1800+ cal diet with HIIT training.. 33 lbs GONE since Feb/13

I just wanted to share this progress picture of myself, I started this journey at 286 lbs. I have dropped 15-20 lbs here and there but always jumped back up to the 283-289 lbs mark. Well I had no more excuses this winter, even after the previous year of dropping some weight and doing some 5 km runs. I hit 286 lbs after a vacation with some friends and my DH this February. I started back on my nutrition plan, and kept working out 3-4 times a week, I found by May I was starting to plateau after a 18 lbs weight loss.. I just couldn't figure out what to change.

Thankfully, I met a wonderful friend here on MFP, he has lost over 81 lbs with the amazing support of his wife and has now started a fitness training business after becoming a Certified Trainer. A friend of mine and I started a 12 week challenge with him as of July 11th, however since getting my start with him in June I am down another 15 lbs. I work out 4-6 days a week IN gym with weights and HIIT cardio, and try get in extra cardio walking or biking in the evenings. I also eat around 1800-2000 calories a day.. no starving myself here! Here is my progress photos!


The one on the left, is from January 2011, the last time I took a full body picture of myself. The right is from today! I'm pretty proud of myself, for the first time in my adult life I am able to shop at any given store in a mall.. In fact in my picture I'm sporting GAP and American Eagle workout gear! Such a thrill!