Question for all you Awesome Successful Peeps!

betsy329

I am just beginning my journey, 5 weeks in, 7.5 pounds lost so far. And while I feel pretty good about that, I can't help but worry I am going to have a hard time getting to my goal (64 pounds lost) by just exercising and eating very sensibly. I know it will take a while, and I'm totally cool with that, I just want to make sure it's possible. So here is my question for those of you who have reached your goals:

Did any of you loose the weight you wanted by simply eating appropriately and exercising often? Not through gimics, no 30-day shred, no crazy diets. Just honest to goodness exercise and eating right?

ksmorck

Yes, I still have about 10 to go but its gone very smoothly, 33lbs of it! I did do Couch to 5k, otherwise I eat anywhere from 1500-2000 cals a day, never less and move as much as possible. I also lift weights 3x a week. Thats it, no other money spent!

betsy329

That's great! Congrats and thanks for replying!

ksmorck

I wouldn't call myself an Awesome Successful Peep, however I am getting to the point where I'm pretty proud of how far I've come in 11 months after having my son!!

sewerchick93

Since January of 2011, I've lost almost 80 lbs with just exercise and eating better.

baxgilter

Yes absolutely! Ive lost 85 lbs, it has taken 2 years and 4 months but I have done it. 1-2 lbs at a time. Nixing most of the crap I ate and only eating it occasionally and in moderation. Im happy with my weight now, just want to tone up. Feel free to friend or message with questions. Good luck and keep up the good work!

- JoAnna

ksmorck

33lbs in 158 days by the way. It didn't take me 11 months to lose 33lbs once I put my mind to it!

jeanarae1983

I've lost my 29 lbs by eating right, tracking every day, and exercising as much as I can (group classes through a local gym...pilates, indo-row, spinning, combo classes). I am starting weight training this week.

30-day shred isn't really a gimmick, I will say. It's a great exercise DVD. I'd like to work it back into my routine at some point.

gimmewellness

prior to finding MFP i had lost 60lbs by just making small changes... whole wheat pasta and bread instead of white pasta, increasing fruits and veggies, moving more, cutting out the late night snacking. All those cliche tricks...well they work. Think of it as a lifestyle change and not a diet and just live your best life ever. Your weight will come off with small changes every day.
Good Luck to you!!

1Kristine1

Good question.
I am experimenting with eating better at 1600cals/day right now. Haven't really started an exercise schedule yet. I am curious what the nutrition change will do on its own. However I do realize if I want to tone up I need to exercise and lift weights I am just not motivated at the moment.

betsy329

Well I feel much better about life now I hear all this P90x, and Jillian Michaels, and no carb/fat free mumbo jumbo, and just don't want to mess with all that. I am watching what I eat and exercising. I didn't want to do any particular program other than a reduction in calories, and increase in exercise.

slrrese

I started in January and have lost 20 lbs. I eat as healthy as I can, but I don't deny myself of things I just eat them in moderation and watch my calories. I started at 1200 calories and after I lost 10lbs, I increased my calories by 100 calories per day AND increased the intensity of my workouts (adding Intervals was a great thing to do for me!!) and the weight came off faster. After another 10lbs, I increased my calories another 200 AND again increased the intensity of my workouts. I am one week into that and a feel great and am continuing to lose weight. I am on a mission to be in the best physical shape of my life by the time that I turn 50 (next April). I am not here to just loose weight; I am also trying to increase my endurance and strength. This is my current workout:
Mon- 30 min interval biking
Tues- 30 min bike, 20 min weight lifting
Wed- 30 min interval biking
Thurs- 30 min bike, 20 min weight lifting
Fri- 30 min interval biking
Sat- 30 min bike, 20 min weight lifting
Sun- rest; although I do take a pole dance class in the evening an it is a good workout

I also walk my dogs most evenings anywhere from 30min to 1hr.

1Kristine1

Well I feel much better about life now I hear all this P90x, and Jillian Michaels, and no carb/fat free mumbo jumbo, and just don't want to mess with all that. I am watching what I eat and exercising. I didn't want to do any particular program other than a reduction in calories, and increase in exercise.

Same here.

joseejolie

I'm right there with you! I've lost about 25 lbs eating right and exercising. I'm converting to vegetarianism (or whatever you call it) but I'm being sensible. The thardest thing for me is being patient. I was to lose all 120lbs tomorrow lol.

ttaylor68913

Im not a success story yet(52days 10-12 lbs lost).. i have spent some money ( zumba dvds and good shoes) but i am going to do this with no chemical (slim fast, body by vi, hydroxycut etc) or medical (lipo, weight loss surgery, appetite suppressants) intervention. I got my self this big and going to get my self down to a healthy size come hell or high water. I walk 3-6 hrs a week,stationary biking at our community fitness center that is free do zumba that i just bought, biggest loser DVD's, and wii stuff that we already had.
It can be done I've seen it good luck!

ttaylor68913

Sun- rest; although I do take a pole dance class in the evening an it is a good workout

awesome! good for you. sounds like fun!

1Kristine1

For me since I have strayed a little bit from my "healthy eating" at times, I want to try and get that under control before I start adding anything more complicated like workout routines. I walk alot for work so I am pretty sure I burn a decent amount of cals there. I'm just so lazy right now. I am into group sports and activities like classes but I hate exercising alone.

Flyer615

Well I feel much better about life now I hear all this P90x, and Jillian Michaels, and no carb/fat free mumbo jumbo, and just don't want to mess with all that. I am watching what I eat and exercising. I didn't want to do any particular program other than a reduction in calories, and increase in exercise.

A reduction in calories and an increase in exercise is the ONLY way you can lose weight. All those other "gimmicks" that you're talking about are just another way of doing the same. That's great if you have the money for that sort of thing (I don't). I'm sure that some of them are just the encouragement that some people need. I'm behind them all the way. As for me, I just started watching what I was eating and making better choices. I can't honestly say that I've increased my exercise level, but by having more energy, I have increased my activity level.
You're doing exactly what you need to do. Endeavor to persevere!
Ken

MindyG150

2 things; eat as clean as possible and move...EVERY DAY. It's that simple

I too have done The 30 Day Shred, what I really liked about it most was that it showed me how much exercise is necessary every day to lose. Maintaining is a different topic

kevin3344

Let's be honest, it's 99% diet. As others have mentioned eat clean and cut your calories a little each day (MFP does that for you) and you'll win in the long run. Exercise will definitely help get you there faster, but the calories is where it counts.

I'm also a proponent of 30 day shred, and keep in mind I didn't have any to lose when I joined MFP. I joined for my sister-in-law who was looking for an app to track her calories. Once I got here I thought I could make some improvements in my running times by eating better. I've done a half-marathon and thought why not try 30 DS. I picked up the DVD from Target for $9, and while it was Jillian's DVD I figured a guy could do it to.

Well, I THOUGHT I was in shape, that is, until I completed this DVD! And if you look through the threads on MFP, others have had amazing results with it.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/345445-the-ultimate-before-and-after-30-day-shred-thread

You can lose the weight, but if you want to shape your body (as you can see from examples in the thread), you'll need weight and/or circuit training. There's also a book called, "The New Rules of Lifting for Women" that have gotten rave reviews on this site.

I'm doing Jillian's Ripped In 30 now and it's the best $9 I've ever spent. It's a great workout program and basically gives you a personal trainer for 20 minutes a day.

ldalbello

I lost the first 30 with no execise, just sticking with 1200 calories and one cheat day a week.

heidiberr

I exercised moderately. Ate back all my exercise calories.--It's all written out in my profile. And I lost 95 pounds. I call that successful

tkaawa

i did. no crazy gimicks...just straight up gym(hard core) and eating properly with a cheat day here and there. It's definitely possible and once you start seeing the results and the numbers on the scale going down..the excitement is unreal..makes you keep pushing for the impossible and proving to yourself that you can do it...

Kimmer2011

(raises hand) Me. I've slowed down since the beginning, but am still working my way down. Healthy food--not too much--and regular walks.

betsy329

I know that the P90 and 30 day shred stuff work, it's just not something I really wanted to get into to. Right now I'm doing aerobics 5 days a week, and the gym 1 day. I have my 1200 calorie limit. And just doing that has been hard as hell, I really didn't want have to get into a more extreme method of weight loss.

betsy329

You guys are all rockstars! Thanks so much for the info and good job to you all!

Alisha_countrymama

I have lost 115 pounds 60+ inches by watching my Carb intake, and walking. That's it. I started January 2010, so close to a year and a 1/2. Lost just under 100 in a year.

stetienne

I lost 25 pounds (my goal) since Jan. 2...walking every day at lunchtime and sticking to my calorie limit. MFP helps so much in keeping track of the calories.

betsy329

I lost 25 pounds (my goal) since Jan. 2...walking every day at lunchtime and sticking to my calorie limit. MFP helps so much in keeping track of the calories.

MFP has been the best thing ever for me! I am totally motivated, and tracking food/exercise like a BOSS! I keep telling everyone about it, and they are all like "Well yeah, where have you been?" lol

Dayna154

Im just over half way to my goal now..

betsy329

Im just over half way to my goal now..

Congratulations!