From a size 20 to a size 8 with strength training, in one year! PICS!

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Replies

  • janicebinva
    janicebinva Posts: 99 Member
    edited May 2015
    terizius wrote: »
    Gen, thank you so much for the shout out to my website. Your story was incredible and really brought a lot of value to both the site and your "fans" on MFP. In fact, you are my #1 story so far!

    I've read through this post and saw that a number of people are interested in hearing more detail about your transformation, routine, etc. That's exactly the response that I was hoping for when I first contacted you. If you are up for it, I'd love for you to write another story that goes into more detail regarding your diet and routine. I'm sure the readers here would appreciate it as well.

    Also, I need to get your husbands story too! I didn't realize that both of you had such great success! Ask him if he would be interested please.

    Its the stories of people like you and him that provide the inspiration for us all to keep on the path.

    I missed the reference to your website. If Gen doesn't mind, could you please re-reference it, or PM me? I'm curious. I do a workout with a kettlebell now, and have gained back some weight (about seven pounds from my profile picture) from eating too much and too much of the wrong food. I am interested in increasing the weight I lift, so I ordered a bigger kettlebell. I'm going from 15 to 20 pounds. I'm interested in what your website says so I can gain even more inspiration and get my head in the right place to eat right.

    Gen, thank you so much for posting your story, including the wonderful pictures. You were beautiful before, but now you really shine. Congratulations on your effort and on the results.
  • bootcamp85
    bootcamp85 Posts: 64 Member
    you go gurl....
    You look so good.
    Cant wait till I can show my before and after....
    Your transformation just made me wanna go do some stairs or something....LOL.....WTG!!!!
  • myvenus
    myvenus Posts: 188 Member
    Thank you for the post, inspiration is what I need. You are beautiful and FIT as heck!!! Congratulations to you, I would like to add you as a friend as I need inspiring people like you.....
  • facelegtoe
    facelegtoe Posts: 16 Member
    Amazing transformation! I've just re-started my weightloss plan today. I'm 30 and a UK size 20. I'm bookmarking this post for inspiration!
  • Alidecker
    Alidecker Posts: 1,262 Member

    People called me selfish, obsessed, annoying and many other things during my journey. There were many times where people were less than encouraging or supportive then I expected, but it's my life, not theirs.... If you persevere, never give up and do it right (the healthy way), you'll hear those things too so get ready. It's not easy because people sometimes do not understand but you must do it for you and press on, regardless of what family, friends or whoever else, might say about it... :heart:

    Totally agree with this. Luckily my close friends understood when I would skip happy hour and go to the gym instead, or in the beginning, I skipped going to happy hour just so I wasn't tempted to go overboard. It was the other friends who told me skipping a workout wouldn't make a difference, that I needed to go out and have fun. I learned to ignore this and do my own thing for me. Little did they know that I really liked my workout and didn't like to miss them, going to the gym is not torture for me...like you, I like to lift heavy things :)

  • ayanna32
    ayanna32 Posts: 83 Member
    Your my freaking hero! I'm in love with lifting and you have sealed the deal on it! Thanks for sharing your lovely progress!
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    terizius wrote: »
    Gen, thank you so much for the shout out to my website. Your story was incredible and really brought a lot of value to both the site and your "fans" on MFP. In fact, you are my #1 story so far!

    I've read through this post and saw that a number of people are interested in hearing more detail about your transformation, routine, etc. That's exactly the response that I was hoping for when I first contacted you. If you are up for it, I'd love for you to write another story that goes into more detail regarding your diet and routine. I'm sure the readers here would appreciate it as well.

    Also, I need to get your husbands story too! I didn't realize that both of you had such great success! Ask him if he would be interested please.

    Its the stories of people like you and him that provide the inspiration for us all to keep on the path.

    Yes! I would love to. I'll start working on that!! And hubby plans to send his story in also. :smiley:

    I am blown away by all of the responses and the outpouring of love from everyone. Thank you all SO much for the kind words, I will try to answer any questions that I see! You guys can do this too!! :heart:
  • sanifr
    sanifr Posts: 41 Member
    Great job!
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    edited May 2015
    terizius wrote: »
    Gen, thank you so much for the shout out to my website. Your story was incredible and really brought a lot of value to both the site and your "fans" on MFP. In fact, you are my #1 story so far!

    I've read through this post and saw that a number of people are interested in hearing more detail about your transformation, routine, etc. That's exactly the response that I was hoping for when I first contacted you. If you are up for it, I'd love for you to write another story that goes into more detail regarding your diet and routine. I'm sure the readers here would appreciate it as well.

    Also, I need to get your husbands story too! I didn't realize that both of you had such great success! Ask him if he would be interested please.

    Its the stories of people like you and him that provide the inspiration for us all to keep on the path.

    I missed the reference to your website. If Gen doesn't mind, could you please re-reference it, or PM me? I'm curious. I do a workout with a kettlebell now, and have gained back some weight (about seven pounds from my profile picture) from eating too much and too much of the wrong food. I am interested in increasing the weight I lift, so I ordered a bigger kettlebell. I'm going from 15 to 20 pounds. I'm interested in what your website says so I can gain even more inspiration and get my head in the right place to eat right.

    Gen, thank you so much for posting your story, including the wonderful pictures. You were beautiful before, but now you really shine. Congratulations on your effort and on the results.

    Thanks everyone! :blush:

    Here is the link for where my story is:
    http://www.realbodiesrealresults.com/gen.html

    I will be writing in more detail about what helped get me to where I am so it's a bit basic at the moment but check back soon for more info there! And 20lb kettlebell is awesome. I use a 25lb kb currently so that's great, keep it up! Do what's heavy to YOU. :wink:
  • NewLIFEstyle4ME
    NewLIFEstyle4ME Posts: 4,440 Member
    terizius wrote: »
    Gen, thank you so much for the shout out to my website. Your story was incredible and really brought a lot of value to both the site and your "fans" on MFP. In fact, you are my #1 story so far!

    I've read through this post and saw that a number of people are interested in hearing more detail about your transformation, routine, etc. That's exactly the response that I was hoping for when I first contacted you. If you are up for it, I'd love for you to write another story that goes into more detail regarding your diet and routine. I'm sure the readers here would appreciate it as well.

    Also, I need to get your husbands story too! I didn't realize that both of you had such great success! Ask him if he would be interested please.

    Its the stories of people like you and him that provide the inspiration for us all to keep on the path.

    I missed the reference to your website. If Gen doesn't mind, could you please re-reference it, or PM me? I'm curious. I do a workout with a kettlebell now, and have gained back some weight (about seven pounds from my profile picture) from eating too much and too much of the wrong food. I am interested in increasing the weight I lift, so I ordered a bigger kettlebell. I'm going from 15 to 20 pounds. I'm interested in what your website says so I can gain even more inspiration and get my head in the right place to eat right.

    Gen, thank you so much for posting your story, including the wonderful pictures. You were beautiful before, but now you really shine. Congratulations on your effort and on the results.

    Thanks everyone! :blush:

    Here is the link for where my story is:
    http://www.realbodiesrealresults.com/gen.html

    I will be writing in more detail about what helped get me to where I am so it's a bit basic at the moment but check back soon for more info there! And 20lb kettlebell is awesome. I use a 25lb kb currently so that's great, keep it up! Do what's heavy to YOU. :wink:


    I'll be so very glad to hear more details whenever you get a chance and I'm grateful and glad with what you've shared already --it is so doable and so not intimidating to me at all--for which I am thrilled.

    Also, You have NO idea how many people you are helping by posting this thread/sharing your testimony. Also, I wanted to share a link I just got from you that I think is going to help me A LOT (and maybe lots of others) in this battle of the bulge. It's a Net vs. Gross calorie counter. I'd been depending somewhat on Mfp (knowing it's just a average or something) and my Nike Fitness watch (which is also not very accurate)--but this link, I believe is going to truly help me begin to see some more REAL progress (a.k.a consistent weight loss) and I'm so grateful you shared this link:

    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/net-versus-gross-calorie-burn-conversion-calculator.aspx

    I entered in my cals I burnt today on this calculator you shared and it's almost less than HALF of what I was going by. :o This is bad news, but super EXCELLENT news at the same for me--because it going to help me gage my truer cals burnt and thus my eating allowance for the day too!


    {{{{ <3 HUGS <3 }}}
  • ledonnelly75
    ledonnelly75 Posts: 9 Member
    Inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
  • pitchfordmalisa
    pitchfordmalisa Posts: 5 Member
    I usually just read...not comment but you having the same stats as me and seeing your before and after photos was like a forehead hit moment for me. You look AMAZING!!! I am not trying to get down to 135 as I'm preferring to have a little more "booty" than me at 135# (lol). I was never overweight until I had my kids. As I get older, my life slows down but the pounds rise up =(. Seeing this has renewed my drive. (I say this after I just had a breakfast burrito lol). Seeing before and after pics of someone of my stature is real motivation for me...Thank you!!!
  • JillianRN527
    JillianRN527 Posts: 109 Member
    Amazing! Did you do a DVD or your own routine?
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    Thanks guys! :blush:

    NewLIFE, I'm glad that link helped you! :grin:

    pitchford, so awesome you found inspiration here. I never had a booty either, BUT after 16 months of perfecting the squat, doing step ups, hip thrusts and other compound exercises, I now am starting to get one! I was as flat as a pancake before, with very WIDE upper hips and an oversized bust, not good! Work hard, be consistent and you can change your body into what you want but it takes time and patience! :wink:

    JillianRN, Thank you! I have always done my own routines. I don't have very good coordination so I tend to not follow dvds very well at all, plus the trainers annoy me after a few times.. :open_mouth: : I don't follow any lifting programs either. My main focus was, and still is, doing compound exercises, every day: squats, step ups, presses, lunges, etc. and keeping my protein up, at least 100g a day.

    I am currently working on putting something together that is similar to what my routines have been, so people can see how very simple it actually is and how anyone can do this. I'll be updating my story with the details on my diet and exercise routines on http://www.realbodiesrealresults.com very soon. Hopefully that will help!

    Wishing you all the best! :heart:
  • glfernandes828
    glfernandes828 Posts: 101 Member
    You look incredible!!! You go girl. And omg I LOVE strength training too. I used to be scared of doing it cuz I didn't want to get bulky muscles but now that I started, I can't stop. Love the feeling when I leave the gym after a really good workout. Ahh feels so good!!! I'm curious, how do you break up your workouts throughout the week? Like I do arms and back one day then legs another and I do abs almost every time I go, is that a good idea or should I be doing something different to maximize efficiency??
  • JessiBelleW
    JessiBelleW Posts: 831 Member
    Damn girl. Those legs! That's exactly how I want my legs to look!! Amazing
  • Deleval417
    Deleval417 Posts: 9 Member
    May I ask what calorie calculator and deficit did you use?
  • kamakazeekim
    kamakazeekim Posts: 1,183 Member
    You look amazing! We have similar stats but I don't look nearly as strong as you do!
  • holliedusteeeze
    holliedusteeeze Posts: 106 Member
    Wow u look fantastic well done... such a motivation to see it can be done thanks for sharing
  • Happylybre
    Happylybre Posts: 85 Member
    Honey you went from 33yo to 23yo??? that's awesome.... I hope I get to rock a HOT Body SOON too.... Congrats
  • NewLIFEstyle4ME
    NewLIFEstyle4ME Posts: 4,440 Member
    edited May 2015
    Wanted to add something real quick! :blush:

    All of these pics I have already posted here were from Jan-Dec of 2014. I wanted to show what one year TRULY looks like up to today! The after here was taken 2 days ago and the before is from April of 2014. I had already lost around 25lbs by this point (before pic here is 180lbs, after is 140lbs and I'm 5'3").

    And yes, that is a swimming suit in the before, a very large swimming suit :open_mouth: BUT I'm in a BIKINI in the after, for the first time in history. Got about 10-20lbs to go, we'll see what happens! :blush:

    bkobcr1kccfo.jpg


    Wow! I think you look like a mega perfect 10 (what we old folks used to call a brickhouse or a body by fisher) right now--at the weight your at. 10-20 more pounds--you'll surely look like a 19 or 20 year old for sure. Girlllllllll...seriously, you got the body that can stop traffic right now.
    I want to thank you again so much for posting this thread--just MEGA inspirational.


    P.S. WOW!

  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    Thank you all so much! :blush:
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    Deleval417 wrote: »
    May I ask what calorie calculator and deficit did you use?

    I was at around a 500 calorie/day deficit and I used this calculator along with the POLAR FT 7 from June on.

    http://www.shapesense.com/fitness-exercise/calculators/net-versus-gross-calorie-burn-conversion-calculator.aspx
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    You look incredible!!! You go girl. And omg I LOVE strength training too. I used to be scared of doing it cuz I didn't want to get bulky muscles but now that I started, I can't stop. Love the feeling when I leave the gym after a really good workout. Ahh feels so good!!! I'm curious, how do you break up your workouts throughout the week? Like I do arms and back one day then legs another and I do abs almost every time I go, is that a good idea or should I be doing something different to maximize efficiency??

    I always preferred doing a full body workout at one time for about 30-45 mins vs splitting up the muscle groups. And I do this 5-6 days a week. :blush:
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    edited May 2015
    Oh! And I don't do isolated ab work at all, never have. I've had 2 c-sections so doing those types of exercises puts pressure on my scars and it's uncomfortable. I get TONS of core work in though by doing all of the other exercises. Who knows? Maybe I'll get some "abs" one day without ever having to do a crunch or sit up at all.. :wink:
  • vixtris
    vixtris Posts: 688 Member
    Thank you for sharing this! I have been lifting similar to your workout routine every other day for almost 4 months now, with cardio on the off days. Maybe I am going a tad slower, but I am losing and thats what matters. You are an inspiration.
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    vixtris wrote: »
    Thank you for sharing this! I have been lifting similar to your workout routine every other day for almost 4 months now, with cardio on the off days. Maybe I am going a tad slower, but I am losing and thats what matters. You are an inspiration.

    Thank you and you're welcome! We are all different so it's important to go at our own individual pace but like you said, it's working for you too so just keep at it. Great job!
  • GenElizabeth
    GenElizabeth Posts: 291 Member
    edited May 2015
    Here is the revised, more detailed version of my story, if you guys want to read it! I hope you find encouragement from it, and the motivation to either start living your dreams or to continue pushing towards them!

    If I didn't answer a question that someone might still have, please ask me and I'll respond as best as I can to help. :blush:

    Thanks to Terry for all the work invested on the site, I love it!

    http://www.realbodiesrealresults.com/blog/gen-revisited-a-detailed-review-of-her-weight-loss
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