Post-Bulking Progress Pictures (Female)

So I shall start from the beginning. July 2010, I had just given birth to my third child and was 180lbs. Honestly I didn't take any real "before" pictures. BUT I did take some at a similar point after the birth of my second child and I can asure you I was in exactly the same shape so I will use those:

180lbs:


Fast forward to April. I had lost 19 lbs by trying to eat better, exercising occasionally and breast feeding (although my body is NOT one to lose weight while breast feeding, most of it had come off after I weaned at 5 months). I was NOT counting calories up to this point.

161lbs:


I started Turbo Fire in May, started MFP in June. This was Sept. 1:

149lbs:




I gained a pound "accidentally" in September, started lifting "heavy" October 2, and decided to "bulk" in mid October. So I've been "bulking" since. Eating about 3000 calories a day. Lifting heavy 3-5 times a week, including my most favorite lifts squats and deadlifts. My squats have gone from just the bar, 45lbs to 95lbs. My deads have gone from 65lbs to almost body weight at 155lbs (both are 3 sets of 8). I had decided to bulk until March or 160lbs which ever came first. 160lbs came first.

160lbs:





So yes, the above pictures are only ONE pound less than the second picture. One pound, but a size 12 jeans vs. a size 6. I love muscles.

So the plan for the future is to eat at maintenance a couple of week then start to cut again probably by eating about 2300 calories a day. I’m actually pretty happy with where I’m at except a little bit of love handles and my thighs. I’m not sure how much weight I’ll cut. My goal is definitely a moving target. I’ll probably go back down to 150ish and then reassess.