What the heck? I <3 weight training (progress pics)

CeleryStalker
CeleryStalker Posts: 665 Member
in Success Stories
I've been up and down the scale for so long it hurts to even recap the repeated failed attempts. In a nutshell, I've spent the last several years damaging myself with whatever methods I could find to lose weight quickly. My 'fail safe' was always Medifast, which for those who don't know, is a meal replacement program that gives you 800-1000 calories a day, and restricts your workout routine to a max of 45 minutes/day and no eating back workout calories.

Imagine my surprise when I geared up to do yet another round of this protocol, complete with 'before pics' and measurements, only to see that after the initial loss the first week, nothing else happened. The weight loss didn't continue, the inches didn't budge. I had fallen victim to my own attempts at quick weight loss....living by what the scale had to say to me on a daily basis. After Medifasting for 2 months, I finally said to heck with this. I ramped up my calories gradually over time and by the time I was at about 1500 calories a day, I hired a trainer and nutritionist who further guided me. That was about 3 weeks ago.

I'm now eating around 1800 calories a day and lifting 4x/week. I believe after week 4 my calories and exercise are going to be adjusted upwards further. I no longer weigh in every single day to get my daily dose of happy (or kick in the face, depending on what the scale said). Instead, I've been relying on my clothes to tell me what's going on with my body. Jeans I couldn't zip 3 weeks ago now fit perfectly.

Take a look at what 3 weeks of lifting and not starving myself have done to my shape. Yes, it's only 5# down, but I'm just floored at the difference. Yes, I have a loooong way to go, but I'm not sprinting this time, and I look forward to what the next couple of years have in store for me, especially if this is what just 3 weeks gives me. (Note: The 'before' pics and measurements were done July 30, the new pics/measurements yesterday. My measurements were the same 3 weeks ago as they were in my July pics, which is why I didn't take new 'befores' :) )

EatMoreLookWeighLess-3weeksin-frontcomparisonweb_zpscd1d6784.jpg

EatMoreLookWeighLess-3weeksin-sidecomparisonweb_zps62f7d1d7.jpg

Replies

  • Serah87
    Serah87 Posts: 5,481 Member
    AWESOME!!! Keep up the great work. :flowerforyou:
  • feltlikesound
    feltlikesound Posts: 326 Member
    Amazing progress. I was previously deep into weight training, took WAY TOO LONG off, tried to get back on the wagon with low-cal and cardio, and am just FINALLY getting back into lifting.

    Obviously you are improving so quickly, and it's evident in your stomach -- but I have to say my favourite part is the muscle defitnition I can see on your leg in the side "after" photo.
  • CeleryStalker
    CeleryStalker Posts: 665 Member
    :) Thank you! And thanks for the leg comment. I noticed it too and was like hey wow! But didn't think anyone else would notice that, LOL Yay!

    edit to add: finally got the pics resized. if only resizing our bodies only took 5 minutes, LOL
  • 4ever420
    4ever420 Posts: 4,088 Member
    Holy freakin cow!! What a difference three weeks and 5#s can make. That's just crazy, well done! :noway:
  • mazari
    mazari Posts: 18 Member
    Brilliant you look great after 3 weeks!! Amazing I have just started this week can I ask what weight you started with
    & what weight you are on now??

    Fab job well done
  • Phoenix_Warrior
    Phoenix_Warrior Posts: 1,633 Member
    Incredible progress! Keep up the great work. This is why I love lifting heavy things!!
  • CeleryStalker
    CeleryStalker Posts: 665 Member
    Thanks guys :)

    Mazari- I started at 216 and I'm currently at 211. I'm 5'11" and started in a *tight* size 14. Rockin' size 12 now, comfortably. Which is nuts. Previous weight loss plans had me losing a size every 10 pounds, not every 5 :D Yay for muscle!
  • FitNurseLex
    FitNurseLex Posts: 66 Member
    Great progress!!!
  • Kadoober
    Kadoober Posts: 289 Member
    Great googly moogly, that is unreal, congratulations!

    *note to self: start picking up heavy stuff*
  • Coyla
    Coyla Posts: 444 Member
    Great job! Looking awesome!
  • xmccalla
    xmccalla Posts: 6 Member
    That is amazing!! You look great!
  • ChristinaOrtiz23
    ChristinaOrtiz23 Posts: 1,546 Member
    oh wow!!!! you just made me see the great side of weight training!!! you look amazing!!
  • mazmataz
    mazmataz Posts: 331 Member
    Amazing results!!

    I started lifting about 2.5 weeks ago too, although only 3x per week...and I've already lost and inch from my hips and an inch from my waist! It's like finding this 'cheat' that you're sure that someone is going to call you out on soon...
  • mazari
    mazari Posts: 18 Member
    Can I ask girls when you first started what weight were your dumbbells?? Also did you up your weight weekly or each time at first
  • jamiesillimandunn
    jamiesillimandunn Posts: 270 Member
    AMAZING!!! I have to remind myself of the scale ...I'm doing p90x and while the scale slows down from time to time I have to say they inches are falling !!! I'm loving the strength training ;) congrats on your results ..I'm baffled !
  • Marsidote
    Marsidote Posts: 100 Member
    I'm going to lift... right now! lol Awesome results! I can't wait to start a weight program!
  • CeleryStalker
    CeleryStalker Posts: 665 Member
    Thanks so much guys :) I'm still floored. My trainer told me 'stay off the scale', so I have. He also told me to take pics maybe once a month to get progress so I figured what the hey.... Best part about this is, I get to eat from all the food groups so I never feel deprived, and once a week, I can have a 'fun meal', which means I don't have to worry about hitting my macros but I don't gorge til I puke, nor do I even have the desire to do so. It's more like, hey, I miss Chipotle, or pizza, or whatever.

    As far as weights and stuff..... I honestly don't know the specifics. What I know is that I'm getting better and don't have to have the workouts modified for me anymore. I do weight lifting circuit classes in a small group. Three weeks ago, I was having to use those color coded body toning bars, for instance, but now I can use actual barbells with weights. Another example is that I used to not be able to do box jumps. That was embarrassing three weeks ago. Everyone else in class was doing box jump squats, and all he had me doing was stepping up onto the box and back down. Last night I did 30 box jumps, and the last 10 had squats on the dismount, so...WOW!

    So to answer the question about upping weight weekly or each time, for me and my situation, I've been upping the weights each time, because every time I step foot in the gym, I'm stronger than I was the last time. THAT'S freakin MOTIVATION for going as much as I can. And to think, a few weeks ago I was posting that I was so intimidated and dreading going, and now, even tho I'm still the chubby girl in class, I'm strong and working it just like everyone else! :)
  • wendyg311
    wendyg311 Posts: 239 Member
    WOW!! 3 weeks? My husband wants to join a gym. I keep poo pooing the idea because the winter is coming and I hate going out at night.......HOWEVER........I can't wait till he gets home tonight to discuss this with him.

    Great job!!!!
  • Care76
    Care76 Posts: 556 Member
    What amazing results in such a short time! Way to go!
  • CeleryStalker
    CeleryStalker Posts: 665 Member
    I showed my trainer these pics tonight and he was blown away. He's used to training REALLY fit people. Figure competition people, stuff like that. It was super intimidating to take my first step into a group class at his gym a few weeks ago, but I'm so glad I did. He's so astounded, he asked if he could share my pics on his facebook page. While I know I'm far from done, it feels good to look at where I was and where I am already. Daydreaming of the coming months. So super excited to finally be back on the horse. :)

    For anyone looking at this thread and doubting yourself, stop with the negative banter and get out there and do it!
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    :drinker:
  • Lorelai23
    Lorelai23 Posts: 31 Member
    This is amazing! Thanks for posting.
  • vtrujilloia
    vtrujilloia Posts: 1 Member
    Thanks for sharing - very inspirational! Keep going!
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    I've been up and down the scale for so long it hurts to even recap the repeated failed attempts. In a nutshell, I've spent the last several years damaging myself with whatever methods I could find to lose weight quickly. My 'fail safe' was always Medifast, which for those who don't know, is a meal replacement program that gives you 800-1000 calories a day, and restricts your workout routine to a max of 45 minutes/day and no eating back workout calories.

    Imagine my surprise when I geared up to do yet another round of this protocol, complete with 'before pics' and measurements, only to see that after the initial loss the first week, nothing else happened. The weight loss didn't continue, the inches didn't budge. I had fallen victim to my own attempts at quick weight loss....living by what the scale had to say to me on a daily basis. After Medifasting for 2 months, I finally said to heck with this. I ramped up my calories gradually over time and by the time I was at about 1500 calories a day, I hired a trainer and nutritionist who further guided me. That was about 3 weeks ago.

    I'm now eating around 1800 calories a day and lifting 4x/week. I believe after week 4 my calories and exercise are going to be adjusted upwards further. I no longer weigh in every single day to get my daily dose of happy (or kick in the face, depending on what the scale said). Instead, I've been relying on my clothes to tell me what's going on with my body. Jeans I couldn't zip 3 weeks ago now fit perfectly.

    Take a look at what 3 weeks of lifting and not starving myself have done to my shape. Yes, it's only 5# down, but I'm just floored at the difference. Yes, I have a loooong way to go, but I'm not sprinting this time, and I look forward to what the next couple of years have in store for me, especially if this is what just 3 weeks gives me. (Note: The 'before' pics and measurements were done July 30, the new pics/measurements yesterday. My measurements were the same 3 weeks ago as they were in my July pics, which is why I didn't take new 'befores' :) )

    EatMoreLookWeighLess-3weeksin-frontcomparisonweb_zpscd1d6784.jpg

    EatMoreLookWeighLess-3weeksin-sidecomparisonweb_zps62f7d1d7.jpg
    Your progress is amazing! I lift heavy too, but my results haven't come THAT quickly.

    here is MY before and then the same outfit just a few months ago
    10067067346_a131833b47.jpg
    Untitled by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

    here are my best progress pictures so far, I just took them Thursday.
    10857455026_4d003227d4.jpg
    #fitspo #hardworkwins #nevergiveup #notacardiobunny by crochetmom2010, on Flickr
    10861448183_785538b1a7.jpg
    #yesisquat # musclemama by crochetmom2010, on Flickr
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    That is so wonderful for you. Keep up the good work.
  • mi18agnes
    mi18agnes Posts: 66
    Great job keep up with the good work :flowerforyou:
  • NRSPAM
    NRSPAM Posts: 961 Member
    Awesome results in such a short time!!! Wish more women would learn how awesome lifting can be for us!! I mean, the fact that we can eat that much, and lose fat is the best!!! :))) Keep it up!!! :D
  • CeleryStalker
    CeleryStalker Posts: 665 Member
    Nice job, Sarah! :)

    Thanks everyone for the kind words. My trainer just increased my intake and exercise as I enter week 5 under his guidance with nutrition and lifting. I sit here planning my 2000 calorie days and reflect on the sad period that was just a short time ago when I was eating a mere 800 calories a day and wondering why the weight wasn't coming off.

    Food is awesome, almost as awesome as lifting! And I'm not doing anything crazy here. I do circuit training with him 3 days a week in a small group environment, and cardio twice a week for half an hour. Well, that was the first 4 weeks anyways. I've just been bumped up to weights 4-5 days a week, 2 days a week of cardio, one of which can be longer in duration. Now that daylight savings is done and over with, my option to go on long bike rides after work have gone away. I've got a treadmill and eliptical, but bah, I look at those two machines and just think 'phooey'. I'd much rather ride for hours than do 45 minutes on either of them. LOL

    Looking forward to the next 4 weeks. I'll post new pics then so we can compare. This is by far the most exciting 'reclaim my body' adventure I've ever been on. Let's hear it for FOOD! :D
  • Rays_Wife
    Rays_Wife Posts: 1,173 Member
    How in the world did I miss your story 2 weeks ago?? This is amazing!! Fantastic!! I'm so glad things are working for you now. Eat all the foodz, lift all the weights!! :drinker:

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