To the 30-50 lb "Losers"!

unhgoose

I'm 5'7" and at my heaviest in my 20's I was around 195 and it took me about 2 years to lose 35 pounds. I changed how I eat and started doing exercise videos. I'm not a fast loser by any means, and I also don't have the will power or desire to do any kind of really restrictive diet. I just started to eat smaller portions of healthier food and ate out less. I also tried to move more, whether it was walking the dog or popping in a 30 minute exercise DVD.

Now I'm in my 30's and have a 5 and almost 3 year old. With each pregnancy I gained and lost 15 lbs. And now I'm working on FINALLY getting to be lighter than just before I got pregnant the first time.

I have an office job and frankly its much harder to lose now that I have kids. There just isn't enough time in the day. I usually try and work out before the kids get up but they've gotten up wicked early the past two weeks so that hasn't worked. I'm hoping to lose my last 10- 15 lbs this year.

Be patient with yourself. For me it is easier to make changes that are easier to stick with than to do something more extreme that provides quicker results...but that is probably all based on your personality.

danimalkeys

I lost my 1st 50 prior to joining MFP. I did that in about 7 months just by portion control. I didn't weigh anything, etc- just ate less and cut out soda and sweet tea. Thanksgiving/Christmas rolled around and I put about 10lbs back on then joined here. I got the 10lbs off in a couple months then plateaued. I changed my eating habits some (lower carbs and more fat) and have now lost around 30lbs more since Aug '13. The closer I get to my goal the slower it goes. I'm about 2-3lbs away and I've been dropping maybe 1/2-1lb a month now.

HollyDee14

Disclaimer: I haven't lost that much yet... but, I have been losing steadily.

I also have a sedentary office job, and it's tough to be more active during those hours. So, I use half of my lunch hour to walk outside for ~30 minutes. I also try to take the long way around the office when I need to go talk to someone, drop off an interoffice envelope, or do something else. I have breaks between clients, and also try to do some light yoga poses, lunges, or other light exercise for 1-5 minutes at a time. Just being a little more active (like 1-2 minutes) every hour during the hour feels like it has made a difference to me.

Best of luck!

FanasticllyFlawed

My biggest tip would be to pre-make a lot of meals. I do batch cooking on the weekends and split it up into 6 to 8 ounces portions (oatmeal, casseroles, chicken salad (with Greek Yogurt instead of Mayo)... so on and so on). That way there is something healthy and pre-measured available for you. Even when you still have to make lunches for the little ones or the family, you can always opt out to eat your pre-made meal, but really, it just helps when time is tight and you want something decent.

Its the small gradual changes that will add up. I started off eating the same but just watching portions, then I started trying to phase out white carbs and now I am phasing out sugar. My taste buds are different, what I crave is different, and what I notice in food is different. You can do this, just have fun, be active, take it one day at a time and don't stress out about it!

dmenchac

5 month to lose 41 lbs.

However the answer to how long? Is as long as it takes.

rose313

That's me! I started on MFP on Sept 1, 2011. I re-started almost seven weeks ago. I have lost 6 pounds but I fluctuate a lot. Hopefully I can continue losing but it's not as simple as a pound a week for me. My weight goes up and down all the time. I know it's normal but sometimes it's discouraging. However, I get motivated again as soon as I hit a new low and that keeps me going.

AcromionProcess

I'm totally going to take that invitation sexzystef and look at your diary. I have some of your stats (SW: 205 5'7", F)