What contributed to your weight loss?

pinkakira1

Hi all. I am trying to really pull things together. I see all these wonderful stories and I wanted to ask what was a major contributing factor to your weight loss?

I noticed people who had 30+ pounds lost drank tons of water like 10 cups plus. What other small things have you changed that you feel really contributed to your loss?

trevnem

drinking tons of water, lemon wedges in it most of the time! And Eating! I can actually feel what my body is saying now, even when im not hungry I snack on almonds or starwberrys, just something in between meals and I really think that's helping me, I have more energy and it takes less motivation when I fuel myself its like my body wants to work out!

nikkylyn

water is good but mostly determination to stick to my calorie goals. thats what helped most. i didnt want to stay stagnant anymore.

MADIABEL

I drink tons of water, watch my carbs and make sure to stay around my calorie intake for the day not to go above or below it too much has really helped. Make sure to just get out there and move for your exercise.

grillnchill

Drinking more water, cutting out most processed foods and snacks, being more conscious about my portions (bought a food scale last week, one of the best purchases I've made in a while) basically tracking it ALL DOWN. It is a labor of love.

mzione904

Personally it was finding exercises that I actually enjoyed (i.e. thank God for the C25K app) and modifying the Atkins diet. I also booked myself a celebration trip to Jamaica even though i had not lost one pound yet. The vision of wearing a bikini for the first time in my life really kept me motivated even on the difficult days. Good luck to you! :drinker:

Adc7225

I listen to my body , , , it tells me when I am eating junk.

It's nice when people look in my cart at the grocery store and comment "you cook," my cabinets are pretty bare since most of my good are fresh or frozen. I also use a food scale . . . I take pictures of some servings so I can train myself how to visualize what really is a serving size.

Ivey05131980

I don't drink much water at all. Snack often, follow MFP guidelines to the best of your ability and move your butt. It has worked well for me.

viglet

Taking one day at a time was the big changer for me.

In the past, whenever I had a f-ed up eating day, I would just give up for the rest of the week and then for the rest of the month.
Now I take it a day or even hour at a time.

MB_Positif

Keeping it simple. Sticking to calorie goals. Not eliminating or restricting certain types of foods. Moderation.

kristen6022

Getting control of my diet. Eating in Moderation. Eating smaller portions. Not eating everything in sight. Planning what I eat a day ahead.

briabner

drinking 100 ounces upwards of 1 gallon of water per day

staying within 2500 mg of sodium or less each day - this was probably the biggest thing that has helped me so far, the weight started falling off when I really started paying attention to my sodium

not eating out but once a week or less, I am now only eating out maybe 2x per month. It has helped with my weight loss as well as with my budget!

I try to eat at least 1 fruit or vegetable with every meal

These are just a few. I have lost 47 pounds since January 2013

briabner

oh and portion control was HUGE for me!!!! Definitely invest in a food scale.

Oscarinmiami

I used to drink 6 coca-colas a day and zero water and now i only drink one coke and 4-8 glasses of water....trying to make it zero cokes a day but it's tough, a 45 year addiction to coca-cola and 10 kidney stones later I am still struggling every day

cwaters120

In the end, it was my determination to stick to my goals (calorie AND workouts) that got me losing the most. The only one that can get you up off the couch and moving is YOU and the only one making the fork (spoon, fingers, etc) got to your mouth is YOU is what I kept telling myself. In the end it was ME that had to make the decision to change if I didnt' want to stay overweight the rest of my life.

VeroJuly

drink water and eat my exercise calories back! Balance weight training and cardio. Find exercise that you enjoy so that working out doesn't feel like a chore. Have fun

cwolfman13

I ate at a modest deficit from maintenance...that is all. Along the way I learned a lot about portion control and moderation which both served me well maintaining for 6 months without logging. I'm on another cut now...i will observe a modest calorie deficit...that is all.

Snow3y

The major contributor: Eating under your caloric daily allowance, and lifting to make shiz firm. Cardio isn't even a must, but great for health

MillyFleurs

The first fifteen I wasn't even trying, I just quit eating/drinking empty calories and started eating healthier. Now I eat a nutritious diet (at a deficit) and workout 4-6 times a week.

_John_

moving heavy things that didn't move themselves and calorie restriction...

PERIOD.

shirleylmartin

Nutrition is about 80% of what your results are going to be. You'll find a lot of people here on MFP saying "calories in, calories out". But if you think about it, that is SO UNTRUE!!! 1400 calories of good, whole, REAL food is completely different than 1400 calories of junk like pre-made food, processed food, soda/pop, etc. Just focus on eating clean food; that's a good place to start.

Cindyinpg

1. Accuracy: Logging my food everyday on MFP and using a food scale to calculate my intake and using a Bodymedia Fit to calculate my TDEE.
2. Flexibilty: Incorporating foods I love everyday, after meeting my macro/micro/fiber goals. Never depriving myself and never demonizing any foods. IIFYM rocks!
3. Cardio: Staying active, finding a cardio exercise that I love. Kickboxing.
4. Weight training.

Mia_RagazzaTosta

moving heavy things that didn't move themselves and calorie restriction...

PERIOD.

x2

I cut out soda, gave up carbs, and whatever other fads are out there. Nothing helped until I reigned in my eating, started eating at a true deficit (get a food scale to be sure), and lifting heavy.

charliex2202

For me personally it was The realisation that I am the ONLY one with the power to change things, by taking control of my life instead of just letting things remain the way they were! this is what motivates me to try harder every day.

I think this whole process is equal parts a mental change as it is a physical change, if we only change our physical appearance we will eventually fall back into the same pattern we were in before, by understanding how we got there in the first place and accepting challenges, faults and realisations along the way I believe we will be more likely to succeed in getting the weight off and more importantly keeping it off,

~charlie

markiend

I bought an exercise bike ( cheapy one) stopped stuffing sugary things daily ..cycled 15 miles a day for 3 months and the belly started to shift, slowly but surely

Now I am trying to get rid of the rest using exercise , weights ( heavy ish) and a calorie deficit coupled with closely monitored nutrition

MB_Positif

moving heavy things that didn't move themselves and calorie restriction...

PERIOD.

x2

I cut out soda, gave up carbs, and whatever other fads are out there. Nothing helped until I reigned in my eating, started eating at a true deficit (get a food scale to be sure), and lifting heavy.

All of the above too, except I didn't try fad diets. I usually tried stupid energy pills.

mockchoc

Don't give up carbs, don't give up anything. It's fine to reduce the refined carbs if that is what you want to do but all that really counts is calories in versus calories out. I found walking good as I enjoy it and it's my time to zone out watching the ocean while burning some calories so I can eat more. No need to drink tons of water either, that is an old myth. Of course have some but you do get it from your foods and other drinks too so don't go worrying too much. If it helps though drink it more but no need to drink tons of water because you are hungry. You shouldn't be hungry anyhow while losing weight in the first place if you are eating the right amount of calories for you. DON'T starve yourself for this. You will only end up fat again later on.

alterone1982

Love the idea of taking a picture to remember portion sizes!

bcattoes

Exercise!! Cardio, strength, balance and flexibility exercises. Calories burning (and thus, earning) exercise. For me, it is the proverbial magic potion for weight loss.

RealMarkD

Exercise, drinking A LOT of water (2-3 quarts per day), cutting out milk & cheese (thanks, milk allergy!), and cutting WAY back on soda (if I have more than 12 oz of Coke in a month, I've had a lot).

rickcote13

Well Stated... Agree 1,000,000 percent... less chemicals = way better...

Nutrition is about 80% of what your results are going to be. You'll find a lot of people here on MFP saying "calories in, calories out". But if you think about it, that is SO UNTRUE!!! 1400 calories of good, whole, REAL food is completely different than 1400 calories of junk like pre-made food, processed food, soda/pop, etc. Just focus on eating clean food; that's a good place to start.