Other than my weight gain after pregnancy, I’ve never had a major weight problem.  Most of the time I was careful to eat very little, and stay active doing some type of cardio.  Usually riding a stationary bike or walking.

In May of 2011 at 5’7″ And weighing 141lbs, I wanted to lose about 8lbs.  My body wasn’t looking like I wanted it to.  I thought losing more weight was the answer.  Wow, was I wrong.  I joined a calorie counting website:  ate 1400  calories, did cardio everyday, went to bed hungry and…yes, I quickly met my goal of 133lbs!  But whenever I would eat over 1400 calories I gained weight!  So, for almost a year I ate 1300-1400 plus LOTS  of cardio!  And my body still didn’t look like I imagined it would.  Another crazy thing is, that during that year I fired my hair dresser because my hair was failing out and I thought it was her fault!   I now know it was my under eating and poor nutrition that caused it to fall out!

But I was skinny.  Yes,  skinny…with no booty and thinning hair!

On about March of 2012, I befriended an angel named Lucia!  She told me about “Eat More to Weigh Less,” lifting heavy weights, eating TDEE, and macros (protein, fat and carbohydrates) —  all these things I had never heard before.  (Although…she already had my attention  at “eat more to weigh less!”).  She sent me an invite to the (then) newly founded EM2WL group on MFP.   I upped my calories to 1700 over time, then to 1850.  I set my macros to 40% carbs, 30 % protein, and 30% fat.   Eating 300-450 calories more a day!  I was like WOW!!  At first it was hard.  I started by having an extra protein shake for a snack, or eating one ounce of nuts.  Then, I think around a month or two later, I met another rambling angel — Kiki!  She led me to Cathe Friedrich strength training workouts.  My first DVD purchased was Muscle Max.  I dusted off my son’s weight bench, bought some 10lb dumbbells, then 15lbs, then 20lbs,  a barbell, and now I have my own weight room!   In October 2012 I joined the Catheletes and did STS total body strength training 3 month workout.  I did deadlifts, squats and bench presses, oh my!!  I was in love with weight lifting!!  And now STS is an annual October 3 month session for me.   Yes, the scale did go up, but over time the tape measure went down and down!  I now can enjoy healthy meals and not feel deprived.

I am lifting weights and building the body I used to dream of having in my 20s and 30s — NOW at the age of 49!

I work out 2-4 days a week, lifting weights or doing HIIT, depending on my schedule.  I’m eating more, and still wearing a size four!  But more importantly, I gained strength and confidence in myself.   Now, I wear my hair short because I want to, and I have a booty!    The scale no longer defines me.  I didn’t have to starve to reach my goal, and I don’t have to starve to maintain it.  And neither do you!

Thank you EM2WL!  I’m so proud to be apart of this family!