whats your secret?

smulokwa

Keep looking at others success. Nothing gets me more motivated! Also, when people tell me I can't that lights a fire under me like nothing else. Maybe I should hire someone to do that daily LOL

longhairpokem

Keeping very accurate calorie count.... staying below 1200 calories..... gym 4 or 5 times a week Down to 261 from 288... 27 lbs. is 49 days....

lc971

Patience, and lots of it, too. ) I'm just eating a lot more salads, fresh fruits, and vegetables. I exercise 4x a week(treadmill).

I still have a treat once in awhile, too.

celticmuse

My secret weapons are PATIENCE and MODERATION. Patience because I see this as a life style change, and not a "diet", so I accept that it is going to take some time. I am enjoying the ride. It has taken 18 months, and I am sitting 1 lb. from my goal. Moderation in terms of eating and exercise. I only work out every other day, and I do exercise that I enjoy, and doesn't seem like a chore or a burden. Moderation in terms of food, in that I eat a large variety of healthy foods, including mostly complex carbs, lean meats, and fruits and vegetables. The only foods I avoid are processed foods, foods with chemicals, and fried foods. I also allow myself to enjoy dark chocolate and alcohol (wine) in moderation. I do weigh and measure foods, to keep portion sizes reasonable, but otherwise, I don't really do anything extreme.

My other secret weapons are my HRM, my scales (the one to weigh myself and the other one to weigh my food), my JM DVDs, my interval training program, and of course, MFP....

cwkw2012

I keep almonds at the office if I forget to have breakfast -- lots of protein, and really filling. I haven't eliminated any foods, but I eat really small portions, and I have been experimenting with avoiding wheat and most other refined carbs to avoid an insulin response that creates cravings. So far, it seems to be working -- maybe psychosomatic

I work a desk job, and I look for reasons to move more all day. I walk to lunch, and have been choosing places farther away. I've added some yoga to my mornings and evenings.

I got heavy in college, and then lost 70lbs and kept it off for 8 years. Then I had my two kids, gaining through each, and I'm back to where I was in college (well, minus 7 lbs since I started MFP). I'm trying to get back to the habits that kept me on track before -- generally trying to move more without obssessing about setting up the "perfect" workout schedule that will be too rigid for me to stick to, etc. I really focus on nearterm goals -- like losing another 3 to make 10 so far -- and on not gaining more than losing, if that makes sense.

One challenge I'm having is eating enough, ironically. I know I need to step up my workouts to boost my metabolism and my appetite -- baby steps.

pyrowill

I eat children. I burn calories trying to chase them aswell.

puddle43

Drinking only water, except for almond or soy milk in cereal or smoothies.

Logging my foods before I eat them.

Great topic, so what is your secret??

Amen to logging my foods before I eat them. Then that way I can have my glass of wine before I hit the bed.

You just need to do it right. Exercised myself to a bad knee only to find out here that all I needed was to eat enough calories. I wasn't and that explained the plateau !!

carld256

I went from being a junk food vegetarian, to a low-fat, whole foods vegan. I count my calories on MFP and exercise every day, and follow a few rules for food choices.

1. No animal products.
2. No added oils, and keep other oils low.
3. No added salt or sugar.
4. Eat whole foods rather than processed -- still working on improving that one.
3. Eat low on the glycemic index.

My blood glucose readings are normal, and I don't seem to be insulin resistant any longer. My blood pressure and pulse have dropped to normal, and I'm off most of my meds. I still have another 40-50 pounds I'd like to lose, but I'm hopefully doing it slowly, steadily and permanently.

sarah_annette

Also, I don't like it call "losing Weight." That implies it's something I'm going to try and find. Prefer the term Removing because I'll never find that fat I got rid of..

Same! You've been listening to Jack Canfield, eh?

journeytocaitlin

8oz of warm water with 1 T of fresh lemon juice morning and night.

Warm?? Yuck!

iambabygoose

The 30 day shred and pole dancing keeps me trimmed up. Exercise in the morning as its tempting to not do any if you leave it too late. 2litres of water a day. Lots of motivation!

momto1g1b

I bodyrock 5 days a week and stay within my calories for the day - doing my best to eat healthy, natural foods and that keeps me feeling pretty full most of the time. I chug 2 glasses of water before I eat my breakfast and drink 2 more while I'm eating breakfast. I try to drink 2 glasses of water with every meal/snack. Breakfast is typically eggs, oatmeal (with 1 tbsp flax seed meal) and fruit. I started both bodyrocking and MFP in late March and I've lost about 8 lbs. Doesn't sound like a lot lost, but it's completely changed my lower body and I've shrunk from a size 6 jeans to a size 0!

ChitownFoodie

I do mini workouts all day long. Favorite thing, I walk/run 40 flights of stairs first thing in the morning.

Cr357

Keeping insanely accurate count of every single calorie I consume. And then make sure I stay below my alloted calories for the day.

^^^ Once you know what's going where..... you are firmly in control

Blessedmommy_2x

Body weight exercises.... I LOVE them! I love to challenge myself to create interesting circuits using them and challenging myself to complete a certain amount of reps of a exercise. I think another secret to it is also changing it up frequently - your calorie consumption , your exercises and food choices. You don't want to get so bored with it you decide to quit, but also it keeps the body guessing

There truly is no secret, but those are my two favorite bits of advice.

cls_333

Distance Running - ever seen a fat distance runner?
Greek yogurt with raspberries, blueberries & cereal - omg good
Russett potato - huge food for 110 cals.
Small dark chocolate pieces when you NEED a sweet

Shock_Wave

Finding my motivation through others that inspire me and wondering how far I can change myself for myself positively mentally and physically.

Christine1110

I have been losing weight....by not eating processed foods! It wasn't easy in the beginning.....but now it's great!

kenny_johnson

For me it's not so much about what I eat or what exercise I do. If you are in a calorie deficit, you should lose weight. For me, success (I'm not done yet!) so far has been:

1) Setting concrete goals and re-reading, checking them, etc daily.
2) Staying on course no matter what. No bad meal or bad day (so far) has taken me off course.
3) Freedom. I knew I couldn't make a 180 life change over night... especially with my diet. I still eat foods I like. I just use moderation and common sense.

Shock_Wave

Distance Running - ever seen a fat distance runner?
Greek yogurt with raspberries, blueberries & cereal - omg good
Russett potato - huge food for 110 cals.
Small dark chocolate pieces when you NEED a sweet

Yes all the time on the biggest loser.

Fnarkk

SLEEP. I have long stretches of insomnia where I sleep less than 4hrs a day for a few months and I found that even though I think I eat the same as when I sleep for 6-7hrs, the weight starts creeping back. It also may have something to do with the fact that I can not exercise with the same vigor as when I am well rested as well as playing havok on memory so I do sometimes miss placing items on my food log (hell, sometimes I forget I ate a whole meal and would eat another shortly after the first one.). I found that if I log my food BEFORE I eat, it would both curb the forgetfullness and reinforce staying within my calorie goal.

dlpnrn2b

all great post.

Amoceri88

i really like your response...i also find logging food before eating helps..i work 12 hr shifts at the hospital and the days i plan and pack my lunch are the best ones

manvsfood

Moderation was always the KEY to my weight loss, because I still ate what I was use to, but in smaller portions. Example, instead of my normal six slice of pizza... I'd have 2.

Oh, and the mirror... those damn mirrors! :mad:

Mindmovesbody

Staying @ 1200 calories a day ... Gym 5 days a week !!! started @ 288 down to 266 just over 30 days....

Off to a great start man. Unless you are under a doctor or nutritionist's supervision, I strongly urge you jack up your daily intake, to prevent issues before they start. 1200 is well below your BMR, and while you may lose weight rapidly eating that level, you may not be losing the right kind, i.e., fat.

^^^ this! To the OP, KNOW YOUR BMR AND TDEE. Eat at a 15- 20 % deficit of your TDEE and NEVER eat below your BMR and you will lose weight. Exercise is a matter of preference. I am doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day shred to ease myself into strength training because I am a cardio girl through and through. You cannot 'spot reduce' so just exercise, get moving and do something for your whole body! Good luck!

KrystieNye

I'm fairly new to MFP (this is only my second week), but so far I have been able to stick with it really easily by eating small meals close together (breakfast, AM snack, lunch, PM snack, dinner, evening snack). I've also found a way to curb my craving for sweets (which is huge for me), by eating a VitaBrownie for my evening snack every day (only 100 calories, and they keep me full through the night).

annagrace51

60 minutes of arobic kickboxing 3 times a week ...60 minutes 3 times a week zumba....and I use the amino liquid drops...and changed the way I eat.

pulsate

What I've been trying to do is just the little things. I have a pretty busy life, trying to deal with a full time job, getting ready to go to college, family.. friends.. and always loving sleeping.

I've focused a lot of my main goal to be on my food, since i don't have much time for extra activity. I keep in check with my calorie counting. Once you realise you can eat more when you eat healthy, it makes you focus more on eating good foods.

you shouldn't deprive yourself though. every once and awhile you need to treat yourself to something, or you'll get discouraged, and binge on something that risks backpedaling all of the work you've done. Try saving calories up for a treat at the end of the week. gives you something to look forward to.

I've cut out almost all drinks that aren't water. It's a waste of calories, and doesn't often do the body any good.

When i crave sweets, I try to look at fruits.. but something like a 100 calorie special k bar takes care of the sweet tooth.

I try to do the little things, like parking a car further away, or taking the stairs instead if the elevator or escalator.

I've only just recently got back into my routine, but already ive started losing weight. it's a good feeling.

noidles

I had a major obsession with chocolate and diet coke. So for lent I gave both up, and found it was then easier to snack less. Then I did the c25k and started the 30 day shred.

Since lent I've carried on not eating chocolate and drinking diet coke and I've also given up alcohol for 6 weeks and I'm limiting the amount of bread, pasta, rice and potatoes I have.

What motivates me tostay on track is looking at everyone's success on here. It gets me through the tougher days.

Mcctin65

Eating less and doing more.
I do much better if I plan my meals in advance. If I don't have healthy food readily available I will eat garbage.
If I'm going out to eat I get the menu from the internet and pick out what I'm ordering before I get there.