How long did it take you guys?

AnnayKaleem1653

Hey! To all those people who have lost weight with MFP, how much weight did you lose weekly? Did you exercise initially? Did you set goals for yourself? Were there times when you got frustrated with calorie counting but had to continue? Comment down below because I'd really like to hear how things went for everyone, and I don't mind detailed comments so don't hesitate!
Thankss.

seashellybob

From an in-progress success story, I have lost a little over a pound a week when eating in a calorie deficit to do so. I exorcise sporadically and am not currently doing any sort of exercise beyond living in a three story house.

Around Christmastime, I was feeling hungry on the strict calorie deficit and so knowing I was going into a season of important family eating, I ate at maintenance calories for two weeks. Then slowly went to a half-pound a week loss calorie goal and now back to a pound a week loss calorie goal.

My goal I initially set was to lose to a certain amount of weight, 175 (starting weight 237). I wanted to lose weight with my wedding looming. I started July 2017 and am getting married April 2018. I didn't set my goal to lose that weight by a certain date or by the wedding. I just wanted to look great for the wedding and lose some weight between now and then. I also didnt want to set the goal of just looking good by the wedding because I want to continue this healthy journey beyond then.

quiksylver296

AnnayKaleem1653 wrote: »

Hey! To all those people who have lost weight with MFP, how much weight did you lose weekly? It varied. Water weight plays too big a factor for my weight loss to be a steady downward trend.

Did you exercise initially? Yes. Strength training. Prior to that I was running.
Did you set goals for yourself? Yes. To compete in powerlifting.
Were there times when you got frustrated with calorie counting but had to continue? Yes. When I tried not counting calories, I gained.
Comment down below because I'd really like to hear how things went for everyone, and I don't mind detailed comments so don't hesitate!
Thankss.

sijomial

Hey! To all those people who have lost weight with MFP, how much weight did you lose weekly?
1lb / week initially to get to my original goal weight. Even slower to fine tune my maintenance weight. I wasn't in a rush.

Did you exercise initially?
Yes lots, cardio and strength training. But I also exercised when I was fat. Main weight loss benefit from exercise was that I could eat a reasonable amount of food while still maintaining an appropriate calorie deficit. My exercise has only increased despite being at maintenance for years - I enjoy it and the results it gives me.

Did you set goals for yourself?
Yes lots, mostly fitness and strength based. I thrive on goals.

Were there times when you got frustrated with calorie counting but had to continue?
I get bored and frustrated by everyday calorie restriction so I picked an eating pattern that involved two days a week with big deficits and five days with no deficit which suited me.

JennJ323

To all those people who have lost weight with MFP, how much weight did you lose weekly?
It varied, but typically it was between 1-2lb per week.

Did you exercise initially?
Not til about 5 months in, and even then I ONLY walked.. that's all I've ever done.

Did you set goals for yourself?
Just an end goal.. I reached it 10 months into my journey.

Were there times when you got frustrated with calorie counting but had to continue?
Not really.. I wasn't super strict, I let myself go out with friends & not worry about the calories, enjoyed holidays & parties & vacations. It never really affected my weight loss. I would just continue on the next day.

cwolfman13

AnnayKaleem1653 wrote: »

Hey! To all those people who have lost weight with MFP, how much weight did you lose weekly? Did you exercise initially? Did you set goals for yourself? Were there times when you got frustrated with calorie counting but had to continue? Comment down below because I'd really like to hear how things went for everyone, and I don't mind detailed comments so don't hesitate!
Thankss.

1) About nine months to lose 40 Lbs...week to week was variable.
2) Initially I walked mostly. After a month or so I started a C25K program. A couple months later I added weight training. I've been in maintenance for almost 5 years and I exercise regularly...mostly cycling and lifting.
3) Yes, but not really weight related...blood work related and fitness related more than anything.
4) Calorie counting was a learning/teaching tool...I never got frustrated, but it did get to a point for a little while where I was overly obsessed and it started taking over my life. I realized eventually that I had learned enough to know what I need to be doing and that I didn't need to be so obsessed with things...I haven't counted calories in years.

apullum

How much weight did you lose weekly? I averaged a little under a pound per week over my entire weight loss. I lost far more rapidly in the beginning and slowed down to a crawl as I got closer to my goal, though, so I don't think that pace is a good reflection of how it actually happened.
Did you exercise initially? I was doing very light and haphazard exercise before committing to losing weight. I'd completed C25K a few years earlier, injured my knee, and let that scare me out of running again for another year. I also played quidditch (though we weren't very athletic) and I had taken yoga and pilates classes. However, I did not have anything like the level of fitness I wanted to have--in fact, I was not very fit at all. When I started MFP, I also got serious about running again. Running is now my primary exercise.
Did you set goals for yourself? My big goal was always to lose 100 pounds. It was a nice round number that would also put me in the middle of my optimal BMI range. Mini-goals were 10 pound increments: getting to 210, then 200, etc. I also had running goals. I wanted to run a 10K, and then a half marathon. I've accomplished all of those things (and am currently looking for my fifth half marathon). Edit: I also wanted to not need any more medication. I was on prescriptions for high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and insulin resistance. I stopped needing all of those after I'd lost about 50 pounds.
Were there times when you got frustrated with calorie counting but had to continue? I'm not sure that I got frustrated per se, since I really like data. It was frustrating for my husband because I no longer wanted to go out for high-calorie food very often. I couldn't just have pizza on the spur of the moment because I wouldn't have enough calories for something like that unless I'd planned for it in advance. We had to compromise on things like planning meals out in advance, having higher-calorie meals on my running days, and limiting the number of times per week that we went to restaurants.

sksk1026

1 I lost about 10 kilos in just over 3 months. I lost more than a kilo a week when I counted calories. I plateaued when I ate more than I should! I switched to maintenance mode over Xmas and the new year but am starting back on reduced calories this week.
2 I walk most days. Initially I would do it to earn calories for snacks but now I enjoy it. I added Nordic walking sticks to get more of an upper body workout. I walk for 30 to 60 minutes and often listen to podcasts.
3 I set a goal initially to drop my bmi from obese to overweight. That was about 10kg of required weightloss. My next goal is smaller - about 3kg - which I hope to lose in a month. Then I'll set another 3kg mini-goal etc until I reach goal.
4 I struggled to stick to my diet for months. It was so hard in the early days and i felt so desperate. I watched an obesity documentary on YouTube every day for at least the first month, to remind myself of where I was heading if I didn't do something about my weight. I kept making adjustments to make it all easier: slow cooker meals so I could eat the same low cal meals repeatedly, yummy recipes, saving calories for snacks I craved, doing high fat low carb to help with cravings, finding snacks that would satisfy me. I even researched what fast food i could fit into my plan. I don't find it hard to stick to my diet anymore. I'm now trying intermittent fasting (16:8 schedule) so I have more calories left at night because I like to snack in the evenings. I've realised that I have to make my plan fit me, not the other way around. I'm in smaller jeans and they're even a little baggy now. I've still got a way to go but I finally believe I can do this.

carasnewlife

1 - in the beginning I lost about 2-3 lbs in a week, but I had a lot to lose. Now I'm losing 1-2 lbs in a week. In 4 months I have lost 50 lbs (cw 220 lbs, sw in September 2017 270 lbs)
2 - at first I tried to walk more (thank god for my dog), then I tried pilates (in October) and fell in love with it
3 - I do have a goal weight, but this time I'm trying to think about this more as a lifestyle change and less as reaching a specific goal. So weightloss and smaller clothes are like bonuses and not something to achieve.
4 - I finally realized that I dont have to. I want to. Sure there have been tough moments, but I try to keep in mind my reasons for changing my life. If I want to eat more - I am more active. If a situation is causing stress (which in my case leads to overeating) - I leave.

rheddmobile

Down 113 lbs from starting 272. I lost the first twenty five pounds in one month due to severe illness and undiagnosed diabetes. I don't recommend that as a diet.

Following my diabetes diagnosis, surgery for an ovarian tumor, and controlled weight loss, I lost about 10 lbs a month until I reached overweight BMI, then about seven lbs a month until normal weight, and about 4 lbs a month after reaching normal weight. Presently eating at maintenance more or less and coasting to a stop.

The max I lost when first starting out was about 3.5 lbs a week. I wasn't trying to lose at this rate, I was just exercising for the first time in years and cutting out so much junk I was used to having that the weight just fell off for a while. It did not make me feel well so I upped my calories until my rate slowed to 2 lbs / week.

My initial goal was simply not to be obese. I reached it in six months, then set a new goal of normal weight which took me a few more months. The whole 113 lbs took a little more than a year.

I started out exercising as much as I was able, since it's crucial for improving insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. At first I was barely able to walk around the block, and could only pedal very slowly for ten minutes on my stationary bike. My strength training was water bottles and bodyweight squats and wall push-ups. I increased what I did as I became more fit. I can currently run 5 miles, squat my body weight, and do 20 toe push-ups in a row. Still can't do a pull up, but it's on my goal list. And my A1c is now within normal range, although I still can't tolerate carbs well.

I never really got sick of counting calories. Because of my diabetes, many of the foods that used to give me trouble are basically off limits except in small portions - I can only manage one thin crust slice of pizza before my glucose spikes, for example, so why bother - and eating more nutrient dense food keeps me from being hungry. What I do get sick of is exercising. I hate it, and it really really helps with the blood sugar. The day after heavy lifting I have good readings all day and can even eat pasta with no problems. After a run I can eat French fries without my glucose spiking. It's worth it. But I still hate almost everything about exercising, and I miss having free time, and I hate that I will be diabetic for the rest of my life and never ever get a break from needing to pay attention to my food and exercise.

Seriously, if you are obese and not diabetic, get thin while you can. Being diabetic sucks and obesity is a major risk factor.

dramaqueen45

I lost an average of 5 pounds a month- probably a little more the first month because the first week I lost more water weight. I did exercise but not excessively at first. I started lifting weights 3x a week a few months into my weight loss. My goal was to lose 55 pounds and it took me about a year and a half to do it. I did get frustrated at times. I also hit plateaus a few times as well and had to do different things to break them- adding intensity to exercise, adding intervals to exercise, and finally not eating back any of my exercise calories to lose those last 5 pounds. I wish I could say I have maintained but since meeting my goal in spring 2016 I have gained a bit back. It's very hard to maintain- harder than losing because you don't want to keep losing so you try to eat a bit more, and you don't want to gain - and you don't have that emotional high you get from losing a little week to week. So I'm back onto seriously logging in order to lose the 12 pounds I have put back on since then due to holiday eating, etc. The key is to not ignore the fact that your clothes are getting tighter and get back on it when you do gain a bit. My goal is to stay within a 5 pound range.

Probably the most life changing thing I've done is to invest in a recumbent trike. My husband and I both ride 3-4 times a week on rail trails because it is a safe, fun way to exercise and much more fun than working out at the gym. The other thing is that with the advent of smart phones and Netflix, the gym experience is much more enjoyable as I can put on a show and lose myself in it while I pedal away on the days it's too cold to ride outdoors.

shakenbake57

@dramaqueen45 "The key is to not ignore the fact that your clothes are getting tighter and get back on it when you do gain a bit." Spoke to me. You are spot on! I'm learning not to wait for a specific # on the scale to push me into action, but being aware of the little changes a few pounds can make.

vingogly

I started several years ago. I started at 257 lbs and wanted to get back down to 180ish. I exercised and hired a personal trainer for a year or two and got down to maybe 220. Then I went on maintenance for a year and a half or so and maintained my weight, mostly. Some months ago I decided to start losing again - I put about 10 lbs back on again because I wasn't watching the scale - it doesn't take much of a calorie excess to start putting weight on slowly as the months go by. This tells me I have to watch the scale and reduce my intake if it starts going up again.- at present I'm around 197. My goal is still around 180ish, but it gets a lot slower when you have less to lose. I want to get back in the gym again for strength training and to help burn more calories.

I strongly believe setting date goals (X pounds by such and such a date) is pointless, and can be counterproductive. Having kept the weight off is a huge positive since it showed me I could succeed in maintenance - which is where I always got into trouble before. What I've learned over the decades is: diets don't work in the long haul, you have to decide to make a permanent change to a healthy lifestyle to make any changes permanent. Success has more to do with psychology than with "metabolism".

tlsb2016

AnnayKaleem1653 wrote: »

Hey! To all those people who have lost weight with MFP, how much weight did you lose weekly? Did you exercise initially? Did you set goals for yourself? Were there times when you got frustrated with calorie counting but had to continue? Comment down below because I'd really like to hear how things went for everyone, and I don't mind detailed comments so don't hesitate!
Thankss.

MFP was the game changer for me. For the first time in a life as a serial starter, I’ve kept to the plan for a full year (+ 6 days now!) and have lost the most I ever have. Here’s what worked for me:

1. Rate of weight loss - I started 1/1/17 and by year’s end has lost just shy of 50 lbs. My initial goal was 40 lbs and I had hope to lose that over the course of a year, so every pound beyond that was a bonus. So my average was just shy of 1 lb/week. Like others have said, I lost weight faster in the beginning- 11 lbs in the first month. Definitely slowed down after that and had moments of plateaus and eventually wooshes. I only weigh in once a week - Sunday mornings - to keep from getting obsessed by the scale. Beginning with the US Thanksgiving to year end, my goal was to enjoy the holidays but not gain more than 3ish pounds since I tended to gain 5-7 during the holidays. I finished the year having gained no weight during the holidays (nor did I lose) so I was quite happy.

2. Exercise - my initial exercise plan was to hit at least 10,000 steps walking per day. It was harder than I realized, especially with a desk job! This worked great for the first several months - I’d do long walks whenever I could and found it helped greatly with my mood as well as the weight loss. I had linked the iPhone steps tracker with my MFP app sothe steps tracked automatically and gave me exercise points. You’ll see that the number of calories burned awarded for walking decreases as you lose weight, so i eventually realized that walking wasn’t enough. Plus, at a lower weight, my body stared craving more movement and intensity (who knew?). So July/August, I went back to the gym, focused solely on cardio (treadmill and elliptical). Love the calorie boost and how it made me feel! For 2018, I’ve just started strength training with a trainer. This is brand new for me, so will see how it goes!

4. Setting goals - yes, I set two initial goals: 40 pounds lost AND sticking to the plan for 1 year. No matter what happened, I had to track every single day. It helps that MFP gives you congrats messages for major progress! Like others, I also broke the big weight goal into mini goals - moving into a new “decade” (ex, getting below 200, then below 190, etc). I also didn’t look beyond the initial 40 pounds, figuring I’d decide what to do next once I got there (maintain? Lose more?). I thought a lot about this over the holidays, and decided to move forward with these goals: 30 pounds loss, strength training (signed up for 13 sessions), average of 1/2 pound per week and hitting 730 days (2 years) of consecutive logging. It’s more of a habit now.

5. Frustration with calorie counting? Oh yes! Especially when I thought I had worked hard during a given week and the durned scale didn’t move the right way! But I kept going. What helped a lot was these discussions. I’d read about other people’s experiences and frustrations, and realize that I wasn’t alone. So I’d make the decision to keep going. Also, the process of logging actually made it feel like progress (hey! I logged today!) so it helped to have the goal of 365 days of consecutive logging. So have some non-weight loss goals so you have some NSV (nonscale victories) even when the scale isn’t moving.

I also paid attention to what was happening in my head. When did I feel like binging? Did my body/metabolism act differently in colder seasons vs the summer (yes! I’m craving carbs and sugar now in the short days of winter when I could do without them in the summer).

Finally, I surrounded myself with positive images of people of all sizes, ethnicities doing things in the great outdoors, since nature soothes me. My Instagram is filled with images from #UnlikelyHikers, #OutdoorJournalTour, #NatGeo and others (including cats, because I like cats). Instagram has become the positive place I go to when I'm feeling low.

Hope this helps!

TeamNemesisSteve

I have lost 54 total pounds in one year (36 with MFP). It was very slow coming off with trying to cut back on eating and choosing better options but the second Half of the year was more revealing as I kicked the exercises up quite a bit. I’m now down to the weight I weighed at 18yrs old. 185 pounds. I’m in the best physical condition of my life. MFP has helped me tremendously because of like minded people with the same goals.

ceiswyn

I’ve lost 192 lb so far; it’s taken me about 15 months. The rate has varied from 3 or 4 lb initially to 1 or 2 lb at the moment; my body just can’t sustain the rate of loss it used to when it was much bigger.

I was only able to do limited exercise initially, but as I got lighter I’ve been adding it in and ramping it up. For me that’s mostly about wanting to improve my fitness and look more toned, though, rather than giving me extra calories to eat back. I only rarely get tired of calorie counting, now it’s mostly just habit. I have the odd day of loose logging when I go out to a party or something, but I still estimate so I can stay roughly within my goals. It’s not as if I’m depriving myself of anything; I ate a lot of chocolate and lebkuchen over Christmas, I just had to eat less of other stuff to make room.

147Me

How much weight did you lose weekly?

It varied, a lot.
But, this was about life-long change for me, therefore I wasn't as concerned about speedy results I could see from week to week.

For the first 5 months, I lost about 10lbs a month... so, about 2lbs per week.
Then it took me another year to lose 20lbs more, with lots of fluctuations along the way.
After that, it took me another 8 months to lose an additional 25lbs.


Did you exercise initially?

Definitely not!
I have psoriatic arthritis and exercise (of any kind, including no-impact exercise) would inflame and damage my joints.

The only physical activity I could realistically do (until I had lost around 70-ish pounds) was stretching... The kind of stretching where you hold each position for about 8-10 minutes.

Now that I am down just over 90lbs, I walk most days for 60-90 minutes. (Not all at once though!).

Did you set goals for yourself?

My first goal was to get to the weight I am now by maintaining daily caloric goals. I knew I would feel so much better (physically) once I had, and I did.

My next major goal is to lose a bit more weight and slowly start building up my cardiovascular endurance. I am already fairly muscular, so I'll be aiming to maintain that.

Were there times when you got frustrated with calorie counting but had to continue?

In the beginning it was very difficult (first 3 months).
I had trouble believing that I could do it and that my effort would be worth it.

It's a lot different when you have 100+ lbs to lose: It's nothing like losing 20lbs or 50lbs simply because losing 100+ takes more than a few months of stellar diet and exercise to achieve it.

For me, it required a complete attitude change...
and enduring patience towards myself...
combined with lasting determination to always stay committed to those original goals.
It's a years-long process, so the commitment had to be there for me to succeed.

And, there have been periods when it took everything I had just to maintain what I had already lost.

Yes, there are times when calorie counting is a serious pain in the behind. But... it works!

JillianRumrill

Hey! To all those people who have lost weight with MFP, how much weight did you lose weekly?
I've been losing about 1.5-3 lbs a week, my calories are set to 1200. I originally started my weight loss journey a few years ago at 250lbs, lost 40 without counting calories (LOTS of exercise and cut soda cold turkey), but the weight started to creep back up again. Discovered MFP in October 2017 at 235lbs, so far lost 25lbs and STILL losing- even faster when I initially started on my own!

Did you exercise initially?
When I started MFP I exercised somewhat- only at first to get extra calories so I could eat more, then didn't exercise for a while, now going back to doing it for my own mental/emotional health.

Did you set goals for yourself?
not really at first, wanted to see if CICO even worked, (it DOES btw) now I'm setting mini-goals because I know I can accomplish them

Were there times when you got frustrated with calorie counting but had to continue?
at first because I set the bar too low, but then I got into a groove and now it's not so hard to meet or be under my daily requirement. I also don't have the irrational fear that one day I'll wake up and be 250lbs again. Even if my weight fluctuates, I know overall it's on a steady decline.