15 months and 85 pounds (LONG with lots of pics)

Jillish23 · January 2015

At the Colorado picture I found myself thinking "wow" but then I reached the photo of the pistol squat... OH MY WORD! Incredible! You look so strong! Fantastic and honest story. Thank you!

sdurrahMpls · January 2015

I love, love, LOVE your story, because it's not just about losing weight, but becoming strong and powerful. This felt like I was reading from personal experience. How beautiful your achievements have been!

MKEgal · January 2015

Wow. Way to go!
I, too, really like the top of the mountain picture.

CarlydogsMom · January 2015

epido wrote: »

CarlydogsMom wrote: »

I am so impressed. I have just started lifting, and intently reading weightlifting posts on these boards. Just so happened to come across your pistol squat video from a different post and thought "what's a pistol squat, let me check this out.." watched your video, but was completely unappreciative as to how difficult they are (which to me says that you made them look fluid and almost easy). Well, the very next day, my trainer just happened to say "let's start on pistol squats..."

Oh. My. God. I couldn't even. Heck, even my trainer has difficulty with those things.

Not to mention my deadlifts, I started at like 55 pounds and my one rep max after a couple months is 120. Geesh.

Keep up the great work and keep posting your progress! What a great job, and congratulations!

It just takes time, work, and dedication. You'll get there! It's so sweet of you to say I made the pistol look easy. It's definitely work! In fact, my trainer is doing them with a 40 kg bell at the moment (working towards the 48) and it amazes me how easy he makes that look compared to mine!

I have done countless squats, both one and two legs, some with the TRX, some with boxes, and some without. I have gone pretty heavy with the goblet squats (2 legs). We've worked on flexibility and mobility and anything else you can imagine.

As for the DLs, it's the same thing! Even though I hadn't been doing traditional weight lifting for the first year of this journey, the kettle bells have given me a huge foundation to work off of for all the other stuff. Trust me, if I had started out at the beginning doing deads, there is no way I would have been able to pull that much weight the first time out. You'll continue to progress and be doing more and more before you know it!

Thanks for the feedback, I will definitely keep your success in my mind as I
forge on!

debubbie · January 2015

I absolutely loved your story and how you narrated it throughout your journey. I appreciate you sharing your story and helping to inspire me and others. I think I need to kick up my kettlebell training a few notches and quit being lazy about it! It is evident from your story that they can be a great benefit in building a strong foundation in which to transition into other lifting and strength training, which is my ultimate goal. Thank you for sharing!

RRBww · January 2015

Simply amazing! So many victories!

tigerlily_ · January 2015

I have goosebumps! So inspirational. Seriously, well done.

nikitad123 · January 2015

You look fantastic. You're honestly such an inspiration.

Vailara · January 2015

Wow, so strong! I've been lifting on and off for almost three years and I'm at a little bit below your STARTING deadlift weight! I know you'd been using the kettlebells so weren't starting from nothing, but still - that's hugely impressive.

Funnily enough, I've just started using kettlebells this week and loved them. You've inspired me to really get into them. I don't think I'll ever have your results, but it's something to try to aim towards. Thank you!

sandraakrueger · January 2015

You have just motivated me to get moving....thanks for sharing your success story....keep it going....you're so inspirational!!!!

muzichick · January 2015

Great work! You look so fit now too

HEGC · January 2015

Your story is very inspiring and motivating! I congratulate you on your achievement's so far. I hope you go on to become a certified SFG instructor, you would awesome at this because you have walked the walk so to speak. Good luck on the Iron Maiden and 24Kg pistol squat too. Keep up the GREAT work!

Shananigans457 · January 2015

What an amazing story! You are a rock star!!!

NextPage · January 2015

I loved the details of your journey. The best part is that you didn't settle for 'halfway" and instead regrouped, changed things up and went for it. I have no doubt that you will get to the events you mention and 160. There is no stopping you.

radiosilents · January 2015

LOVE every bit of this. You are my hero!

calichic74 · January 2015

Slow and steady wins the race!!! Congrats!!!

nazlikopol · January 2015

Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story with such details. I know that it will help me and will bookmark this page and I will revisit it. I also kept looking at your progress photos telling myself you have a similar body type and you will not end up with much loose skin. I Have faith

I am working out too and I am hoping the muscle building will save my body and my unreasonable fear of loose skin.

danidanibobani · January 2015

Really inspiring! You look fantastic.

ajff · January 2015

Thanks so much for sharing. I'm at that 70 pound slump and trying to get past the mind games I've started playing and push on! Thanks for adding a bit of ooomph behind the thought that I can do this! Best of luck in your continued work ahead and thanks for sharing!

afortunatedragon · January 2015

This is really a great story.
I am currently on the stage were I lost "it"
No losing, going over my calories and hardly exercise.
This gives me hope and I keep on trying.
Thanks for sharing.

jenmovies · January 2015

All it took was you deciding to change, and you all made it happen yourself. I have no doubts you will reach your final goal. Please updated us when you do!

wateryphoenix · January 2015

you are awesome

apple173 · January 2015

Congratulations. Very inspiring.

upsaluki · January 2015

Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work. I'm going to start with Kettlebell myself this week.

debneeds2beskinny · January 2015

Absolutely friggin wonderful! I love reading the success stories, but yours is truly an inspiration. You should be so proud of yourself and your husband should really appreciate what you have done. amazing.