Returning...try, try again!

donnar64
donnar64 Posts: 3 Member
edited November 28 in Introduce Yourself
I'm excited to be back using MFP, feeling positive and motivated this time around :) . Sustainable weight loss is my goal, with about 100 lbs to lose, planning to take it 10 lbs at a time. I'd be grateful for support here along the way. I'm especially curious about those who have lost significant weight in healthy way and maintained it for a year or more--what helped/helps you the most?

Replies

  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    edited October 2018
    A smart question that not many people ask. I lost around 50 pounds, have kept it off for almost four years, and some helpful strategies was actually to stop trying, and start doing, stop relying on motivation and other people, lose some of the excitement, and realize that this is for life, real life with its ups and downs but mostly extremely un-spectacular days.
  • try2again
    try2again Posts: 3,562 Member
    I started with 100 lbs to lose about 8 years ago, took off about 75 over a 5 year period, and basically maintained until recently (I have struggles with depression that have gotten the best of me lately). What I think was the most helpful was the sheer habit of consistently logging. Being forced to be aware, whether I was in a deficit or not at the time, of exactly how much I was eating really helped me to meet my goals and reign it in if things were getting out of hand. It's only when I stop logging that I pretend not to see that extra helping or try to minimize how much I'm eating. And once logging becomes a habit, you don't give it any more thought or time than brushing your teeth.
  • donnar64
    donnar64 Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks kommodevaran and Try2again...super helpful thoughts that I can see much wisdom in. I'm glad and grateful I don't have to reinvent the wheel-there are great tools and support here on MFP and elsewhere. I've been a bit too shy to participate in the community in the past, so your responses were not only helpful but welcoming and encouraging. It's humbling to see how far others have come when I feel like I have so far to go, and I know the best thing I can do is learn from others who are further ahead on the path. Congrats on your success too.
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