A year of working out: before & after pics

[litebright]

This is an AW post. It's been almost exactly a year since I stepped up my workouts and really concentrated on making them a priority to go 2-3 times a week (as opposed to 1-2, which was barely helping me maintain). These aren't maybe as dramatic as some before/after photos, but I've put a lot of work in and I can really tell the difference in my body. 

The first two pics are from March 2014, the second two are from last week. 

 

 

And yes, my dog insists on being in the pictures, which is why I'm laughing in the second one. He takes a high level of interest in these, for some reason!

I did a few sessions with a trainer to start, then did New Rules of Lifting for Women and am in stage three of NROL for Abs, which I love. I changed very little in my diet -- see-sawed on giving up soda, managed to more consistently drink sparking water, sometimes drink alcohol during the week, sometimes only on the weekends. I have been (inconsistently) adding C25K along with my lifting and am in week five now. 

I have NOT lost weight. In the first pics I'm at about 140. I'm 5'4" and that was the heaviest I'd ever been outside of pregnancy. I went up to around 150 over the course of the year as I gained muscle, and in the second pics I'm at about 145 -- I think I'm seeing some weight loss from that peak because of the added cardio. But, at 37, I think I can confidently say that I'm the strongest I've ever been (I can deadlift more than 100 pounds), I'm at one of my healthiest points ever, I love how my arms look, I actually sort of have abs most days, and my belly is finally not as fluffy (it has been the area that is taking the longest to see a visible difference, even though I can feel how much stronger the underlying muscles are). I'm weirdly excited that I have little indents around my knees when I do squats, because my quad muscles are so much bigger/more defined that they actually stand out on both sides of my leg, if that makes any sense.

[meggers5]

That's a firm, round little butt you've got there.

[sharknado]

Awesome! The side views are very dramatic

[DotAndBuzz]

That's amazing! You're ROCKING it! Congratulations!

[shamrockshake]

You look great!

[jreeds]

Way to go!!

[Eagles]

You look awesome! You should be so proud of yourself. I love your dog, too. He's cracking me up.

[rosiebear]

Big difference! You look terrific and the change in your waist area and butt is pretty damn awesome. I'm glad you feel healthy and strong (and your dog is adorable)!

[indianchica]

You look fantastic!
And I especially love the sideways view of your dog (like you are doing) in the top pic!

[elleblue]

You look fantastic!

[pantsparty]

You look fantastic! Way to go!

[litebright]

I was tempted to take a bunch of body-builder-esque flexing pictures now that I actually have muscles, but I resisted the urge. I do like to flex my muscles and make Hulk-faces at DH every once in awhile.

[ECB]

Awesome!!

[thejen626]

Great job!!

I've been working out very intensely also, but not changing my diet. I just had my measurements taken. Since January I've lost an inch around my waist, 1/2 inch hips, 1/2 inch biceps and 1/2 inch thighs. But my weight is still the exact same lol!

[mrsjuleshs]

You look great!

[BaliHai]

You look incredible! Congrats!

Your dog is cracking me up.

[arpb14]

You look fantastic. Good job!

[savan]

You look amazing!

[litebright]

Mar 12, 2015 11:03:14 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

Great job! And your dog is cracking me up, esp. in the second pic. lol

I know. I feel like maybe he wanted to document his progress, too, lol! 

[cleo29]

Awesome job! It is amazing when you start seeing the difference and can tell in your clothing.

[nahoku]

You look amazing! Congrats!

[Deleted]

Good work! You look great and I bet you feel better too! I'm off to take a long walk. Thank you for the inspiration!

[Kit]

You look awesome!

[atlas]

You look awesome!!! Love that your dog is in the pictures too!

Just goes to show that the number on the scale means pretty little in what you look like! CONGRATS!

[hereigo]

You look great!

[noodleskooze]

Great job. I'm trying to get myself psyched up to start NROLFW. I'm very encouraged by your results!

[shoeaholic]

Great job!

[05heel]

You look great!

[Deleted]

You look awesome!

[Deleted]

Great job! You should be very proud of your progress!