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

allens2001 wrote: »

I stumbled upon your post by accident and at first I thought why am I here. However after seeing your BEAUTIFUL transformation pics I know why, lol!! Here is a little about me: I am 45, 5'3, CW: 262.2 (the heaviest I have ever been for last two years). My goal weight is to be under 200 for the first time in 15 years. After that, I will set a new goal weight. I to am a stay-at-home mom of three. In the last month, I have deleted all processed foods from my families diet. I do have a gym membership but after four months of working out was not seeing much progress in weight dropping on scale although I lost inches.

So today, I have gone through each and every post in this discussion board and I am committed to making the changes in my workout plan and calories consumed to start my BEAUTIFUL transformation as well. I am so grateful to you sharing your transformation of your body through your workout plan, nutrition info, positive thinking, and motivating comments. YOU and your HUBBY have made a definite impact on my thoughts towards being committed and the RESULTS commitment yields.

Forever Grateful,
Allens2001❤️

Wow! Thank you for your kind words! This makes it all worth it. I am so happy to hear you are committing to living a healthier lifestyle now and I'm very proud that you got rid of the junk in your house! You are more than capable to lose the weight, just take it one day at a time. It's such an important decision to make and it's never too late to start.

What's so awesome about fitness too, is that we can always grow and learn as we work to get closer to our goals. I actually did my very first meal prep for the week, just today! We saved a ton of money buying in a bigger quantity, plus we were able to get better quality food too (farm raised chicken vs not, fresh veggies vs frozen, etc.) doing it this way. I feel great knowing I am set up to have a super, successful week. There's a first time for everything!

howejoyous wrote: »

Wow, I am so impressed with your transformation. Congrats to you! You are really empowering us by showing how you did this without trainers, gyms, classes, etc. That is so helpful for me, especially, because I am on a limited budget and find it hard to go it alone.

I am 65 and a year and a half ago I was walking with difficulty and occasional arthritis/bursitis. Sometimes my ankle still tweaks and I wear a support ankle brace to walk and jog. I started out at 235 lbs 2 years ago. I am 5'6" and I have lost 52 lbs so far. The question I want to ask is about belly fat. Because I have been doing aqua aerobics, walking, easy bike rides last summer (I am new to biking and live in a cold climate.) I am feeling so much better, except I feel hopeless about my belly flab/overhang. Tell me that that goes away with lifting and strength training, and I will start that immediately.

You are so down to earth and open. I admire that so much. Thanks for your advice and encouragement on here.

Thank you! I'm super glad you found encouragement here.

Belly fat is simply excess body fat on your midsection. Unfortunately, the only way to get rid of it is to acquire a lower overall body fat % over time, by way of a moderate calorie deficit. To see the "abs" or the abdominals (stomach muscles) underneath, women must get their body fat % down to around the low teens, which is very difficult and could take years to do, but is still possible. MANY women have done it and continue to do it.

Loose skin, however, is different. Once you lose all of the fat in an area, there may be some loose skin there that remains. I have loose skin and stretch marks covering my entire stomach (from above my belly button, all the way down). I had 2 children, both were C-sections, but over the years, the stretch marks have faded a lot. The skin there is still far from tight, which is partially why I was so interested in weight training from the start, to help fill in areas that need it.

Weight training helps you burn calories and helps with body recomposition (which is basically losing fat and gaining muscle simultaneously). The more muscle we have, the more calories we burn, even when doing nothing! It will not help to tighten the actual loose skin that may be present, though it can help it to appear tighter by growing the muscle underneath. Eating fish, taking a fish oil supplement (I want to start taking asap!), staying hydrated by drinking tons of water (at least 64oz/day), and moisturizing the area regularly will all help. Surgery for some, is also an option later on.

I'm still awaiting my... "abs" and will likely be waiting a looooong time, lol. It takes a HUGE amount of time to bring ourselves full circle but that's why fitness is so fun! It never ends and if we keep going, the possibilities and results from hard work are endless!

Continue on with your progress, 52lbs is AWESOME. You can finish this AND you can look great. I wish you the very, very best!