I will try to keep this short. I was 85 lbs. before my first pregnancy in 2003. Gained 98 lbs and only lost half of it after I had my son. I am short (5 ft. 0.7 in.) so I was overweight at 140+ pounds. I thought a tummy tuck would resolve everything. It took away excess skin but it didn't help me become skinny again overnight. Fast forward 7 years (2010) I had my daughter. After she was 10 months old I was 147 lbs. I knew I needed to do something. I tried eating less and started walking then I went on a trip to Mexico. That didn't help much at all. When I came back from my trip I was disgusted with all my photos.

June 2011 I started calorie counting and walking everywhere I could. I lost 10 lbs in a month. My weight loss continued and in March 2012 I was 118 lbs. I was happy. I stopped calorie counting and exercising. I was able to maintain my weight. It fluctuated here and there but never more than 125 lbs.

By the end of the holidays in 2013 I felt really disgusted because my clothes no longer fit right any more. I was gaining fats and losing muscle mass. I started to exercise again this time with weight training in addition to cardio; changed my diet as well.

First picture was in May 2011 at 147 lbs. Second was November 2013 at 115 lbs. Third one is a before and after comparison that I did. The first picture I was 118 lbs (after I lost weight the first time around) and the second picture was taken yesterday at 135 lbs. Weight training makes a lot of difference.

Although I weigh more than I did before I feel better about myself than I ever have. Don't ever go by what the scale says. None scale victories are always the best!

Edit to add: Just to give a visual, my current measurements are 35.5-27-38. It is really hard for me to find pants that fits right. I have been doing a lot of lower body exercises incorporated with weights so my glutes have been growing. I can wear a size 4 but it is usually very fitted on the thigh and buttocks area. A size 6 is more comfortable but very big in the waist area. I know pictures doesn't really tell or say much so I hope this information helps.

Congratulations, you look awesome!!!!

Congratulations!!! Fantastic NSVs too!

Congratulations! That purple dress is absolutely stunning- such a lovely colour And awesome NSV, woo!!

Wow, CONGRATS. You look fantastic and I'm completely inspired. I'm also so shocked and surprised by how amazing 135lb of toned muscle looks!! I'm 5"2 and you have really inspired me to get more strength training in. Wow, enjoy your body, you look FAB.

You look great. Congratulations.

That's amazing! Great work you look awesome!

Thank you everyone. This forum has a lot to do with where I am at now. It is truly inspiring and motivational.

I really love the dress. It's too bad I can't wear it again because I bought it for my sister's wedding.

Thank you! I am glad that I can inspire someone. Strength training is wonderful and I feel really good after all my strength training days. I was very skeptical at first because I did not want to gain weight but I also did not want to be skinny fat. After I started seeing results I became addicted.

Keep working towards your goals!

Congrats!!!!

You look FAB U LOUS!!!!! Good job!