theologynerd Member

Also, don't discount hormones. TOM = instant water retention for most women.

If you're curling 30lbs., that's really impressive as a beginner. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I'm not even going to write down what I curl! ETA: It's a lot less than 30.

Something that made a huge difference for me was strength training. I started out with just my own body weight because I was so weak. Lunges, squats, push-ups, etc. and I went from size 9/10 at 150 lbs. to size 5/6. I didn't lose a pound, and it was the same brand AND same cut of jeans. Made all the difference in the world.

I have had plateaus that have lasted 6-8 weeks. They are very frustrating, but you just have to wait them out. Your body can fight the weight loss as much as it likes, but if you're in a calorie deficit, it can't win. What helped me over my last plateau was changing my caloric intake from 1500 to 1600. Boom. It's dropping…

I always thought it was "Secret Asian Man" instead of Secret Agent Man. :( A friend of mine interpreted ACDC's "Dirty deeds and they're done dirt cheap" as "Thunder Chief with the dirty knees". He would sing it that way in all seriousness, and couldn't understand why we were laughing so hard we were bawling.

Great results!

What a fantastic idea!

I'm at the opposite end of the spectrum. I have 3 kids and would love a half dozen more if my husband would let me. I can't wait to foster and/or adopt. People gave me funny looks when I got pregnant with #3 and asked, "Well, how many are you going to HAVE?!" Like I just announced I was pregnant with #34. Imagine the…

I wish I would have started lifting long ago. When I finally got to my goal weight, I was very disappointed with what I saw. Friends on here told me to lift, so I started lifting, just my body weight to begin with. I started lifting at 150 lbs. size 9/10 jeans, and within six weeks, I comfortably fit in size 5/6 jeans. My…

These are awesome to read! Mine would be that I woke up sore from running on Thursday, and I WANT to run again today! I have always hated running more than anything, couldn't stand it, despised it. Now... I think I actually like it!

Gorgeous!

Two for me. The first is a Jack the Ripper movie, not even sure if it was titled that or not, but I saw it when I was seven, and had nightmares for a full year. The second is "It". I've been terrified of clowns since then, and just recently saw a picture of that freaky clown coming out of a storm drain, and realized THAT'S…

Finished! Might have to do some more tonight :)

MoonMeliMelo, I can't see you very well in your pic, but you sound very adventurous and honest!

Sometimes, I think a pity party is just what the doctor ordered. Ok, maybe no REAL doctor, but certainly the self-certified doctor in my head :) I don't do it often, but when things get super crappy, I let myself wallow. Usually just a day, sometimes two. I actually scheduled a Wallow Weekend with my cousin this summer…

I'm in!

I can totally tell the difference, and you look so much better. Healthier, and more confident. Slow and steady wins the race, you are doing fantastic!

About six weeks ago I was a 9/10 at 5'7" and 150 lbs. After doing body weight exercises, I am now a 5/6 at 150 lbs. I didn't even know that was possible. So am I now a strength training advocate? YES.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to make such positive, thoughtful comments. I've gotten teary several times today just out of gratitude for all the nice words. To think that I'm now inspiring other people... what a joy. To answer the question of how I did it: First, I tracked my calories. I went from 1800 (probably…

Keep in mind that stretch marks will fade. They can look so angry and permanent right after giving birth! The skin is an organ, and can shrink down in amazing ways, as well. My original goal weight was met when I lost 80 lbs., but when I got there, I wasn't impressed with what I saw. I was disappointed, but thought about…

Ya'll are seriously making me tear up :*)

Wow, what a difference! Good for you for busting your butt!

Again, thanks for all of the awesome words of encouragement! It has taken me roughly a year. I realize that is pretty fast. I had a baby August 5, 2012, and I breastfed, so the first 20-25 lbs. or so flew right off. The before picture is pretty accurate in terms of my weight before I got pregnant. I am working at lowering…

I have gone from approx. 50 carbs a day to 100+ without a problem.

I'm not anti-carb, but that was the only thing that seemed to give my belly jigglies the shock they needed. After low carbing for a while, I had a few "wooshes". Google "woosh" if you feel marbles/BBs in your fat. My husband doesn't think my body fat measurements are accurate either because of my mommy pouch (currently it…

Thank you! All of you are seriously making me feel terrific. And I was bothered because I didn't put in make-up on in my "after" pic. You're all such nice people!

Thank you! I keep my calories in check, got moving with taekwondo, and have started lifting. Other than that, just patience. You can do it! Edited to say that I would like to lower my body fat % more and build more muscle, but I'm super flattered that you asked if I'm maintaining this!

My mom always said I was "strawberry blonde" but everyone else just calls me a red head. Love my freckles, they're just acrosss my nose and cheeks. And I'm so white, I got skin cancer in my 20's!

I went through a hair loss phase recently. It was about 6-8 weeks, and so bad it clogged up the drain in our shower, and I could pull handfuls of hair out. I have been eating around 1500 cals a day, and love my meat, fruits, and vegetables. I don't think I was doing anything wrong. I was sensible, and never starved myself.…

Try a B Complex vitamin. It has done wonders for me. I just picked up a bottle at WalMart, nothing special. I actually can't take my pill after 1pm or I can't get to bed until 2am!