May is always fun, because it marks the anniversary of when I started to change my life.

May is always fun, because it marks the anniversary of when I started to change my life.

My not-a-secret-whatsoever to success: dedication, hard work, tears, good food, bad food, heavy lifting, water, and then some.

My not-a-secret-whatsoever to success: dedication, hard work, tears, good food, bad food, heavy lifting, water, and then some.

Don’t forget the progress you make elsewhere! I always forget about my back; and look how muscular it’s getting! I don’t know how to take good back pictures, I know.

Don’t forget the progress you make elsewhere! I always forget about my back; and look how muscular it’s getting!

I don’t know how to take good back pictures, I know.

Once again, illustrating the importance of sleep. These images were taken about 7 hours (didn’t sleep straight through) apart. It’s not as obvious as the other time I did it (9 straight hours of sleep). Digestion a is a parasympathetic system, which means it is most effective when our bodies are at rest :) So, the “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” quote is retarded in all aspects.

Once again, illustrating the importance of sleep. These images were taken about 7 hours (didn’t sleep straight through) apart.

It’s not as obvious as the other time I did it (9 straight hours of sleep).

Digestion a is a parasympathetic system, which means it is most effective when our bodies are at rest :)

So, the “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” quote is retarded in all aspects.

If I can get from my above body to my current one, YOU SO FUCKING CAN. When I was in 5th grade, I was already 130+ pounds. I was (and still am) blessed with curviness, thickness, and heftiness; so if I can do it…you have no excuse.

If I can get from my above body to my current one, YOU SO FUCKING CAN.

When I was in 5th grade, I was already 130+ pounds. I was (and still am) blessed with curviness, thickness, and heftiness; so if I can do it…you have no excuse.

Left: 12/2012; Right: 7/2012

Back progress! YES! Also, 156.2 today. Totally thought I was gaining back the fat I lost due to not squatting and deadlifting for 3+ weeks because of my knee. AND, it’s going to be shark week this week so plus, plus, plus!

Full size image: http://i.imgur.com/zMoM2.png Progress from May 2011 to November 2012. I learned that progress is not linear. There are many shots where my stomach got “fatter”. But, as long as you are dedicated, persistent, and hard-working, the benefits and satisfaction will always come your way. I learned to eat happier. I make myself eat dessert almost every night, and have sweets almost every day. I learned that I was mentally strong enough to better myself than when I first started. I learned that true happiness is accepting and loving who I am, and what body I was given. I learned to never give up.

Full size image: http://i.imgur.com/zMoM2.png

Progress from May 2011 to November 2012.

I learned that progress is not linear. There are many shots where my stomach got “fatter”. But, as long as you are dedicated, persistent, and hard-working, the benefits and satisfaction will always come your way.

I learned to eat happier. I make myself eat dessert almost every night, and have sweets almost every day.

I learned that I was mentally strong enough to better myself than when I first started.

I learned that true happiness is accepting and loving who I am, and what body I was given.

I learned to never give up.

Left: 11/1; Right: 11/17 (you get the idea :P) One month progress! Look at what a month of good eating (I think I ate an equivalent of 2 pies though…spaced throughout Nov.), water, and exercise. It’s not the same pose, but you get the idea :)

Left: 11/1; Right: 11/17 (you get the idea :P)

One month progress! Look at what a month of good eating (I think I ate an equivalent of 2 pies though…spaced throughout Nov.), water, and exercise. It’s not the same pose, but you get the idea :)

Tell me lifting heavy weights makes a woman bulky and manly…I DARE YOU.

Tell me lifting heavy weights makes a woman bulky and manly…I DARE YOU.

I just realized that there is only a 3-5 pound difference between the before and after shot. 5. :-O

I just realized that there is only a 3-5 pound difference between the before and after shot.

5.

:-O