Whats been working for your weight loss

nseantae

I am new here and am wondering for those who have had success thus far, what has been working for you?
When did you experience the most weight loss? example.. When you drank a lot of water each day or worked out on the stepper. etc as feel free to add me as I need motivating friends people in my corner..
Thanks

Hauntinglyfit

Eating less.
Moderation rather than a 'diet'.
Finding some kind of exercise that i enjoy doing and that I stick to.

alisonlynn1976

Exercise, not using food as a reward, and paying attention to portion size.

grimendale

Portion sizes, actually measuring food before I eat it, logging absolutely everything, patience.

ndj1979

calorie deficit….

create one, stick to it, watch the weight come off..

throw in some exercise along with that deficit and you are good to go ….

yes, it really is that simple..I promise

JenniBaby85

Healthy and clean eating, primarily, I still allow for some not so clean and healthy in moderation . Eating between 1300-1500 calories a day, and hardcore working out at least 5 days a week. I lose or have lost the most weight at the beginning of the journey, as most people do, and have to get my thyroid levels checked regularly. But I'm at a point now where I don't even have a working scale, I'm just aiming for lowering body fat percentage, and a certain dress size.

ndj1979

Healthy and clean eating, primarily, I still allow for some not so clean and healthy in moderation . Eating between 1300-1500 calories a day, and hardcore working out at least 5 days a week. I lose or have lost the most weight at the beginning of the journey, as most people do, and have to get my thyroid levels checked regularly. But I'm at a point now where I don't even have a working scale, I'm just aiming for lowering body fat percentage, and a certain dress size.

agree with everything except clean eating….clean eating has nothing to do with weight loss, it is the calorie deficit that you create from eating less and working out more.

tonybalony01

calorie deficit….

create one, stick to it, watch the weight come off..

throw in some exercise along with that deficit and you are good to go ….

yes, it really is that simple..I promise

You beat me to it! Follow these simple steps, and it'll come off.
At first, it'll drop real quick, but then it will slow down. Don't panic.
Stick to your plan and the weight will come off slow and steady.
You didn't gain the weight overnight, and it's not going to come off overnight.
Keep at it, and don't ever give up.
Welcome to the family.

DoingitWell

Drinking lots of water..*good for my skin too.* and Intermittent fasting. Side note, the intermittent fasting helps me sleep soooo much better at night.

emilyisbonkers

trying to eat loads of protein

Katla49

Portion sizes, actually measuring food before I eat it, logging absolutely everything, patience.

This is true for me, too. Measuring food, portion control, logging every bite, and moving more is the recipe for success. Drink plenty of water. I have walked, ridden my bike and done yoga as my main exercise. An injury is currently preventing me from circuit training. Be patient. This is a reliable recipe for success but the weight comes off in its own sweet time.:flowerforyou:

smc864

All you need to lose weight is a caloric deficit, which means to eat less calories than you burn. Here is what I'm doing and the weight has been falling off... I lose 2 pounds/week every week.

1200 calories/day (I wouldn't recommend this for men though... it's too low)
Do not eat back exercise calories.
Have one day per week to eat at maintenance (1800-2000 calories)
High protein (40% protein, 30% fat, 30% carbs)
Mostly lean meats and veggies
Intermittent fasting (Leangains approach but this is totally optional... it just makes the 1200 calories seem more filling)
Strength training 3 times/week
Cardio (low intensity like walking at 3.5mph 3 times/week)

That's what I do and it WORKS, but so does a simple caloric deficit. You just have to find what you can consistently do for the long run.

Good luck!


ETA: I keep a close eye on my sodium intake so that I don't have weight fluctuations and I drink lots of water

nseantae

Thank You!

emirror

The one thing I want to add...

It is incredibly tempting to sneak a little bit here and there, and not log it in the journal. Be really, really, REALLY honest with yourself about what you are eating. If you are embarrassed by what you are eating, then just close your food log; but be honest with *yourself*. If you get a month down the road, and aren't losing weight, you need that honest record to look at and see where your problem areas are. Having that real, honest information will help you fix the problems, and will get you back on track.

helena_jj

For me works the following:
1. Good eating. I have a diet I follow. It's rational healthy eating with some restrictions. It's limited carbs, low fat. For me diet is the only component I really need for weight loss. I wouldn't lose weight if I don't restrict what goes into my mouth.
2. Though any diet works for me, I have the best results when I eat little salt and don't eat late in the night.
3. Exercises help me, but I can lose weight without any exercises. But with exercises my body gets better form, they organize me and they make it easier to restrict the food as I don't feel like stuffing myself right after I worked so hard to lose some weight.
4. And yes, water is necessary for weight loss as the body needs it to dissolve the fat. For me 2 liters a day have always been enough.
5. Moderation never worked for me. But I think it's my personal problem. It is much easier for me to not eat anything at all than to stop after little amount. I still need to work on it.

You can add me if you want.

BlueBombers

I lost a good chunk of my weight in the first 5 months or so (I started in March). I only did cardio at that point. I started with just walking on an incline on my treadmill. As I became stronger and leaner, I started running on the treadmill.

For a while now I've been lifting weights which I highly recommend. This is where I have seen the greatest change in my figure. Heavy compound lifts are the way to go. I still do cardio, but only about 20 minutes or so. I focus more now on the weight lifting.

As for diet, I haven't changed a whole lot. I drink lots of water and cut back on my portion sizes and the junk food. I try to eat more fruits and veggies.

So calorie deficit mixed with cardio and weight lifting is what has worked for me.

Good luck to you!!

joesimtre

Exercise
Moderation
Prayer
Good friends
Staying the course

thebeautybeneath

I'm new to, and I have been learning that moderation is key. Not necessarily dieting, or starving yourself

happysherri

Hard work!!!

I noticed when I was burning more than 4000 calories a week and eating clean 6 out of the 7 days (but always at a deficit), this is when I dropped the most! I'm almost at maintenance, YAY! -Oh, and never ate under 1200 calories -EVER.

k_stew_

My fitbit has been very helpful for my weight loss, but isn't necessary to get the same results. I walk to get 10,000 steps a day (approx. 5 miles) and I eat at a calorie deficit. I try to eat healthy foods so that I feel full and satisfied while staying under my calorie goal. The fitbit simply tracks my steps for me and adjusts my calorie needs based on my daily activity. Also finding non-food related comforts when I have a bad day or want to celebrate something is very helpful.

kagevf

All you need to lose weight is a caloric deficit, which means to eat less calories than you burn. Here is what I'm doing and the weight has been falling off... I lose 2 pounds/week every week.

1200 calories/day (I wouldn't recommend this for men though... it's too low)
Do not eat back exercise calories.
Have one day per week to eat at maintenance (1800-2000 calories)
High protein (40% protein, 30% fat, 30% carbs)
Mostly lean meats and veggies
Intermittent fasting (Leangains approach but this is totally optional... it just makes the 1200 calories seem more filling)
Strength training 3 times/week
Cardio (low intensity like walking at 3.5mph 3 times/week)

That's what I do and it WORKS, but so does a simple caloric deficit. You just have to find what you can consistently do for the long run.

Good luck!


ETA: I keep a close eye on my sodium intake so that I don't have weight fluctuations and I drink lots of water

kagevf

All you need to lose weight is a caloric deficit, which means to eat less calories than you burn. Here is what I'm doing and the weight has been falling off... I lose 2 pounds/week every week.

1200 calories/day (I wouldn't recommend this for men though... it's too low)
Do not eat back exercise calories.
Have one day per week to eat at maintenance (1800-2000 calories)
High protein (40% protein, 30% fat, 30% carbs)
Mostly lean meats and veggies
Intermittent fasting (Leangains approach but this is totally optional... it just makes the 1200 calories seem more filling)
Strength training 3 times/week
Cardio (low intensity like walking at 3.5mph 3 times/week)

That's what I do and it WORKS, but so does a simple caloric deficit. You just have to find what you can consistently do for the long run.

Good luck!


ETA: I keep a close eye on my sodium intake so that I don't have weight fluctuations and I drink lots of water

oopss sorry i messed up her quote,

but yes !!!! LEANGAINS

everything she said and that guy NDJ1979 said calorie deficit is the way to go.
I follow the leangains protocol.

goodluck!

Sherbog

I prioritize my time to spend it around supportive friends and family. I make a conscious choice to avoid people who try to sabotage my weight loss journey.

Weigh, measure and record everything I eat. Exercise and record it every day.

Stay with MFP!

Shirley in Oregon

Grumbers

Some great info in here. Good luck/well done to all!

D_squareG

The one thing I want to add...

It is incredibly tempting to sneak a little bit here and there, and not log it in the journal. Be really, really, REALLY honest with yourself about what you are eating. If you are embarrassed by what you are eating, then just close your food log; but be honest with *yourself*. If you get a month down the road, and aren't losing weight, you need that honest record to look at and see where your problem areas are. Having that real, honest information will help you fix the problems, and will get you back on track.

This is the best advice. Log everything. Good, bad, ugly.

Dory_42

What works best for me is to keep active. The more I exercise the healthier I eat and the easier it is to stick to my calorie goal (I aim for 1600 regardless of how much I burn). For me active means a variety of things that I enjoy which includes walking my dog at the beach, swimming (preferably in the ocean but as long as I am in the water I'm happy) and fencing. I add others (such as gym class or T25) because it helps me improve as a fencer.

When I can't be active for whatever reason or I am just lazy I crave all sorts of calorie dense junk food but if I'm active then I generally want the healthy options with the odd treat here or there, which I allow but juggle calories to accommodate it. I also don't get as hungry so sticking to the goal is easier.

sue_langley

Clean eating seems to make a bigger difference on the scale, gives me the energy I need to work out, helps me eliminate, eventually eliminates cravings, makes me feel focused. I could gi on and on. Start small. Start with a smoothie in the morning. Blend 1 cup Costco organic spinach with 1 cup Costco frozen pineapple chunks. Sooo good and you will feel amazing.

c8linmarie

Calorie deficit + walking

E_Brault

Hi Everyone,

Today is my 2nd day at my attempt to lose weight. I am using a Diet under a doctor's supervision. I eat one meal a day and 3 meal replacements. I've started using the treadmill: 25 minutes at 3.0 speed on a 5 incline. If anyone would like to join me on this journey that would be great. I am already experiencing negativity at home and could use/give support

mikeroybal

I can tell you what has not worked for me

1. going into to much ofa calorie defict
2. believing the "cheat day" idea


while I agree a calorie is a calories I am finding I feel better eating as little processed food as possible

rhoule76

Put your food in your diary in the morning (all meals if you can) and then you have it planned out and may be less tempted to "cheat" or have something else to eat.

Track all foods you put in your mouth. If you don't track everything, your are only cheating yourself.

Exercise.