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

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!

Thanks so much ladies!

Thanks ladies. Size 8-10 is 100% doable. You both can do it!!

taliasometimes wrote: »

how you get your bum like that! xx

A ton of squats and step ups!!

Love it!! ^^^ Lol, thank you.

Night everyone.