pizza? No. Stop enjoying wine on the weekends? No.

Okay, so what did I do?

I got educated! Educated on BMR, TDEE, body fat vs BMI, my own body. Read this: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet . The Roadmap (IPOARM) started it all for me.

I found an awesome group of like-minded and goal oriented individuals on MFP. I feel accountability to these folks on both my workouts and health lifestyle choices.

I started lifting heavy weight and eating 2,000 a day is my sweet spot for fat loss. Yes, I eat a minumum of 2,000 calories a day, usually 2,200.

I cut back on cardio.....drastically. I went from one hour of cardio 6x per week to lifting weights 3x per week and following that with a brief HIIT session. It used to be about 10 minutes, and now I'm only doing 4 minutes of Tabata after lifting. So, I do 12 minutes of intentional cardio per week. And I enjoy all of my free time!!

ETA: I'm doing Nia Shanks' Beautiful Badass lifting program, Double Progression. Anything by Nia ROCKS!!! I prefer her programs over any others out there, but it is personal preference. http://www.niashanks.com/shop/category/complete-guides-manuals/

I am active with two small kids. I walk at least 10k steps per day which brings my TDEE to around 2,500 according to my FitBit Flex.

I no longer keep a food diary, but I do loosely track my calories. I use the quick add feature to put my meals. I found that I still need some accountability, and this seems to be working well.

Here's what you came here for....even more pictures!



June 2012 was my first ever stomach/midsection shot. I was mortified, but motivated more than ever.




And just for fun......



This is me celebrating my 34th birthday after an awesome workout.



I was about 240 pre-MFP, weighed 233 on the day I joined and about 210 in May 2012. For reference, I'm 5'8 and weighed in at 163.5 this morning. I'm around 24% body fat according to online measuring calculators and the handheld thingy. Calipers consistently measure a few % less, but that's just details. I was obese most of my life and abused my body with food and alcohol. I now have stretch marks and loose stretched skin. I'm hoping that it will get better with more time, more lifting and possibly more fat loss. Current stats are for reps....Bench Press 100#, Squat 120#, DL 180#. So yes, I lift "heavy", for me anyway.

I'm certainly grateful for the strong, healthy body I have now!!