731 days

2 years of logging. Every single day, I've been here. 6 years ago I hit my highest weight, 245 pounds. I didn't see myself as being that big, until I got my wedding pictures back. I broke down and cried over how big I was. Feeling tired and run down all the time, I was determined to make a change.

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Just by cutting down on portions a bit, and choosing to be a bit more active (doing some exercise videos at home), by July of 2009, I had dropped 52 pounds, down to 193. I became pregnant with my eldest daughter, and kept weight gain well within recommended limits, up until PIH had me piling on the water weight in the last few weeks. After delivering, I very quickly dropped down to 211-214, but I was stuck there.

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In January of 2011, I conceived my youngest daughter. I stayed as active as I could, and kept weight gain down to 16 pounds. Within 6 weeks of delivery, I was down to that same range, 211-214. At my 6 week follow up appointment, I got clearance to workout, and that very day joined the gym. I decided to work with a trainer, not because I needed the help, but I needed the accountability.

Despite working out, 5 days a week, keeping my calories between 1700-1800 (wasn't tracking here but on paper), I stayed in that same range until my friend Mara (:heart: you lady!) told me about this website. I decided to give it a go, and when I saw how many calories I was being told to eat everyday to account for nursing, never mind exercise, I didn't believe this would actually work.

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I decided to have faith and trust it for a few weeks. After all, doing things my way hadn't been working very well, had it? Within the first week, I lost weight, and it kept just dropping off, on average a pound every 4 days while I was actively trying to lose weight. By October of 2012, I had reached a healthy weight, having achieved a healthy body fat percentage a while before that.

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By July, I hit my low weight, 150 pounds. I was very happy with the way my body looked, but I knew it could be even better.

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I started bulking, and after a while of finding out exactly how many calories I needed to eat in order to put on mass, had a very successful bulk. A shoulder injury in December put my cut on hold - I wasn't willing to risk losing the lean mass I had just worked so very hard to build by cutting while being unable to work out!

My cut is back on track, and looking forward to a new year full of more hard work, more fun with barbells, and lots more yummy food!

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TL/DR - Lift the weights, eat the food, look hot!

Edit - forgot the pic that says it all -
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Replies

  • wolfsbayne
    wolfsbayne Posts: 3,116 Member
    You look FANTASTIC! way to go!:drinker:
  • qhiggins86
    qhiggins86 Posts: 113 Member
    Love your journey so far! I'm currently pregnant with my first child, and it's weird trying to maintain or gain when all I've ever done my whole life was one failed diet after the next. Your story gives me hope that I can lose the baby weight. I'm a fan of lifting weights myself!!! Congrats on how far you've made it :flowerforyou:
  • Great results!
  • vanryswicksl
    vanryswicksl Posts: 16 Member
    You look great! Thanks for the reminder that getting down to where we want to be will take time and not to expect miracles overnight.:smile:
  • liftingcoach
    liftingcoach Posts: 65 Member
    What a great story! Your dedication and success is nothing short of awesome. You are truly a wonderful person, and a great inspiration to a lot of us. You are on my FL, so I see your work ethic daily, but this is a true indicator to those other people of what will power, and energy you have put into your transformation. I am truly proud to be your MFP buddy, and thank you for the inspiration you provide! Congratulations, You deserve every accolade for your success!
  • What a great story! Your dedication and success is nothing short of awesome. You are truly a wonderful person, and a great inspiration to a lot of us. You are on my FL, so I see your work ethic daily, but this is a true indicator to those other people of what will power, and energy you have put into your transformation. I am truly proud to be your MFP buddy, and thank you for the inspiration you provide! Congratulations, You deserve every accolade for your success!

    Everything he said is true! You are an inspiration!! :) Keep up the great work. Glad to have you on my FL as well.
  • cortezpj
    cortezpj Posts: 129 Member
    Amazing! Great story...thanks for sharing.
  • laurelthistle
    laurelthistle Posts: 145 Member
    Wow! You look awesome! Great job!
  • You should renew your vows and get that dress taken in. You deserve to have the pics you want. :) Congrats!
  • verptwerp
    verptwerp Posts: 3,659 Member
    Outstanding accomplishment !
  • JoelleAnn78
    JoelleAnn78 Posts: 1,492 Member
    You should renew your vows and get that dress taken in. You deserve to have the pics you want. :) Congrats!

    ^^ This! And, you look amazing. I love the TL;DR cliff notes, BTW.
  • Byemyfatself
    Byemyfatself Posts: 92 Member
    You look great!!! Job well done!! :flowerforyou:
  • Momto4minions
    Momto4minions Posts: 173 Member
    You look healthy and happy! Good work! May definitely be time for a vow renewal and new pictures!
    Very proud of your dedication.
  • natesangel
    natesangel Posts: 210 Member
    LOVE IT! love you too hun! so proud of how far you've come physically and mentally, it's not an easy journey and it's been a pleasure riding it out with you so far! cheers to many more successes, NSV's and great pics!! thanks for keeping me motivated too!
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    Aww, thanks guys! There will be no vow renewal, as I'm separated from my husband with ZERO chance for reconciliation.
  • iPlatano
    iPlatano Posts: 487 Member
    Im proud of you my love! Keep pushing your getting where you want to be! Sorry for you and your ex husband but life is good no matter what! Stay positive and stay sexy! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
  • jos05
    jos05 Posts: 263 Member
    AWESOME!!!! Way to keep with it!!

    I think a lot more people need to have this kind of dedication!! Congrats!!! :flowerforyou:
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Absolutely amazing transformation!! Much love and hugs!
  • LishLash79
    LishLash79 Posts: 562 Member
    you are awesome

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE you girl.. inspirational ;)
  • SmexAppeal
    SmexAppeal Posts: 858 Member
    A-MA-ZING!!!! Way to go girl!!!!!! You give hope and inspiration to others. Congrats on your success. ANd omg... that baby!!!!
  • b3st
    b3st Posts: 1,350 Member
    Success is when talent meets hard work... :heart: you girl.
  • crazie4lulu
    crazie4lulu Posts: 762 Member
    you seriously rock!!!! that is all!
  • UnitedBoy83
    UnitedBoy83 Posts: 888 Member
    You are just f'kin awesome....1000%, turned up to 11, Grade A pure awesomeness!!!!
  • breens91
    breens91 Posts: 23 Member
    Excellent job! I was floored when I saw the title of this thread. 731 days?! Way to go, girl. I just committed myself to 55 days which is nothing in comparison so this is really inspirational. Thanks for sharing :) keep up the great work!
  • Awesome and a great read! Congrats on your (continued) success!
  • Deipneus
    Deipneus Posts: 1,861 Member
    TL/DR - Lift the weights, eat the food, look hot!
    Congratulations! And thanks for posting. I never get tired of reading success stories and looking at success pictures!
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    Aww, guys, thanks!
  • Aitm20
    Aitm20 Posts: 92 Member
    Amazingly inspiring!
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