Before and today - 33lbs lost, 5'8" *pics*

I am 5'8" and my starting weight was about 189 (not exactly sure) before I kicked my but into gear in early October 2011. I started cycling to and from work (30 mins each way) and doing bootcamp for 45mins three mornings a week. I would occasionally throw in an extra workout here and there, such as circuit class, jogging, 30DS (not consistently), etc. I cleaned up my eating and cut out the majority of dairy (except for yoghurt, or milk when I was out of soy/almond) and processed sugar.

A normal day for me is: homemade granola/porridge for breakfast, a snack of a protein shake, lunch is something like tuna and a big salad or leftovers from the night before, afternoon snack of about 15 almonds and a fruit, dinner of some sort of protein and loads of veg, and a small portion of a carb.

I had been vegetarian for 17 years up until January. I didn't notice any difference in my weight loss before and after changing this aspect of my eating - I consistently lost 5-6lbs a month both before and after. But I do feel like I am able to consistently eat much more protein now that I eat meat, so it has worked for me.

I also drink MUCH less alcohol than I used to. I used to drink 3-5 days a week and now it is once a week or every 10 days and in smaller quantities (I find now it affects me much more, and my hangovers are HORRIBLE). I think this has contributed significantly to my weight loss.

I had hoped to be at my (arbitrarily set) goal of 150lbs by now and I am 6lbs short because my weight loss stalled for 6 weeks during April/May. I think this was due to me slacking off a bit with my diet and some sweets and alcohol sneaking in more often than before, particularly as I had a few long-weekend breaks, and I let myself eat and drink what I want when on holiday.

I've now decided to stop focussing on the scale and shift to strengthening. I have started doing the 100 push ups programme (google it if interested) and am determined to be able to do one pull-up. I also want to start lifting heavy and have ordered NROLFW. My goal now is not about the scale, but about dropping some body fat and getting stronger.

And now for the pictures! (I hope this works)


2 October 2011 (about 189lbs):


25 February 2012 (165lbs):


31 May 2012 (156lbs):