40 lbs Off the Scale - Even More Mental Weight (Photos)

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My journey has been a long one. I started trying to lose weight back in 2012 using MyFitnessPal when I was already at a healthy weight. I lost the weight I wanted (got to ~120) but was never satisfied. Never quite skinny enough. This led me through a perpetual cycle of fad diets/workouts and a terrible relationship with food. Fast forward through 2 undergraduate degrees, a graduate degree, and pregnancy, In late 2019, I found myself over 200 lbs.

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After having my daughter, I decided that I had to fix this. I was not healthy and had a terrible relationship with food and my body. I started doing a few things immediately: 1) Reunited with MyFitnessPal :) and 2) Making a conscious effort to love myself as I was, right where I was. I wanted to love myself enough to change. And I DID. It didn't happen overnight. It took patience and purposeful mental work, but I started here. Then I started exercising regularly. No excuses - just showing up for myself, especially on days I didn't feel like it. Slowly, I began to feel better. I gained confidence.

Then, In September of 2021, I decided to start strength training. This was a game-changer. I started feeling STRONG... like I could conquer the world. The photos below show my progress over the last 7 months. I am 12 lbs from my goal weight of 150 lbs. I feel amazing and am so proud of how far I've come.

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I now strength train full body twice a week and do indoor cycling 2-3 times a week. I work full-time and make time to spend with my family. I've found balance and am absolutely loving life.

Replies

  • CrustyOldMan
    CrustyOldMan Posts: 19 Member
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    Looking good. Well done.
  • Cheetah61
    Cheetah61 Posts: 6 Member
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    great job!!! You look fabulous, thanks for posting...gives me more incentive to keep at it!
  • RaquelFit2
    RaquelFit2 Posts: 208 Member
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    Congrats on your success! I feel like I'm not progressing fast enough but TBH I'm not giving it 100%. I think the biggest problem is working out when I don't feel like it. (I've been cutting my workouts short.) Your story is encouraging! And helps me to do better.
  • AJBusjahn
    AJBusjahn Posts: 14 Member
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    Awesome work.
  • jmccoll649
    jmccoll649 Posts: 1 Member
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    I think all 3 of your pictures are great !, I hope the loving yourself was fixed by the first picture <3. Your weightloss is super and the strength training is definately working helping giving you great shape. You earned it.
  • emilypaige1992
    emilypaige1992 Posts: 10 Member
    edited May 2022
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    RaquelFit2 wrote: »
    Congrats on your success! I feel like I'm not progressing fast enough but TBH I'm not giving it 100%. I think the biggest problem is working out when I don't feel like it. (I've been cutting my workouts short.) Your story is encouraging! And helps me to do better.

    @RaquelFit2 Honestly, the wake-up call for me was the saying "Choose your hard." Everything is hard. Being overweight is hard. Being fit is hard. But we can CHOOSE our hard. :)

    Also, there is no finish line! Everyone is different. Progress is progress, no matter how long it takes to get there.
  • katelin_su1
    katelin_su1 Posts: 1 Member
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    love this! we have similar measurements so this was very motivating to me!
  • SNAILTURBO2GO
    SNAILTURBO2GO Posts: 8 Member
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    Wow, you are doing great! Im happy to see this inspiration. Ive lost weight in the past then slipped back into bad habits of life and somehow ended up bigger then I have ever been. Im off to a good start, but gees your pics are seriously inspirational, you are AWESOME, thanks!
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