Six years ago I was 180 pounds, I opened an art school and with the stress of renovating the place, organizing the classes I stopped eating, bad idea but time was flying fast. I lost 40 pounds in 3 months, my schedule was work from 6 am to 10 pm, no time for the gym. I went from a tight size 14 to a 10. Was happy with the result although I looked like someone very unhealthy and tired looking. As the business got successfull my weight went back up, the excuse was no time to eat properly, lots of take out and my schedule being the same, no gym. I gained back 30 pounds to reach 170 in november.

After those 6 years of working 14 hours a day I decided that there was nothing left, nothing to gain, I did not even have the time painting. Decided to close the art school and move my studio in my home to paint full time and focus on galleries. My husband was concerned about how I felt about my weight and health and feeling tired all the time and made me promess that I was going to take better care of myself.

So a promess is a promess and beside I had so much loathing for the way I looked and felt that it was a no brainer so I registered at a gym with a nutritionist and personal trainer. My weight now as of this morning is 134.8, 5.2 pounds less than my previous weight but the results are not the same.

I have loads of energy even on a reduce calorie plan and visiting to the gym 6 days a week, 45 min. cardio and 30 min. weights.

I went from size 14 to size 4, yep 4 and I am certain that although the pounds loss are about the , the difference is huge.

So if you question yourself if cardio and weight lifting are necessary I can tell you that yes, yes, yes it is worthed every drop of sweat.

Pound for pound, muscle takes up a lot less room than fluffy fat, besides it helps to keep you moving instead of bogging you down.

So true

On the same line, when I went into Navy Boot Camp, (many years ago) I'd already prepared myself for the physical requirements by running and swimming for the prior 9mos, going from 165lb to 150. When I finally got to a scale after Boot Camp, I'd actually gained 3 pounds during those 8weeks, but gone down another clothing size. I could hardly believe I had'nt lost weight, because I was so stressed out mentally, I couldn't choke down "chow"!!

I have experienced the same thing. I am so happy I made the decision to do both as I lost weight, diet and exercise. I love what lifting has done for my body. My weight is more than I would like it to be, but the shape of my body is right where I want it to the point where now I feel like I can be picky. I feel like I can achieve the look I am after rather than just settling for what my body decided it wanted to be. It's hard to explain, but exercise has given me confidence like I have never had before.

I SO needed to hear this today! I spent my morning doubting my new gym routine.

Thanks, and also – way to go!

Missgordon you won t regret.

I don't think it's possible for me to maintain any loss without exercise.

thanks for writing this! such a motivator to go to the gym! i love what weight lifting does for the body shape

Exercise has transformed my body to the one I have always dreamed of having. I can't imagine going life without it.