50 pounds down today
 

~20 to go. This picture actually shows -45 lbs. I'm 25 years old and graduated with my Bachelor's degree a year ago. I gained A LOT of weight in college. I was working 2-3 jobs and going to school for 10-12 hours a day. I decided to take up running in March 2012 and started on the Couch to 5k program. I "graduated" the program in April 2012 and continued running, working my way up to 6 miles and running an average of 3 1/2-4 miles 5x a week. I am pretty strict with what I eat and watch my calories like a hawk. I lost 45 pounds between March and today. The other 5 were lost back in November 2011 when I went to the gym for a month lol.

Hoping this inspires someone out there. If I can do this, anyone can. No crazy diets, no pills, no surgery, just pure hard work and counting calories. Still need to lose about 20 more.

EDIT:

Added a newer picture that actually shows a 50 pound loss. This is me on Halloween 2011 vs. July 21, 2012. I ran my second 5k after this picture in 32:15

http://i48.tinypic.com/2ajxpb8.jpg

I'm inspired :) Wonderful job!!!

You look great!! Way to go! ;) You have very nice legs, seriously.

Awesome job! Please post what a typical day of food looks like for you.
Thx

This is very inspirational! You look great, congrats!

You look AMAZING!

I'm sure you worked very hard, congrats!

How adorable are you? Congrats!!!

Beautiful! You absolutely deserve it and yes I am inspired!

Way to go!! You are truly an inspiration! I just started running 1 month ago and it has literally changed my life! Thank you for sharing.

Way to go!
 

Wow that's great you look so good! This is my first day on here and this just so happens to be the first thing I clicked on, it gives me so much more hope! Thank you so much congrats! :)

You look fantastic! Keep up the awesome work. I'm sure those last 20 will melt off in no time with a work ethic like that!

Wow, you look amazing and toned! Do you do any exercise besides running?

Thanks everyone!

Orchestrated: I bike occassionally and try to throw in some circuit training for at least an hour total a week. Sadly all I want to do is run and I don't strength train as much as I probably should.

Saggzz: For breakfast I will usually eat either 2 links of precooked turkey sausage or a Special K bar with string cheese.

Lunch is sometimes lean cuisines, salads, and recently I started making my own turkey "lunchables" that are about 200 calories for the serving.

Dinner: I eat lots of different things. Turkey burgers, shrimp tacos, home made whole wheat pizza, Boca burgers, some kind of pasta dish usually once every 2 weeks, taco salad using ground chicken, salads, hot turkey sausage sandwiches, home made calzones using a pita pocket...

I usually have 1-2 meals a week where I eat what I want within reason and don't count calories. It's to the point now where I don't want the food I used to eat and I can't physically eat as much as I used to.

Looking great!!!

First, congratulations on ur weight loss and taking up running! Would you mind telling me how many calories you ate when you started? Did you eat calories back from exercise?

When I very first started it was around 1300-1400 calories. Now I eat about 1100. I know that's a little low but I'm honestly satisfied when I consume that many daily.

No, I do not consume my exercise calories unless I am absolutely starving, but to be honest that doesn't happen often. Running is an appetite suppressant to me.

Way to goo! You look amazzzzzzziiiiiiinnnggggg!!

That is AMAZING!
Kinda personal question you don't have to answer but did you notice any changes in your skin, loose or stretch marks changing? I started with similar stats to you and I'm worrying about my skin >.<
x

Way to go! Congratulations! :carrot::carrot::carrot:

Thanks everyone!

Swissy, no, quite actually the opposite. I had stretch marks on my thighs after I GAINED weight, but they have faded since my thighs shrunk. I have no idea how that is possible. I don't have any stretch marks now or loose skin.

Wow, you look fantastic! Well done! :cheer:

Woweeee!! Amazing progress!! Awesome!!!

You look great! I'm hoping to get to the point where I can run a 5k too, it's such an inspiration to see someone who has made the changes to get to a fitness level where you can run a race! Thanks for sharing your story so far.

Thank you ladies!

CanadianMomma, you can totally do it! Check out Couch to 5k, it's a 9-week program that takes people who do not run to running a 5k. Here's the link:


http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I actually just signed up for my first 10k on Sept 29!