Size 14 & XXL to 8's and Mediums.. LOTS PICS and story.

So... this is my second shot at writing this one year post!

I just passed one year on MFP and figured, although I am nowhere near my goal weight I should still make a post because I've come a long way. I really don't have a "goal weight" specifically and understand that I'll never be "done" because I like muscles and am aspire to be an awesome, pretty muscular and strong woman.

Here's the deal. I used to dance in high school... I looked pretty good and was 150lbs. Still bigger than most would say is ideal, but I was muscular and really only had some lovehandles

2008 - Pre-Heavy Weight



I graduated high school, gained the freshmen 15 (and more) and learned to lift weights. I loved lifting weights! My favorite lift is the bench press:

Between 2009/2011






This is where I explain my problem. I lifted heavy... I trained 3-4 days a week consistently. Heavy bench, heavy squats and deads, I would sometimes use a prowler... and it was fun! After a heavy day of lifting, I'd go to McDonalds and toss down a burger and a milkshake! Hey, but in my world it was fine because those both contained good amounts of protein. Nothing else mattered, not fat, not carbs.. just lots of protein. I topped that off with marathon gaming sessions in my free time. Outside of homework, work and gym... I'd spend days on Battlefield 2... man I love that game I didn't see myself becoming fat.

Back in the day, I had 16 inch biceps! Man, I was proud of those biceps. They were as big as my boyfriends and in my unexperienced chubby self I felt muscle so thought they were toned. This is where people often make the mistake of thinking they have HUGE muscles... nah... its the fat on top of them. I didn't see how wide I was... I didn't realize this.

[imghttp://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz80/tamara_00/Progress Photos/34622_121165637929669_100001087007609_114796_6186861_n.jpg

I got stronger... fatter, but stronger still. I made a World Record eventually, 225.7lbs in the bench press. WABDL federation for those who are interested. Problem was, I eventually hit super heavyweight to make that record... 199+lbs. This started to bother me... I also gained a double chin. I would do what people normally do. Cut out sweets for a day, no sugar, no doughnuts... nothing at all that I really wanted. I'd then cheat and because I cheated it didn't matter anymore so I'd give up. I know this part we can all understand.

200LBS







I then discovered I'd ended up pregnant.... later, lost the baby and found out all my weight was really just FAT. My doctor even told me as she was feeling around my huge barrel belly that there were 2-3 solid inches of fat on my belly. Not cool. She tested me for thyroid problems, diabetes. I didn't have anything wrong with me. I didn't have anything to blame but myself for my body.

I found MFP and since then things changed. Calorie counting clicked, myfitnesspal made things simple. It was all math and I'd always been strong there

I lost ten pounds in a few weeks...
190LBS


I took the summer off, then started back up after gaining three pounds back and joined a gym again! YAY!

First day back in the gym...




Then I lost more...



This year, I joined bodybuilding.com's transformation contest because I know training for a REAL goal makes a difference. My friends on myfitnesspal gave me advice, I was given some terrific Macros and now follow a IIFYM lifestyle.

January @ 180LBS





Since then... these are from the beginning of this month! XD





As you can see, I'm NOWHERE NEAR DONE...

44 inch waist down to a 31.5 inch
Size 14 Jeans... down to 8's ALREADY!
16.5 inch biceps to 12.9's,
46 inch lovehandles... only down to 39 but shrinking
Double chin and saggy belly? Gone

Some of these are still embarrasing, but its my story and I'm sticking to it!

You kick *kitten*.

^^This

You kick *kitten*.

^^This

I second that "this"