32F 5'4" SW:195 CW:145 GW:145 (NEW GW130) Pics included

Well there you have it, I hit my goal weight! In just shy of 21 weeks I have lost 50lbs! I started this journey to simply lose weight and be healthier for my kids after having 3 sons in 18 months, but I have gained so much more from it that I ever could have imagined. I am not quite where I'd like to be yet, but I am feeling very accomplished about how far I have come. I feel good in my own skin, I feel more confident, I feel stronger, I feel healthier, I feel like a better mom, I sleep better, and the list goes on and on.

I feel like I have found a new passion in nutrition and fitness, and I am more motivated than I have been in a long time.

I am a little bit over a year from having twins, and while I still have work to do I feel a heck of a lot better than I maybe ever have. I still have some "problem areas" but it will come in time.

Routine:

Mainly I do a mix of weight lifting and cardio. I was going to the gym about 5-6 times per week for 1.5 hours each day. For example I'd do back and chest, then legs, then arms and shoulders, and then core and bum and then at least 30 minutes of either running or the adaptive motion machine (like an elliptical). I usually do 2 exercises back to back and then rest 1 minute for 3 rounds and I do 3 sets of 2 exercises Recently I started adding in workout classes (mainly because the child care is included with my membership) so I'll take my boys do a solid hour class and call it a day, or if I am feeling extra energetic I'll add in a run later.

Now that I have gone back to work, I am working out about 3-4 times a week, doing the same routines as before or classes. Edit to answer a question someone asked me: I have gone from a size 16 to a size 8 and I have lost 25.64% of my total body weight.

Nutrition: This is what makes the difference for me. I have been pretty strict in maintaining a 1300-1500 calorie diet full of whole nutritious foods. I eat lots of fruits, lots of veg, lots of eggs, lots of lentils, shakes and very little red meat. I cannot nor will I give up my toast in the morning, but I have given up all added sugar and processed snacks/meals. I have pretty much given up alcohol unless its a special occasion or I plan for a social setting in which case (aside from my birthday) I really try and limit myself to a pre determined amount and I always eat before I got out. I don't eat out and drink out, always one or the other. Don't get me wrong, I have a cheat meal each week, but I typically stick to having vietnamese food or a pita wrap or something. I find that one big thing for me has been finding ways to enjoy my food and taking time to really enjoy the meal I am eat, and understanding that nourishing my body is showing myself respect and teaching my kids to make good choices. So without further adieu. Here is my progress Photo

As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask, I am an open book and I'd love to help people in any way I can on their journey. This is tough stuff, and hard work pays off, but it's the best work i have done on me in a very long time!