lost the baby weight, starting to model - pictures

Hi there. I joined MFP about a year and a half ago, but became pregnant within a few months. I started out 155lbs, but by the end of my pregnancy, I weighed 208lbs. I gave birth to my beautiful daughter at the beginning of June, but since my weight was unhealthy, I decided to come back to MFP. I walked during the healing period after giving birth, and once my body could handle it, I began cardio workouts 5 times a week. Because I was breastfeeding, I aimed for a net calorie intake of no less than 1,700 each day, with my doctor’s approval of course.

I lost 50lbs, and reached my goal of my pre-pregnancy within 8 weeks. It felt so great to reach my goal that I decided I wanted to push myself even further, and pursue my dream of making a career out of modeling. Since reaching my initial goal in July, I have lost 16lbs. It has been slow, but I want to do this healthy. I will be entering an industry where so many people lose themselves, so I am going to take my time. This is not just a fad diet to get skinny quick; I want the pounds to stay off for good.

I am currently a size 8 (a whole dress size less than pre-pregnancy!), and for the modeling agency I have my eye on to consider me, I need to be at least a 6. My new goal is not a certain weight, but to drop a dress size. However, this journey has been about much more than just measurements for me. It is about reaching for my dreams. If a certain agency does not want me because they cannot see what I do, then that is fine, I can always find one that does. The most important thing is that I have become a more healthy and active person. I have several close relatives including my mom, my brother, and a few uncles, and my grandma, who all have type 2 diabetes. It is a scary reality for me, and I am not going to ignore the warnings.

Before I became pregnant, I was uncomfortable in my own skin, and too scared to believe in myself. I thought I was fat, and when I looked in a mirror, I only saw flaws. Pregnancy changed that all. Maybe it was the swollen ankles, not being able to wear my wedding ring, or maybe even just looking at my old pictures from high school. Something made me realize that I was crazy to think I ever had it bad before. Since then, I cannot help but appreciate my body and love it the way it is. For example, when the swelling in my legs went down (a few days after giving birth, no real weight loss yet) and I saw my ankles for the first time in months, I think I felt like the sexiest woman alive!

I hope that posting this will give me the motivation I need to continue to reach my final goal of losing those last stubborn inches. I am in the final stretch and it seems so close, yet so far away. In a few weeks, I have a photo shoot to start building a portfolio. I am so nervous, but very excited! Wish me luck!

I am rambling now. If anyone reads all of that, I guess what I want you take away from it is to love your body as it is. No matter how much you gain or lose, you are not going to feel better unless you respect yourself.

Here are some pictures; I hope they inspire you to reach for your dreams too.

Pre-pregnancy at 155lb. March 2010:



200lbs. May 2011:



200lbs. May 2011:



First goal weight, 155lbs. August 2011:



139lbs. Current:



139lbs. Current: