47 lbs down and I feel GREAT!!! before and after pics

Hi, I'm Caroline,

I've been on mfp since last April, I've lost 47 lbs so far with a combination of diet and exercise, and I thought it was about time I posted some before and after photos, and my story for anyone that's interested.

I have battled with my weight since I was a teenager, usually sitting somewhere between 15 abd 30 lbs overweight. Then in 2000, I stopped smoking and dieted to my goal weight, 125lbs. But I hadn't really made a lifestyle change, so, even although I swore I would never do it, the weight gradually went back on, and in the years that followed, I piled even more on. I ended up being far heavier than I had ever been in my life and felt constantly tired, never had any energy for anything, full of aches and pains, getting problems with my knees, ankles, and back, felt frumpy, ugly, and never felt like doing much.

Then in April last year, inspired by the success my daughter was having loosing her baby weight, I tried to loose weight again for the umpteenth time! This time I looked again at this app I had downloaded the previous year but not done much with - MFP.

I've always liked fresh, healthy food, but also used to also love chocolate, cheese, bread, Mc Donalds, biscuits, peanut butter, eating too much and being really full!!!

I started not only logging my food, but looking at the community pages, and getting friends to support me, and who I could support. I can honestly say mfp, and the friends I have made here, and support from my daughter and family have completely changed my life!!!

I found logging my food properly was a revelation, and that I could stick to my calorie allowance and eat really healthily.

After a couple of months, I started reading about different exercise regimes others were trying. I've never really done much exercise, only hiking on holidays and on the odd weekend. I was always really bad at any other exercise, especially aerobic types, even at school. I came accross c25k (couch to 5K running programme), which had had successes with complete couch potatoes like me, so I thought I'd give it a go! I completed that in the allotted 9 weeks last September and now I really love running! Before, loving ANY type of exercise has always been a really alien concept to me. Since then, I have joined the gym (I had never set foot in one before then), and 2-3 times a week I run, swim, do various cardio workouts, and a weights programme.

I don't think I have ever felt this full of energy and healthy in my life ( and I'm 50 now! )

I feel so grateful every day that I have managed to turn my life around.

I've still got a way to go, I can't seem to shift the last few pounds, but I will get there.

The main thing I want to say is two things. Firstly, a huge "thank you" to all the mfp friends who have supported me on this journey - you know who you are. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

Secondly, I really want to encourage anyone out there who is struggling to get their weight off like I was. I know it's been said before, but I can do this, anyone can. You won't believe how much better you can feel, and eating all that yummy fatteneng stuff and veging on the couch is just sooo not worth it.

If you haven't done so already, get off your backside and do some exercise, start logging food and exercise, eat healthy, stay within your cals target, and your body and mind will thank you!!!!

Here's a photo collage. I haven't got many from when I was really fat - I didn't like having my photo taken, surprise surprise! The first ones are from 2009 on holiday in New York (what an amazing city, I love love love it!!!), the second from last spring, and the last one from the other day, from a group my daughter took of me messing about in my bedroom, trying on some new clothes, my new favourite hobby!

I hope someone is inspired to continue on their journey, and thanks for taking the time to read mine. :happy:
Caroline xx



Don't know why it's cut the " after" photo off, so here it is ...