SUCCESS!! **lots of pics**

I'm so excited to post my official "Success Story". I've made it to my goal weight range and I am now transitioning from "losing weight" to "maintaining". I couldn't have done it without the support of my dear husband and my fantastic MFP friends.

In 2008 I gained 50+ pounds while pregnant with my second child (I only gained 20 with the first and lost it all). I went from 134 lbs to 183+ (that is when I stopped counting). That was a TON of weight on my small 5'2 frame. See below:


After having my sweet little butterball I dropped from 183+ lbs to 147 lbs. Then the sight of my saggy skin kept me from losing more and I purposely gained weight to try and "fill" it out. That didn't look good either. I was hovering between 157-162 lbs and felt terrible. I'd been telling myself for years that I wanted to be the "best me I could be" by the time I reached 30. On my 29th birthday I decided that I would FINALLY do something (and not just half-*kitten* it this time). I knew that I wouldn't be happy with the skin that I was left with (carefully hidden in the picture below) and decided that I needed a tummy tuck in order to feel comfortable with myself. Thankfully I have an amazingly supportive husband who supports my decision 100%.



In January, I started working out a few days a week and tracking my calories on MFP. I also joined my first 12 week challenge. I even joined a weightloss support group (it was a waste of money because I learned more and received more support through MFP). In February I started INSANITY, finished all 60 days and immediately started TurboFire (I also started my own 12 week challenge). After 12 weeks of TurboFire I started P90X (but still did TurboFire for cardio) and started my second 12 week challenge. I will finish my first round of P90X next week and then I will immediately start 12 weeks of P90X/TurboFire Hybrid which will last until December 11th (and yes, I'll be in another 12 week challenge). I'll have my tummy tuck on December 12 and will have officially met all of my goals in time for my 30th birthday on December 12th.







:bigsmile: Important things I learned in these 8 months:
1) Not only do you need to watch the calories, you need to watch where they are coming from.
2) Don't be afraid of lifting weights, your body needs lean muscle to burn calories and fat
3) Cardio alone will not do the job, you need diet, cardio, weights/strength training, and flexibility (stretching)
4) How the clothes fit and how you feel is more important than the number on the scale
5) There is no "easy way" or "quick fix". What works for me may not work for you and what works for you may not work for me. You have to try hard and work hard every day.
6) Messing up does not mean you are a failure, it just means you are still learning.
7) There is no such thing as foods that are off-limits (I'm not on a "diet)...if what I'm eating/doing is not something that I can maintain for the long haul, then I am bound to fail. I choose to make healthy choices but I will not deny myself something I love forever.


:flowerforyou: Thanks to all of my AMAZING MFP friend that have been with me all the way. The 12 week challenges have kept me accountable and the friends I have made have supported me every step of the way!!!


Yes, I am officially "that girl" that flexes in the mirror about 50 times a day. :laugh:


**Forgive me for being long winded.