Update: 5 Years from the Beginning

Wow. 5 years ago I started my very first VLCD day (Very Low Calorie Day for the uninitiated). I'm 5 years older, 74lbs lighter (and counting) and absolutely none-the-wiser. Well, I guess that's not true... I've learned a lot about my body, my eating habit and I've learned how differently the world treats big people vs normal sized people.

In the last 5 years I have left a bad relationship, started playing a full-contact sport, started a new relationship, bought a condo, started a new job, gotten a few promotions, made a ridiculous amount of new friends and I've become infinitely more happy.

Let's be honest, you guys are just waiting for more before/after photos:

Not too shabby, I'd say... Let's see a few more!

Now that I am a moderately healthy weight of 145lbs, I am changing up my diet and exercise routine to start focusing on how to cut weight while gaining or maintaining my muscle mass. Literally NEVER thought of any of this when I was fat. It was simply "Stop eating, get skinny." right?

Now it's "Workout, track your calories, track your macros to get correct amount of protein and fat, be wary of carbs, don't stop lifting, build specific muscle for better shape etc. etc. etc."

At the end of the day, this is what I tell every single person who asks me about how I lost weight:

• Calories in vs Calories out. 
• You must create a deficit every week. 
• You cannot out run your fork! 
• You can work out like crazy but if you are still eating more calories than you're burning, you'll never lose weight.
• Diet to look good, hit the gym to look good naked. 
• Weight loss happens in the kitchen, shape happens in the gym.

If you strictly want to lose weight, just focus on food. When you get down to a more reasonable weight, then start hitting the gym! It doesn't have to happen all at once. I didn't start working out until I started playing Roller Derby 3 years ago after losing 45 lbs.

If you guys have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me! Life moves on after weight loss, just make sure you don't lose sight of why you lost it in the first place. Maintenance is more important than getting to eat a cheeseburger and fries again.

Good luck!