51 lbs down and my "goal" LBD FITS!

Thank you so, so much everyone - I didn't expect to get so much positive feedback. You are all wonderful :flowerforyou:

I got a bunch of private messages asking what I did/am doing to lose weight in my journey, so although it might not be for everyone I figured I would just post it here for those interested.

I do log everything every day, but I don't measure everything like some people on here so my calories could be off around 100 either way. You'll see everything on my food diary from low calorie "Monday smoothie days" to get me back on track after the weekends to days where I splurge and have quite a bit of wine and maybe pizza or McDonalds. I think the success I have had so far is because I don't deny myself anything, I just make sure on a weekly basis to keep close to my goals! (Yup, I even have chocolate almost every day!)

I started off with Harley Pasternaks Body Reset Diet book, only because I really had no idea how to get started and count calories and cut back on all the food I was eating. It is only a 15 day diet and is all 10 minute "meals" with ingredients I already had at home. The first 5 days are 3 smoothies and 2 snacks, the second 5 days are 2 smoothies, one meal and 2 snacks and the last 5 days are 1 smoothie, 2 meals and 2 snacks. It had good basics on picking protein powders, getting started with exercise etc. and for me that is what I needed. I still use his smoothies as a base for my daily diet because they are so quick and yummy, but I've come up with my own flavors. So I'll usually have one for breakfast and then a big lunch a morning and afternoon snack and either a light dinner or a smoothie during the week.

My calories are at 1300 during the week and 1800 on weekends (I don't adjust on MFP I just eat that much). I try to "earn" an extra 500-700 calories through exercise every day during the week and then weekends I'll get out and walk but not do any "workouts". I find that by allowing myself the extra on the weekends I don't binge during the week because I have something to look forward to!

Workouts - I love my elliptical! Well ok.. I love/hate it! LOL. I try to do 45 mins 5 days a week, sometimes more, sometimes less depends how late I am running in the morning. Workout videos have become a really positive thing for me - I started with harley pasternaks hollywood workout (just because I bought the book and the wii game was only an extra $10) but now I do a bunch of Jillian Michaels workouts. I can't afford a big gym membership, nor do I want to be sweating in front of people, so it's nice to go full throttle at home and not be embarrassed. Most of her videos are $10 in target or walmart, but level 1 is free for almost all of them on youtube if you want to check them out. They are 20-30 mins (which for me is perfect since I don't have a ton of time) but high intensity cardio and strength training combined. So I usually do one of those and then the elliptical. 1 hour a day, 5 to 6 days a week. I will say I did start with 30 mins a few times a week - well actually I was so out of shape I started with 20 mins and barely able to breathe afterwards. But I just added a day or a slightly harder workout every time things were getting easier until the point I am at now!

I think the key is keep it easy enough to fit into your regular life. Keep your diet satisfying and don't "rule out" foods you love, and most importantly don't think "oh I had an awful weekend so I'll just keep eating and try again next week". If you stick to it, give yourself mini goals with mini rewards and two cheat meals (no cheat days as that adds up too fast!) a week then anyone really can get to their goals at a good pace!

Hope this gives some insight!

~Lydia~

P.S. Thanks for all the shoe compliments too - I do loooove shoes and enjoy being able to strut the high heels without my feet and ankles kiilling me after 5 mins anymore.

Thank you again everyone! :blushing: The MFP community continues to inspire me every day! Congrats and good luck on all of your amazing transformations! :flowerforyou: