What was the first thing you changed?

mrsemmypants

I eliminated soda. I only drink water [generally with lemon] and coffee. I work nights, you take away my coffee, I'll cut you haha :bigsmile: I never really drank energy drinks, so that wasn't an issue. I'd be lying if I said I never missed Pepsi, but I'd rather spend the calories on something else.

SluggishSwimmer

I haven't totally eliminated it, but I cut way back on soda and sugary drinks, as well as other junk foods.
Logging has REALLY helped, I honestly had no idea how many calories I was eating per day until I did that. I knew it was bad, but not how bad.

Stary714

Probably drinking drinks besides water? I can't remember but it was a tie between that and portion sizes.

Once I figured out how many calories my sweet teas and occasional soda gave me I became almost OCD about not drinking anything with calories. It just kinda seems like a waste to me. Plus water is good for you and goes with everything

PunkyRachel

I switched to ground turkey, and whole wheat bread/pasta's, and brown rice.
I stopped drinking soda and sweet tea (though I still occasionally have it).
I began exercising, started with just walking and then later I added Zumba.
I take my vitamin's/supplements every morning.
I eat my veggies/fruit now. Though probably not enough of them, but Its more than I used too eat.
Counting my calories, I actually kept a notebook for about a month and hand wrote out my food/exercise each day, then I found out about MFP and have been on here ever since.
I saw a Dr. and sought out treatment for my PCOS, that I ignored and left untreated for several years.

scispence

Bye bye alcohol!
Then bye bye desserts!
Then I started tracking calories.
So far so good...

miniimuscles

Regularly exercising even if it was just walking my dogs was the first thing I changed.

skvbrevity

I cut out snacking, especially at night. IF I eat between meals, I have a stick of pepperjack cheese - high protein, low carb, tasty - not bland, convenient, cheap! :happy:

Branstin

The first thing I changed was my relationship with food.

maQmIgh

Three things... All releated in the process of change.... But only 1 actually intake related

1) Split from a 20 year, non supportive, relationship :drinker:
2) Started a new supportive relationship, with the Ex's best mate :laugh: (4 years so far )
....
3) Ditched the 4 litre bottles of Coca Cola Cherry Coke per day (1800 Calories) :sad:

Oh how I miss that joyous, Syrup of goodnes..... :noway: NOT!!!!

skvbrevity

You are absolutely right, Christa. My husband has really enjoyed the home-cooked meals, as well. Since it's now daylight when we get home in the evenings, we're enjoying grilling a lot of our meats & veggies -- add a salad, & there's no kitchen mess to clean either. I also have learned to cook for two days at a time, especially the meat. Lucky for me, hubby does not oppose leftovers....no waste -- OR, if there's enough left for just one - I will take something in my lunch the next day ---- MORE savings!

fierydeluge

Definitely my eating habits. Took 5 months to adapt to the new habits but it worth it.

socialdchic

Stopped drinking 5-6 sodas a day and eating fast food

rdsxfn

(realizing that bacon doesn't have to be put on everything I eat.)

mmmmmmm. bacon.

skvbrevity

babb -- I got back in the water habit by doing three things - 1) I drink cool tap water - it's free & you drink more cool than really cold at one time; 2) I drink from a measured quart container to refill, & I can tell at all hours of the day just how much else is left to drink for my daily goal; 3) On busy days, I put an hour timer on my desk and drink 8 oz when the timer sounds just like medication until I get back into the habit of actually wanting the water.

skvbrevity

Butterball turkey bacon- the trick is HOW to cook it - I've learned the trick -- only 2 slices at a time on a papertowel on a plate in the microwave for 2 minutes; it crisps as it cools - no carbs, low fat, tasty, & legal!

Peacockbutterfly

I cut out about 90% of my soda intake quickly and started logging my calories. One thing I haven't had since are Lifesavers Gummy candies. I totally was addicted to those. I was eating 2-3 bags a day. I'm glad I quit.

zivasak

went from grazing all day long to 3 meals a day every 5 hour period+ drinking tons of water.

ezloshead

I had to end my long term engagement with sweet tea. We still see each other sometimes, but I'm with water now.

RobinLynx

It was actually an attitude change, that it's OK to do things for myself & not just everyone else--the world didn't end...which led to looking at a diet & exercise program as being the major things instead of just more chores. Sort of like sinking your teeth into THAT project rather than sinking your teeth into non-portion controlled unhealthy food (& being frustrated & making excuses & all that stuff that doesn't work. I think I already TRIED everything that *doesn't* work). And then opening up & listening to positive, supportive people. I believed people who said, "You can do it." Am really looking hard for & focusing on things to be happy about, if that makes sense. So even while things are stressful, you have this little island of your exercise & your plan & learning things (love learning things). And it worked & is working!

But definitely the attitude came first.

BIGJIMMYU

Good answer ^^^ RobinLynx- I agree that attitude is key. Personally I began by light walking, cutting out soda, adding in more water and believe it or not steamed asparagus. It is a superfood for weight loss.

Eat less, exercise more, and adjust your attitude. Before you know it you're thinning down!

Fiercely_Me

My mindset. Once I came to the realization that getting to my goal weight isn't going to happen overnight, and that I don't have to cut out the foods I love (just stop eating so damn much of it) then that's when everything else fell into place.

cougarose

Like Robin, the first thing I changed was my attitude. I changed the way I view food. Instead of just satisfying my taste buds for a few seconds with empty calories that did nothing to improve my health, I began to look at those foods as something that would eventually kill me if I continued to shovel them into my mouth. That was only because I found out I was diabetic. Contrary to what many think, that diabetes is caused from eating too many sweet goodies, a carbohydrate loaded diet is what led to my health issue, as I suspect is the culprit for many other diabetics. So I decided to readjust my food choices and portions. I still eat potatoes, just not as often or as much. I'm still making changes because I'm not where I want to be yet. But I'll get there.

shannapolitte

I Cut out pasta, bread, and sugar. Then a couple weeks later I started running.

KxCoyote

Pop. Definitely the pop.
I drank pop, every day, all day. At least 2 2liters a day on my own, every day, for as long as I could remember. I seriously remember drinking pop out of a sippy cup because it taught me how to take the cup off because i hated how it made it all foamy coming through the little holes.

But I had TRIED to quit drinking pop for around, two-ish years, before dropping it for GOOD roughly a year ago(Note, I'm 21 now) . Now, I can't even touch the stuff, the regular at least. I still have a small diet pepsi when I go out with my Mom on shopping trips(Literally only three times a month )

ShrinkingShrek

For me it was learning to document everything I eat. WhenI see it I realize how much and what types of food I was eating.

Maryanne1923

I stopped smoking 3 years ago and realised recently I'd gained 50lb! I cut out all the cheese, bread and milk that I had replaced the cigarettes with. When I started losing a little I began logging everything so that I could see exactly what I was eating. I was very surprised at how many calories I was eating!

amethyst7986

Definitely my mindset and view of myself. If you're not mentally and emotionally committed, you won't get far.

AusAshMommy

Changed my way of thinking FIRST by becoming absolutely 100% transparent to myself and logging absolutely everything I was eating - boy was that a slap in the face!

Added more water to my diet - went cold turkey on soda's months ago - but have weaned myself off of tea slowly - now only get it as a treat every once in awhile.

AlysonG2

I started exercising and started drinking more water.

jhellwig828

Sodas were the first to go - cold turkey. Only drinking water now and if I am craving flavor I add a Propel Zero. Then I started eating breakfast and watching my lunches. I work at a place where food is available all the time - pretty much anything I want. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes had to go! Then I started exercising but the most important thing for me has been my portions!