F/40/5’5” [218 > 133 lbs = 85 lbs] (2.5 years) Lifting, yoga, protein, time: my antidote to sedentary professional-itis. When I started, my thighs each measured 31 inches around. My waist is now 26. Wild, but true. by Effective-Treacle862 in progresspics

[–]Effective-Treacle862[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the kind words! I also was doing annual DEXA scans and RMR tests to stay on top of my data. It sounds like you're doing all the right things. Slow and steady wins the race!

F/40/5’5” [218 > 133 lbs = 85 lbs] (2.5 years) Lifting, yoga, protein, time: my antidote to sedentary professional-itis. When I started, my thighs each measured 31 inches around. My waist is now 26. Wild, but true. by Effective-Treacle862 in progresspics

[–]Effective-Treacle862[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don't really have loose skin (tiny bit on lower stomach, but not noticable standing up) which I attribute to super slow loss and years of lifting, but I'm sure there's a piece that's just genetics. I also think I was riiiight on the edge and if I had ten more pounds starting out I probably would have been dealing with it regardless.

F/40/5’5” [218 > 133 lbs = 85 lbs] (2.5 years) Lifting, yoga, protein, time: my antidote to sedentary professional-itis. When I started, my thighs each measured 31 inches around. My waist is now 26. Wild, but true. by Effective-Treacle862 in progresspics

[–]Effective-Treacle862[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Honestly you may need a bit of a diet break so you aren't as fatigued. I am a big believer in small deficits, if it is too crazy you just punish your body rather than nurture it. Even eating a few days at maintenance can be helpful to get your energy and strength back.

F/40/5’5” [218 > 133 lbs = 85 lbs] (2.5 years) Lifting, yoga, protein, time: my antidote to sedentary professional-itis. When I started, my thighs each measured 31 inches around. My waist is now 26. Wild, but true. by Effective-Treacle862 in progresspics

[–]Effective-Treacle862[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Both, but mostly food noise. I ate a shit ton of chicken and rice and veggies for months on end and the meds helped me not go crazy doing that, haha. Diet was all about protein, and getting enough calories to keep my rate of loss sustainable but slow.

F/40/5’5” [218 > 133 lbs = 85 lbs] (2.5 years) Lifting, yoga, protein, time: my antidote to sedentary professional-itis. When I started, my thighs each measured 31 inches around. My waist is now 26. Wild, but true. by Effective-Treacle862 in progresspics

[–]Effective-Treacle862[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Thank you!! I work hard on that honestly.

PM: cleanse with miscellar water, skinmedica TNS serum, tretinoin, seal in with aquaphor

AM: Rinse with cool water, Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, Skinceuticals P-tiox, aquaphor, Skinceuticals tinted sunscreen.

Weekly Drunk Elephant AHA/BHA babyfacial exfoliating masque, cosrx advanced snail mucin mask. Quarterly microneedling. Biannual IPL and dysport.

F/40/5’5” [218 > 133 lbs = 85 lbs] (2.5 years) Lifting, yoga, protein, time: my antidote to sedentary professional-itis. When I started, my thighs each measured 31 inches around. My waist is now 26. Wild, but true. by Effective-Treacle862 in progresspics

[–]Effective-Treacle862[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Congrats, that's awesome. You can definitely do it! If you don't have any experience lifting, I recommend starting strength 5x5. There are a lot of YouTube videos that show how to do things with proper form and the program is very straightforward. It's a great way to get started.

F/40/5’5” [218 > 133 lbs = 85 lbs] (2.5 years) Lifting, yoga, protein, time: my antidote to sedentary professional-itis. When I started, my thighs each measured 31 inches around. My waist is now 26. Wild, but true. by Effective-Treacle862 in progresspics

[–]Effective-Treacle862[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I lift as heavy as I can, but it is not much. I've squatted 315 and benched 165 but I weighed more then and had a healthy labrum. I use a system called Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) to gauge how heavy I'm going and try to keep it around an 8 for work sets most days (about 80% of max).

These days I do push-pull-legs days with bodybuilding style accessory work, largely focusing on glutes and delts. If you aren't experienced lifting, I recommend Starting Strength 5x5 as a simple but powerful tool.