❓❓❓How have I maintained my 110 lb weight loss over 5 years? ❓❓

Dianedoessmiles1

From 288 lbs to 178 lbs for over 5 years!! I do go up and down within a general 7 lb range, but how did I lose in the first place? Was it EASY?

NO WAY was it easy. At that time, I couldn't walk much, but I could still lose!! I am not a healthy eater (Way better than I was though!) and I flatly refused to make any drastic changes I could not maintain for life. Yes, I was looking for a lifestyle I could be truly successful with. I had tried some crazy things before that, and they never lasted. Instead, I put on more weight!! Does that sound familiar? Many of us have gone through this.

I was eating 3000 to 5000 a day, but I was told to be at 1800 a day!! HOW DID I Do this? Well, I didn't at first. I slowly put less and less food on my plate. That worked for me!! Until I got down to 1550 (Where I am today) for calories, but at 212 lbs I became stuck!! I went online and found the 5% Challenge in 2010! Thanks to the 5% Challenge I learned something I could not do on my own, healthy habits (explanation of why they are important, as well as steps how to get there) while losing up to 5% Of my weight!!

I am excited to invite you all to discover what many of us have the opportunity to join the 2025 Winter 5% Community Challenge!! Here's the description:

Please join this challenge and have fun as we lose 5% of our starting weight, improve our health, and make new friends. Race to "Break The Ribbon" at the finish line for 8-weeks! Have a chat or post questions in the VIP Lounge Discussion. Your friends are welcome too. Now you can write your own success story! Please read the Challenge Themes and the awesome pre-challenge activities that Heidi @hicim705 writes for us, to formulate a plan that will set the pace for your race to succeed during this Winter Season. The challenge start date is January 11! Practice week starts this coming Saturday the 4th.

Are you curious what are the healthy habits we'll be working on?

Healthy Habits By The Week
Week 1: Measurements, Meet the Cheerleaders, Journaling, and an 8-Week Healthy Habit Focus! For details of this activity, please read the instructions included at the beginning of this post.
Week 2: Water and Journal
Week 3: Sleep and Water
Week 4: Am I Hungry Snack Pack and Sleep
Week 5: Me Time and Am I Hungry Snack Pack
Week 6: Take Time to Breathe and Me Time
Week 7: NSV (Non Scale Victory) and Take Time to Breathe
Week 8: Dance and NSV (Non Scale Victory)

Below is the link to join the 2025 Winter 5% Community team.

Please be sure to hit the JOIN BUTTON. After you do so please post on this feed and you'll be put onto a team (There are 8 teams).

📣Request a Team Assignment ONLY Here! All Teams are Closed for Choice📣
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10929584/request-a-team-assignment-only-here-all-teams-are-closed-for-choice#latest

The link to join our 2025 Winter 5% Community Challenge

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/147322-2025-winter-5-challenge-community-please-join-us

Please ask any question below. As you can see from my post I'm maintaining my weight if this is your situation its NOT EASY, thanks to the 5% Challenge we'll help you to do so. Often those who lose put it back on, but!! It's possible with support to not do so.

deskjockey925

This is so very inspirational!!
Thank YOU for sharing what has made a difference in your Journey!

Dianedoessmiles1

deskjockey925 wrote: »

This is so very inspirational!!
Thank YOU for sharing what has made a difference in your Journey!

Awwww YW!! Happy to have you with us on the 2025 Winter 5% Community Challenge. You also have an amazing story of success being with us. You've inspired many. TY!

walkintofit

I have been on the 5% since sparkpeople moved here. It holds me accountable and I have fun doing it. I like the interaction between teammates and with the other teams when there is an Ibc challenge. Staying active while ageing and learning new habits this is the place to be! Come join us!

Dianedoessmiles1

walkintofit wrote: »

I have been on the 5% since sparkpeople moved here. It holds me accountable and I have fun doing it. I like the interaction between teammates and with the other teams when there is an Ibc challenge. Staying active while ageing and learning new habits this is the place to be! Come join us!

Sparks was a great site, so happy when it closed, we found myfitnesspal to join!! It was an interesting time looking for a new site. Happily, Members on MFP who are not used to interactive groups the way we are, are also benefiting from being on the 5% Challenge!!