Any chubby women actually become fit?

jillmjackson · 03-27-2009, 08:44 AM

Hi every one!
I'm almost 180lbs, curvy, chubby or however you want to state it... overweight!

I've always worked out but for the past 2 years have just eaten HORRIBLE and gained major weight... I'm looking for motivation but it seems most of the gorgeous women here started out fairly fit or skinny and gained muscle. Are there any women who started out fat or chubby and now look awesome? I have been looking at the "transformation" pages, but big women starting out seems to be a rarity... tell me that it CAN be done?

I'm hoping to post my own transformation photos in July/August. I'm keeping track of my workouts and my diet.... I'll be posting soon. I love this website and can't wait to post before and after photos! (Really can't wait to post a bikini photo!)

Girls! Help!
Prove that my 180lb ass can become a 130lb ass!

StrongWilld · 03-27-2009, 08:58 AM

Last summer, I lost 60 lbs. doing weight lifting, walking and eating properly. I was looking great until the end of the summer when a very stressful stituation happened...I fell off the bandwagon - but I got back on it...fell off it again early January this year - and I've been back on it again. I have 120 pounds to lose. I'm glad I had those stressful times because I've learned from my mistakes. So, I'm here to say that your goals are very attainable! Just stick to your healthy eating plan and if you are ever in doubt, come here and your questions will be answered. I've only found the best of the best on here - people who are very willing to help out anytime they can.

Just remember - it's not how many times you fall - it's how many times you get back up

Best of luck to you!

mrscaz · 03-27-2009, 09:32 AM

do I look stellar, or fabulous....NO, but I can tell you that it is possible. Several years ago I weighed in at 230 lbs, my latest weight post as of yesterday is 135. I lost the majority of my weight a few years ago and did it the wrong way, but it was 80 lbs gone. I then got pregnant and put on about 45 and stayed there for about 5 years. I started slow w/cardio, some group aerobic classes and then eventually sought out a trainer. If someone would have told me then how lifting weights can help burn fat as well as eating clean...man, oh man! Well truth is, she did, I just didn't hear her. I had a goal for my 10 yr highschool reunion and I didn't make it b/c I chose to not listen (b/c I wasn't ready) to what she told me to do which was: cardio, lift and eat CLEAN!!! That is the biggest mistake a lot of people make, not eating clean. follow a good diet and right there in that you will see big and positive changes. Good luck, as anything is possible as long as you are ready to do the work!! =)

vavavoom545 · 03-27-2009, 09:49 AM

it can be done i started at 185 pounds
it just takes time and patience, lots of trials and errors as well.
never get discouraged if its not happening as fast as you taught it would, just keep workin hard it will eventually pay off !!!
good luck

hmotb555 · 03-27-2009, 09:52 AM

Well I have never been fat like really overweight, but I considered myself to be chubby. I started weight training in college and lost a lot of fat but my weight stayed the same. Even now I weigh 5 pounds more than you do but I look pretty ding dang dong good! Most people would think I weigh a whole lot less than I do. I say this to tell you not to worry about the scale...it is just a number....Go more by your measurements and how your clothes fit. I lost 3 inches off my waist since December, but only lost 5lbs...so please do not let the scale gauge your fitness or your progress....Yes you can lose fat, eat right, weight train and your fat will drop....concern yourself with that and not so much with getting to weigh 130lbs because as you build muscle your weight may not change too much but your body will.....Good luck to you!

jillmjackson · 03-27-2009, 10:05 AM

I know all three are really important, but should I focus more on my diet and cardio to burn off this fat and THEN work on weights to build muscle OR should I concentrate on weights first? Or focus on all three equally? I'm looking to do this the right way, but I want to see some results fast... (at least fit into my pants a little better) to keep myself motivated!
Once I lose 10 or so pounds I think I'll be really happy with the results and will start to focus on building muscle.
BTW I hate cardio...

jillmjackson · 03-27-2009, 10:08 AM

You are right! I never would guess you weigh more then me!
You look great, I know 130 is just a number, and I'll be happy once I'm FIRM. Its just easier to say a weight as a goal... plus 130 is my college weight when I was fit, so when I think 130 I think of when i was hot!

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmotb555

Even now I weigh 5 pounds more than you do but I look pretty ding dang dong good! Most people would think I weigh a whole lot less than I do. I say this to tell you not to worry about the scale...it is just a number....Go more by your measurements and how your clothes fit. I lost 3 inches off my waist since December, but only lost 5lbs...so please do not let the scale gauge your fitness or your progress....Yes you can lose fat, eat right, weight train and your fat will drop....concern yourself with that and not so much with getting to weigh 130lbs because as you build muscle your weight may not change too much but your body will.....Good luck to you!

cfaith · 03-27-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillmjackson

I know all three are really important, but should I focus more on my diet and cardio to burn off this fat and THEN work on weights to build muscle OR should I concentrate on weights first? Or focus on all three equally? I'm looking to do this the right way, but I want to see some results fast... (at least fit into my pants a little better) to keep myself motivated!
Once I lose 10 or so pounds I think I'll be really happy with the results and will start to focus on building muscle.
BTW I hate cardio...

Hi fellow Tennessean! Yes, all three are important...but I think diet and lifting are the most critical. Lifting will help you build muscle and since your body needs more energy to store muscle you will end up burning more calories. The right diet will determine 80% of your results. The right kinds of foods are the building blocks for a new physique. Cardio, in my opinion, aside from being a great cardiovascular excercise can be a last resort to losing fat if your lifting and diet are on point. I hate cardio, too so there may be others that disagree.

I am currently doing no cardio besides a soccer game once a week.

lauren921 · 03-27-2009, 10:30 AM

Hey I'm from TN too! I don't look like these ladies because I haven't eaten enough to really put on muscle, but at my highest I weighed 250 and at my lowest I weighed 135. I'm now around 145 which I'm not happy about but working on it

YES - you CAN do this!

Tiffany_P · 03-27-2009, 10:38 AM

I was never overweight per se, but I also was never skinny. I didn't build up from skin and bones. I leaned out from being a bit on the "thick" side (5'8" 165). In some ways, it's easier because you already have the frame and muscle base. You just have to diet down and lift weights to keep the muscle that you have.

sallythatgirl · 03-27-2009, 12:11 PM

I think the biggest problem in weight loss is trying to do it all at once, and then failing and then giving up. I suggest doing one goal a week, say this week walking twice a week for a half hour, then next week another goal: eat veggies with every meal PLUS walk twice a week, next week, lift wts one day PLUS eat veggies at every meal PLUSwalk twice a week. Set mini goals and don't give up! This is a lifestyle change you are after---not a quick fix. Get that word "fast" out of your mind, this is a long journey but it is better in small pieces and buildable....here is me, 4 years ago...180 or so, (I am in the bikini(Why?!?)I think my highest wt was 200 plus...here I am now, yesterday at 131lbs.

jillmjackson · 03-27-2009, 12:18 PM

wow. Thanks everyone! I'm getting a little more excited every time someone responds! I just figured that it would be almost impossible to have a "hot" body... I knew I could lose weight, but you guys all look so great!

erinlee01 · 03-27-2009, 12:50 PM

Not quite 130 lbs, but I started at 177 and am down to 153 and am pretty lean. It can be done, but it takes a lot of hard work and dedication in the gym and in the diet. I went from a size 10 - 12 to a 6 in a little over 6 months.

hmotb555 · 03-27-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillmjackson

You are right! I never would guess you weigh more then me!
You look great, I know 130 is just a number, and I'll be happy once I'm FIRM. Its just easier to say a weight as a goal... plus 130 is my college weight when I was fit, so when I think 130 I think of when i was hot!

Thanks! you so don't have to do cardio...as another poster said, cardio is the last resort! Get diet together first, Weight train, do some high intense interval training...but if you want to just focus on diet and weights that's cool too! This month I haven't done any form of cardio or HIIT and I've just been focusing on my weight training and eating and I am still losing fat and I feel great....so yes building muscle burns fat! You should start a journal I would so love to track your progress with you!

pryncess77 · 03-27-2009, 04:40 PM

I was 255lbs at my maxium weight. I promise, if I can do it, YOU can do it!!! All you need to do is one thing: Believe that you can, and you will!

You can also look at my Bodyspace for recent pictures.
best of luck!

reboot42 · 03-27-2009, 05:06 PM

Hang in there and keep at it-I had just moved into 14s @ 154lbs when I started working out after I quit smoking and had gained weight. I lost alot of weight by just cutting out the crap food and doing a 3 day cardio/2 day lifting routine. There was so much to learn-I just picked up what I could as time allowed. (I'm a working mom of 3).

I eventually got down to 128lbs-I adjusted my exercise to focus more intently on the weight training because I didn't want to lose anymore weight, and I wanted to build more muscle. I now lift 3 days (shoulder/arms, lower body, back and chest) and do cardio 3 days.

I am now @ 140lbs-but it is a slim 140 as I am wearing a size 6. Not bad after giving birth 3 times!! I never thought I would see single digit pant sizes again.

I have to get around to having my husband take some pictures with his digital camera. I look good for my age, and can wear a 2 piece bathing suit now-though I don't look as tight as some of the younger ladies on this site.

Will I ever look like a fitness model? Probably not-but I just had a physical and my Doc said "whatever you are doing-KEEP DOING IT!". My blood tests are fantastic-my blood pressure is 105/60, and my oxygen sat rates are 100%, and I have the lung capacity of a healthy 30yr old. (I have mild-moderate emphysema from smoking and am on advair twice a day.)

It's a gradual process-The more I learn the more I can apply. I eat really clean, my health is fantastic in spite of a serious medical problem, and am still turning heads @ almost 45yrs old.

Oh-and I have some cool muscles now too-I have even gotten a few "ewwww" looks from cardio queens when I am lifting, and have good pump going. LOL. :-)

Keep at it!!! Don't get discouraged-learn all you can. We may not all end up making the cover of muscle and fitness hers-but you will look and feel better than you ever have-not to mention the numerous health benefits.

Eileen · 03-27-2009, 05:12 PM

I spent most of my adult life weighing 250lb. I wasn't wobbly, but I was very very big. I was always fit, and lifted since the first time I saw inside a gym, but it was getting the diet right that made the difference to me. I went from 250lb to 175 (I'm 5'10", so that's right for me). I'm still a mother of three, and I didn't lose 20 years along with the weight, but now I'm a normal size and in excellent shape. I'm never going to get up on a stage in a bikini, but I get a lot of people asking me how to get in shape. It's definitely possible.

KlaarBody · 03-28-2009, 01:44 PM

I am not yet a success story, only a nicely moving work in progress. I started at about 260 + I bet, but I refused to weigh until I worked out a few weeks, so lets go with my first official weight numbers. I started at about 255.5 around Xmas. Now after 3 months I am down about 25 lb, or 8.2 lb a month. My charts go back a lot longer because I tried before, but I refused to do fix my food, so I gave up; the numbers just were not moving well. I was determined to excercise it off and have my "cake" too in that failed attempt... it soooo did not work..but it was a good learning experience.

This time I am incorporating food + exercise and as everyone tried to tell me... its working great!
Thank you for starting this blog, it is great to see there are so many people who have succeeded beyond my wildest dreams.
Some day I hope to become my wildest dream.

girl8 · 03-28-2009, 07:08 PM

oh you can do it!!!!!!!!

me was 230
now 160
still working away

check out progress pics
I was way more curvy in places that didn't need to be curvy if you catch my drift haha@!!

DivaInPink · 03-28-2009, 08:49 PM

I was 215 pounds when I first started my fitness program in March of 2007. By summer of 2008 I was 182 pounds and quite fit since I was weight training. I lost my job that summer and the stress of being out of work and then the changes you go through when you get a new job had me eating so unclean it was stupid. I went from 182 pounds to 199 pounds. Got back focused and started my weight training again in January. I'm 197 pounds but my belt can now buckle three notches tighter and my pants are more loose. So the scale is not the be all end all of how to measure progress.

As long as I'm burning body fat and sculpting my body with weight training I will not get too concerned with the scale. I will be measuring my body fat to keep track of my progress going forward.

Alisa

Changeofideas · 03-30-2009, 07:55 AM

I am glad you posted this! I am in the same boat, I am nowhere near awesome, but I am starting out super chubby. I am 21, 5'7 and weigh a whopping 194 lbs... I blame it on having two kids but in either event, I am noticing a lot of the women on here seem to start out somewhat skinny.

I have a lot of muscle underneath the chub if you look really hard and it is frustrating because I feel like I am adding muscle and fat at the same time. Right now I lift 3x a week and do cardio 3x a week and eat healthy, of course. Although the more I read on this board the more I change how I do things... there is just so much to learn!

I know it can be done - look at how many people on the site have had awesome transformations

lottierose · 03-30-2009, 08:12 AM

i did! check out my profile my heaviest 230 now im 144 the lowest i got was 130 i have my old "fat" picture on there you will get there

BlackBarbieDoll · 03-30-2009, 09:02 AM

I was "thick" at 180lbs...I'm now about 130-125...its so possible. I was broke, a freshman in college...just dedicated, and commited to doing it slowly in a healthy way. If I can support you at all..please let me know...you can do this!!!

sweeth4796 · 04-04-2009, 10:43 AM

I am only 5'3" - 5'4" and tipped the scales at 170 pds at one point.(as of Jan 20 I was 151) I am down to 133 at the moment and still trucking. It takes time and dedication. I totally started in Jan at 151 thinking 12 weeks to accomplish my goal because thats how far people typically start off before competing. What i didnt realize that the people starting 12 weeks out are like 10-15 pds away from their goal...i was more like 30pds! That being said...it IS NOT going to happen in 12 weeks (unless you kill yourself to get there which i dont recommend). That is what i still struggle with ....thinking I should be at my goal already......but DAMNIT dont listen to the bull**** inyour head. Ignore the mirror ignore the scale for the first month and just eat clean EVERY DAY and dont skip a workout..GUARANTEEE you will be pleasantly surprised after that month ..probably the 10 pds your going for.

When I started I promised myself that I would stick to my plan for 1 month...I mean come on 1 month is NOTHING compared to the rest of your life right?! if you cant get past a month of dedication.....than your doomed to failure. So I did...and here 3 months later........I am looking better than ever and not where i would LIKE to be...but if i continue on I will get there...no matter how long it takes....and so will you!

I personally do cardio 30 min a day 4 days a week and weight train 3 days a week. thats all i do. I USED to work out 2 hrs a day 6 days a week with NO results.....scared out of my head if i slowed down i would gain weight. Well i pushed past my fear and you know what......I LOST weight. So dont push the weight loss..it will happen.......you cant force progress you can only aid it. Keep your head up girl and i look forward to following YOUR transformation!

BabyJan3 · 04-04-2009, 10:48 AM

No matter what your starting weight is - it's not always super easy to change your body how you want it. I started out , the very lowest, at 80 lbs.

NASTY. Trust me, it's taken a lot of hard work to get to 105 lbs.

It doesn't matter if youre "skinny" or "over weight". What matters is your motivation to change, and your consistency. What ever you put into it, you'll get the same back in results.

mavrick77 · 04-06-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillmjackson

Hi every one!
I'm almost 180lbs, curvy, chubby or however you want to state it... overweight!

I've always worked out but for the past 2 years have just eaten HORRIBLE and gained major weight... I'm looking for motivation but it seems most of the gorgeous women here started out fairly fit or skinny and gained muscle. Are there any women who started out fat or chubby and now look awesome? I have been looking at the "transformation" pages, but big women starting out seems to be a rarity... tell me that it CAN be done?

I'm hoping to post my own transformation photos in July/August. I'm keeping track of my workouts and my diet.... I'll be posting soon. I love this website and can't wait to post before and after photos! (Really can't wait to post a bikini photo!)

Girls! Help!
Prove that my 180lb ass can become a 130lb ass!

I will be honest, I think your already looking for excuses....so what if there is a girl that has never done it, does that mean give up????????

but it has been done, and it has been done several times...hell my gf ended her bulk at 172, now has a 6 pac........ my best female friend was over 300lbs 5 years ago, she now enters and places in BODYBUILDING (not figure) shows. BUT despite that, do it, have discipline, and dont look for excuses why you CANT

hell I just dropped 42lbs in 12 weeks getting ready for a show... you just have to have discipline and say no to things, and get off your butt when your tired and wanna sleep, and do your cardio.

misslizzard · 04-06-2009, 02:40 PM

i went from 115-180-100-140. trying to cut to 115, that's where i looked my best.

dunkonu9 · 04-06-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillmjackson

I know all three are really important, but should I focus more on my diet and cardio to burn off this fat and THEN work on weights to build muscle OR should I concentrate on weights first? Or focus on all three equally? I'm looking to do this the right way, but I want to see some results fast... (at least fit into my pants a little better) to keep myself motivated!
Once I lose 10 or so pounds I think I'll be really happy with the results and will start to focus on building muscle.
BTW I hate cardio...

I know not a lady but I had gotten pretty large a couple of years ago. I worked out on cardio like crazy and ate pretty good. Once I started lifting hard is when I took the lbs off.

Kate1 · 04-06-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by girl8

oh you can do it!!!!!!!!

me was 230
now 160
still working away

check out progress pics
I was way more curvy in places that didn't need to be curvy if you catch my drift haha@!!

Just went & checked your progress pics! Great job Girlfriend! Keep up the good work!

marykwebb · 04-06-2009, 09:47 PM

I am 5'2". I was 212 at my top pregnancy weight with my first 2 children. I did a little better with #3 and #4. This was all within 6 years. My husband and I were both active duty military at the time (I got out in July) working 12 hour shifts. I was required to lose the baby weight every time by the time my baby was 6 months old. I am now a stay at home mom and homeschooler. My hubby has been TDY the last 7 out of 9 months. My youngest child is 7 months old and when my husband left us when she was 2 weeks old, she had colic, I had to sell our house, and PCS ( permanent change of station) while he was gone. I've always worked out (ever since I tipped the scales at 158 as a 14 year old) and when my baby was 3 weeks old, I went back to the gym and am now 125lbs, 12.8% body fat. If I can do it, YOU CAN! As this was my last baby, I feel that I can really take my passion for fitness to the extreme now. Eating clean and weight lifting has made the most astounding changes in my physique and I will never go back to being a cardio freak. I find a 10 minute warm up on the elliptical, an hour and a half or so of weights, and 30 minutes of post cardio (while drinking my protein supplement-zero carb isopure) have made huge changes. When you start seeing the results, you will love it too. Good luck!