Update: Madelyn lost 54 pounds through the ups and downs

Update 2017: Madelyn lost 6 more pounds for a total of 60 pounds gone. Check out her recent before and after.

I’ve definitely come a long way and I’m never turning back! #weightlossjourney #weightlossbeforeandafter #weightlosstransformation #weightloss #NoPainNoGain #Healthy #FitGirlMotivation #FitFam #iWorkout #NotAddictedImCommitted #fbf #GirlsWhoLift #fitgirlfollow #fitgirlvarsity #fitgirlsguide #60PoundsDown 💪💖

A post shared by Maddy (@fitgirlmadelyn) on Mar 10, 2017 at 2:31pm PST

Update 2015: We featured Madelyn‘s story of losing 47 pounds back in July 2014 (read that original post for more info). She gained more than 25 of those pounds back due to a number of life challenges, but she didn’t give up. She re-commited to true lifestyle change, lost 35 lbs and is now down a total of 54 pounds. She says, ” I’m telling you to be accountable and to show others that it’s okay if you fall off your wagon. Just get back on.” Check out her story… I’m one of those people who when they gain weight it goes STRAIGHT to their face, arms, and stomach. I wish it would go to my butt and thighs, lol.

I want to be honest… Last year, I went on a weight loss journey and lost 47 pounds. I looked amazing and felt even better! I made the gym apart of my daily routine. My eating habits weren’t the best, but my dedication to the gym made up for it. Then, some life challenges happened. I began dating my amazing boyfriend and put the gym on the back burner. That inevitably showed me that I wasn’t commited to a true lifestyle change to begin with. I gained some of the weight back too.

When I moved to Paraguay in March of 2015 for the Peace Corps, I was seriously disappointed in myself and at how much weight I had gained back. I wanted to blame it on relationship weight, but it was truly my fault. I lost my motivation and dedication to living a healthy and fit lifestyle. It had nothing to do with my relationship status, because you make time for what is important to you.

Now, I have been working out and eating a lot better in Paraguay. It’s a lot easier here since I don’t have fast food anywhere near me and I must prepare all my meals. I don’t have a gym, but I do at home workouts which work just as well. I have weights, a yoga mat, a bicycle, and a huge backyard, so there is no excuse. I weigh 136 pounds now (35 lbs down, 7 pounds difference since July 2014), which is lower than my goal weight last year. However, I don’t really use my scale anymore to determine my health.

I still have a lot of toning to do and I’m focused on eating cleaner. I’m working towards my healthy lifestyle being a permanent change, and not just temporary (i.e. changing until something changes in my life). I don’t want to be someone who goes through yo-yo weight loss, gaining weight over and over again. I have to work on maintaining my success, which to me is the hardest step. I’m telling you this to be accountable and to show others that it’s okay if you fall off your wagon. Just get back on.

No one is perfect and it can be hard to make such drastic changes, but you can do it! I wanted to be honest about this because I know that other people might go through the same weight loss hurdles and feel disappointed in themselves. Remember, today is a new day and we’re all human! Just don’t quit!

Instagram: @FitGirlMadelyn