Never too old! Nine months of hard work w/pics

Thank you all so very much for your responses. I'm stunned! I never expected to have so many of you make comments. I am very proud of my progress and I appreciate the acknowledgement. To fill in some of the blanks ...

I began on my own and then found MFP ... followed their calorie suggestions and started logging. I worked with a friend who is a trainer for few months. Unfortunately, I didn't feel that I was getting the most out of those sessions ... so I changed to a young 25 year old male. He pushed me a lot further and harder ... but again there were my expectations to deal with. I had become interested in lifting heavy but could only use the gym when I had a session with him. I felt like that was holding me back. After checking out several gyms in the area, I joined Lifetime Fitness. I put my lifting program together by myself ... began eating TDEE-20% ... began taking a couple of supplements along with a multivitamin and a protein complex. I'm usually in the gym doing my lifting five days a week. I have a list of lifts that I follow with each visit ... alternating between upper body, lower body, and once a week total body. There are plenty of examples on youtube as to how each lift is done properly. There is no reason to walk into the gym and not know how to use the equipment to your advantage. Since I work full time, my work outs are generally in the evenings ... after 8pm when it is less crowded. For my cardio, I run sprints on the upper garage level of the complex where I live. It is about a 10-12 degree incline and about 35-40 yards long. I do this for about a half hour two or three times a week. I began all of this with kettlebells, which unfortunately has taken a back seat to everything else. Kettlebell exercising is a terrific way to get started and a great total body, including cardio, workout. Once you realize that you can do it, there is no end to what you can accomplish. I've been thinking about entering the powerlifting competition next year. I'm pretty sure that I can make the squat and deadlift weights without a problem because my legs are so strong. But I must give more attention to the bench press to build on that strength. Anyway, that is one of the goals that I am looking at for year 68. It is great to be alive!

Currently I'm training a 74 year old female with a bad knee and shoulder. In only a week, she already has increased poundage on a couple of exercises.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

That is really terrific. I admire anyone who doesn't let excuses hold them back, whether it be age or the ravages of age. Please tell her I send my best to her.

The first photo is your "heavy" one? I think you look great, and the dress is beautiful.

Thank you ... I made the dress for a Roaring 20's party because I couldn't find anything that fit! I don't recall ever seeing photos of fat flappers until I saw that one! Very motivating! No this picture is not my heaviest one. That was back in 2008 when I was in the 225lb range and had really no motivation to do anything about it. We all have the capability to do a "number" on ourselves with our negative thinking. I had to relearn that I am the only one who can make the changes that I wanted. No one forces food in my mouth but me. No one forces me to sit in front of the TV but me. No one forces me to eat healthy but me. No one forces me to exercise but me. No one can reach my goals but me. There is no easy way to do it. It takes hard work ... a lot of effort ... and great determination. Each time some reason tries to creep into my mind that sounds like a good reason to avoid working out or eating right, I remind myself what my goals are and what I have to do to reach them. We can all be our own worst enemies!