Muscles + 100lb Weight Loss

It's definitely possible. Here is a before picture, I am 5'4", 236lbs in this picture.


This is after about a 90lb loss and lifting.



I still have another 15-20lbs to go and am hoping to lower my body fat percentage and tighten my stomach a bit but I am super happy with my muscle definition in my arms, back, and legs so far.

HOLY MOLY. Amazing.

You look amazing and you just totally inspired me. Can you tell me what you did to lose fat and your strength training schedule?

It's definitely possible. Here is a before picture, I am 5'4", 236lbs in this picture.


This is after about a 90lb loss and lifting.



I still have another 15-20lbs to go and am hoping to lower my body fat percentage and tighten my stomach a bit but I am super happy with my muscle definition in my arms, back, and legs so far.

You are a beautiful lady! Amazing job! Thanks for posting! You inspire me!

O-M-G!!!! You look amazing!!!! You give me tons of hope!!! Thanks for posting!!!!!

It's definitely possible. Here is a before picture, I am 5'4", 236lbs in this picture.


This is after about a 90lb loss and lifting.



I still have another 15-20lbs to go and am hoping to lower my body fat percentage and tighten my stomach a bit but I am super happy with my muscle definition in my arms, back, and legs so far.

Amazing job! Where did the 145lb pic come in? Did you lose weight and then start lifting?

I'd love to know if it's possible to make gains in muscle while trying to lose 100+ lbs? If anyone has done this can you post some progress pics? much appreciated!

Possible, but even with obese people, the muscle gain is minimal. What most obese don't realize is that carrying around a lot of extra weight FORCED the body to increase lean mass too. Usually why legs and calves are muscular when losing weight even if leg work is minimal.

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

I'd love to know if it's possible to make gains in muscle while trying to lose 100+ lbs? If anyone has done this can you post some progress pics? much appreciated!

Possible, but even with obese people, the muscle gain is minimal.

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

Yes, this is what I was thinking. Those muscles do look amazing! Lifting helps preserve muscle as fat is lost, and builds the strength, even if it doesn't actually add muscle mass. So lift! :happy:

in Theory iits not possible... but as shown it does happen

Thanks all for the kind words. To answer some questions and clear up potential confusion, what ninerbuff posted is absolutely correct, if you are trying to lose a substantial amount of weight, you won’t be packing on pounds and pounds of muscle. The calorie deficit that you are on for the weight loss doesn’t allow for this.

What you can do during your weight loss though is weight lifting and eating properly (hitting the right macros, especially your protein) to ensure that no or only minimal muscle mass is lost when the pounds are coming off. Once the pounds are dropping, the muscle definition will come through since the fat layers aren’t covering it up anymore.

It took me 18 months to get to my current weight, I started lifting heavy only 5 months ago. (The pictures are 2 months old so they show 3 months of lifting progress between the picture on the top right in the black dress and the flex photo).

Thanks all for the kind words. To answer some questions and clear up potential confusion, what ninerbuff posted is absolutely correct, if you are trying to lose a substantial amount of weight, you won’t be packing on pounds and pounds of muscle. The calorie deficit that you are on for the weight loss doesn’t allow for this.

What you can do during your weight loss though is weight lifting and eating properly (hitting the right macros, especially your protein) to ensure that no or only minimal muscle mass is lost when the pounds are coming off. Once the pounds are dropping, the muscle definition will come through since the fat layers aren’t covering it up anymore.

It took me 18 months to get to my current weight, I started lifting heavy only 5 months ago. (The pictures are 2 months old so they show 3 months of lifting progress between the picture on the top right in the black dress and the flex photo).

Have you been following any specific lifting program? We have a rack, bar, bench and plates at home and I've been thinking of doing StrongLifts (well actually started and then my husband buried our weight bench under stuff when we cleaned out some closets in the house).