You are AWESOME!!! You are an inspiration. I have just started my journey and would keep this forum thread as one of my inspirations towards my goal.

After reading your post and looking at the pics, it seems that being fit and health is possible for me too!

All the best, Captain!! :-)

I hope to god i look like you after i meet my goal. It gives me continuing motivation to see what i could also look like one day haha

You have done such a great job.  I can't get over the before and after pics!  You look like a different person!  Good for you for working hard and sticking with it.  I've been on the SF plan since Sept. 1 and have lost 26 pounds.  Now that I am a bit lighter, I am finding it easier to exercise.  I don't really care to be "buff", but I do want to be trim, toned, and healthy.  You have inspired me.  Keep it up!  God Bless -- Hilary

Awesome results! Very inspiring. Congratulations on all of your success!!

edidem2002,

I think what you are doing is great. It's better than not doing anything!
Here's the thing. It's not so much about how long you are exercising, it's about the intensity. Do some research on
the Rate of Percieved Exertion scale, and make sure you are in the training zone.
I think it would be beneficial to try to incorporate at least one endurance day every week. Instead of doing 20 or 30 hardcore minuted on the elliptical, do an hour at a pace you can handle.

JayT, thanks! Now that you're on the wagon, you can get back. Just do it.

Thanks SisterC. I appreciate the encouragement! You are doing pretty awesome too. 72 pounds! Kick butt!

Well.......

Today, I hired a Mixed Martial Arts instructor. I'm going to start meeting with him privately, 3 days a week for the next 3 months.
I'm just know he's going to kick my a$$, but I know it will be worth it. Think Jean Claude Van Damme in Bloodsport. lol.

Wow! You are totally amazing!  I have read your posts for some time now and you are truly an inspiration....thank you so much!!  Keep up the good work; you look great and I am sure that you feel just as great!   Hugs, SisterC

Well Done!!

I was there, then I lost it.  I want to be there again.  Thanks for the pics, that encourages me and let me know it is possible.  thanks JayT

jmc~ you have done so great!! I wish you the best in reaching your next goal!

Looking for anyones opinion, I go to the gym on my lunch hour, so I do 20 min. on the treadmill , intervals of 2 min running at 5.8mph and walking 1 min at 3.8mph, and then 20 min weights. I do this 4 days a week so that means 2 days upper body for weights and 2 days for lower body.

am wondering if this is enough to tone my body, and if so, ideas on how long to see results? am 5'6, 147lbs, eating 1400 cal. per day.. hope this makes sense. have been doing it for a little over a month and not seeing results, but had fallen off the "diet" wagon for that timeframe...

Thanks again guys.
I still have a long way to go.  I met with the fitness manager at my gym last night and he helped me with some numbers.
In order for me to get to my ultimate goals. I need to lose 24 more pounds of fat. After losing 60, that doesn't seem too hard at all.

rkorduner -
I started by walking at the park, and the elliptical. After a month or so, I felt like walking was too slow, so I started trying to run, but that messed up my shins. So, I kept up with the elliptical. Then I bought a bike - which was the best investment I've ever made. EVER. After a while, I tried running again, and my shins had improved dramatically, so I still run a little. Not far. I haven't quite done 10k, and this is only on the treadmill, pavement is still too hard for my shins.
I also swim laps in the pool at the gym, sometimes, I do jump rope. Sometimes, I just do some heavy manual labor (like hauling truck loads of stone for my new garden projects.lol)
I also just quit smoking, not even 3 months ago, after smoking for 15 years. Swimming is the hardest, because I can't hold my breath that long. Although it is improving.

I think the MOST important thing is to start weight training now. Don't wait. Cardio is great to burn calories - but it really only burns it while you're doing it. Increasing your lean muscle mass, will burn calories  ALL day and night. I started lifting weight the same day I started cardio.
I think it has made an unbelievable difference in how I feel and how I look, and how clothes fit on me.
I started on the machines, because I was too embarassed to go into the free weight area with all the muscle jocks, then even when I got over myself, it was just a habit, so I still haven't really started with free weights.
Which is another reason I met with the fitness manager last night - he was great about teaching me proper form and effective movements etc.
So today I start training with the muscle dudes. lol.

Just make it fun! If you can, get a bike. I went for a ride with a friend yesterday who just started riding, and I took him through some of the million dollar neighborhoods and most historic parts of town. Before he even realized it, we had gone over 20 miles, tackled some killer hills, and burned close to 1800 calories (according to my heart rate monitor)

How long have I been working out for? My before picture was taken on May 16th of this year. I started seeing results on the scale in the first week.
Then I also took my measurements every week. And I saw changes every week. You can lose a few pounds and an inch here and there, and not really see it in the mirror. But when you are writing it down, you still feel like you're winning.
After about 4 months or so, I started having to by some new clothes, because I just couldn't keep the old ones from falling off. Now those clothes don't fit.
Big disclaimer here though - I've had lots of time. I don't have a problem spending over 2 hours at the gym. Or half a day on the bike, and that's progressed as I've gotten fitter. Yesterday, I rode the bike for 3 hours, and then went to the gym last night for another couple.
I don't want to tell anyone that they can reach their goal in 4 or 5 months because I did. The difference is, I work at home and have no kids. I don't have to worry about other people's meals. My food is all premade in my frig for the next week (except for the fresh veggies I get every day)

But, if you hit the gym 6 days a week and do at least 30 minutes of cardio, and weights every other visit. AND you monitor your intensity and make sure you are always working out effectively you will improve your fitness.
Dropping the weight is easy. Stick to your meal plan. 3500 calories is one pound. Cut back your food intake by 500 calories a day, and burn another 500 through exercise - and you'll consistently lose 2 pounds a week. No if's, and's, or but's about it.
If you cheat. Not too big of a deal. Burn it off the next day. - You'll soon stop cheating. If you really know you're going to want to cheat. Earn it. Burn it before, so you can cheat and feel no guilt. lol.

Jeez. Long winded again. lol. As you can tell. I'm really passionate about my health now. :)

This is fantastic! You should be very proud of your accomplishments. You've given very good advice to the other members. I have been a SF member since Jan of 08. I have been on maintenance for quite some time now, well over a year. I don't miss the fast foods, but sweets are always going to be a challenge for this old girl. I stop at a gas station close to home and buy a cookie once a week. That takes care of the craving for me. I know I can have the things I love, in moderation, so look forward to my cookie stop each week. Best wishes to you and all the other members here at SF. Keep up the great work!....PAnn