If you could give only one tip.....

kr1ssy23

Do what works for u. If ur losing weight, there is no need to adjust it.

Bub1971

Water Water Water Water did I mention Water lol.

c0untingsheep

Exercise and eat healthy because you love your body not because you hate it.

GrammaBonnie

Bump

BR3ANDA

Step away from the scale!! Measure you progress in inches instead.

Weight_less

Don't starve ever on Earth!

LittleNicci

Log every single little thing, even if it doesnt have calories, drink water and get moving :-D

nevertoolate2

When something goes wrong, which it will, don't give up

davidsgirl145

don't fill yourself with chemicals because it's labeled ''diet''. read labels! you want to be healthier, not just skinnier.

Aiddar

Internalise "The Decision".

I have found that having people nag me to lose weight in many ways just made me get defensive and did not help. Any actions I took to lose weight due to external pressures I found myself resenting. As a result, I would yo-yo on a few pound down, a few pounds up - overall not good.

In the end, I had a bit of a revelation - *I* needed to lose weight, not anyone else. In a year's time, unless I act now I will be the same weight I am now, but another year will have gone by. As such, it becomes a personal decision, an act of control, that I *will* not be the smae a year from now, and that the decision is MINE - no-one elses. Having supportive people around is incredibly helpful, but the decision must be yours, not theirs, and you have to accept it internally.

That said, I have a long road to follow and am just starting out - knowing it is a long road can be depressing, but each step along the way, each pound lost, is a proof that I am in control of my body.

Just my tuppence worth....

CurlyVonda

Pre-planning/pre-tracking is the main key to weight loss success.

trophywife24

stop listening to other people - they don't know your body, YOU do. Don't let people put their own insecurities about their weight on you, ever. Tell the people who question your weight loss to stick it. Don't listen to those people, ever.

Sugar is evil. Cut way back and you'll see a lot of progress.

amyrc12

Pat yourself of the back for even the smallest of victories, on and off the scale, b/c together they pave the way to where you want to be!

emisu2

Go low-carb, high-fat, moderate protein. You can't go wrong and the weight will fall off.

fuhrmeister

Do your own research!

it is grat to see what people on here thingk and what works for them and lots of peopel post great links. Read them! Doing your own research on things like the primal diet, how impt is sodium really, to fast or not to fast, cardio vs weights, vs doing both will give you teh real tool you need.

Besyt of luck to you!

LifeChangingExp

JUST MOVE!! DONT STOP MOVING!!

brewface811

Take before photos! They're great to compare to once you start losing and it really helps when you lose motivation to keep going

Spice_4_Life

Just plain ole WATER lots of it!! Good luck on your healthy journey :flowerforyou:

DaveC29

...

2. Please get off the scale at the following times:
-after you binged
-TOM (if applicable)
-any other time you are within a day or two after doing/eating something outside your "norm"

Nothing good will come out of you getting on the scale at these times and no you didn't "gain" 4 lbs-I don't care what you ate.

This- EXACTLY!! Don't freak out on the scale. Take an average of the past 10 days to get a good accurate reading on your progress! I have fluctuated as much as 7 pounds over 2 days- not physically possible to gain/lose that much fat over that time frame! (Unless you run 7 or 8 marathons back to back and survive!)

amyrc12

Do NOT get caught up in the Drama! Make this site a place for you to achieve your goals.

Well said!! and so true ... surround yourself with positive MFPeeps

Donners185

Never give up! It doesn't matter if you indulge for 1 day or 30 days just learn to draw a line under it and start again without the guilt trips because you are only sabotaging yourself when you beat yourself up too much! Just forget about it and start again. Easier said than done. This is something i really struggle with but i'm working on it.

sgarrard01

Never eat under the MFP net calories! 1100 or less is NOT HEALTHY!.... It will take time, and there's no way to acelorate the process safely above 2-3lbs a week.... so dont even contemplate trying!

MommyRunnerof3

Well I have 2:

First: Lots and lots of water! Water should be your best friend. Buy yourself a cute tumbler and carry it with you at all times. Mine is a 24 oz and I drink at LEAST 5-6 during the daytime. If you are not a big water drinker, give it time, you will get use too it and your body will crave it.

Second: Exercise! Doesn't matter what, could be walking everyday, lifting weights, Zumba, sports, whatever turns your crank. Just do it!

And of course, the reason why you are here: Track everything you eat!

Mesmareyes

Don't compare your journey with another's journey. Your results and experiences are going to be tailor made for you.

ehg87

70% diet 30% exercise

Living4Liz2012

NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

sewfairy1

If you are not hungry, food is not the answer.....THANK YOU - I am going to stick that on my wall - what a brilliant way to think about it. Just starting out on here so in the 'hungry all the time as I can never eat anything nice again' phase (I know that will pass!)
You have made my day! :-)

SPNLuver83

No matter what, DO NOT GIVE UP!

AmandaLou4319

Fitness is 70% diet, 30% exercise.

Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym.

pjstudev

Believe in yourself.
Prepare your family and friends for your weight loss so that they can be encouraging. When you go out to eat and order something healthy - don't worry about them - worry about you.

Water, Water, WATER! Stay away from caffeine and artificial sweeteners - they make you dehydrated and may trigger a hunger response.

Hire a trainer (if you can) or get a workout buddy to keep you accountable. I thought I could not afford it, but I lost so much weight that I got off of several meds. Those cost savings directly paid for my trainer.

Don't give up!!!! You can do it.