For those who have been successful

Tashmayes

I've been successful in the past with weight loss (lost 90lbs) and I having a little success this time.. so I know what works for me... That being said, I'm always curious to what works for others. How many calories a day do you eat? What kind of foods? Exercise? etc... Please share. It might be good for newbies to read!

WilliamsPeggy

So what DOES work for you? You share first.

Tashmayes

So what DOES work for you? You share first.

Tons of water. Lots of exercise. Eating my carbs early in the day. No processed sugars. Those are my biggies! Currently I'm at 1200 cal/day but will up that sooner than later.

Wonderob

Small meals 6 or 7 times a day
Heavy lifting at the gym
Regular cardio
Increase protein intake

But by far the most significant

Count calories

mollyW2012

Small meals 6 or 7 times a day
Heavy lifting at the gym
Regular cardio
Increase protein intake

But by far the most significant

Count calories

Yup.

TeddyBear47

I eat 1500 calories a day. I exercise 5 or six days a week, lift 3 days a week. I don't eat my exercise calories back.
The staples of my plan are, Turkey, multi grain bread, fiber cereal, laughing cow cheese, yogurt and granola bars.
My only criteria is Fiber, Protein and water.
DO WHATEVER YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH AND CAN SUSTAIN!!!

ipsamet

I DO eat my exercise calories back, 2,200-2,800 calories a day - find I don't lose weight if I don't eat enough (THAT was a frustrating few weeks). Exercise 6 days of week, good mix of cardio and weights. Lots of water.

Most of all: finding something that I enjoy. Getting myself to the gym was BRUTAL until I figured out where my passion lies. Now I have no problem (well, most of the time) getting up at or before 6 three times a week to get my work out in before work, and then doing it again at night.

skmolove

In a little more than 7 months i'm down 34 pounds (5lbs/mth on average). Tip #1~ count calories- for me 1700/per day since day one and have NOT decreased. Tip #2~ eat excercise calories back. Tip #3~ NO food is off limits -this is a life style change NOT a diet. Tip #4~ mindful eating -is it what I NEED, am I making the right choice?

Good Luck to ALL

carld256

I do my best to keep an accurate food log by weighing and measuring everything. I normally exercise off 600 calories a day on the treadmill and eat between 1700-2000 calories a day.

alanabeehave

Most days I burn between 600-1000 calories, MFP goal is set at 1600 but after exercise it's about 2700, I usually eat around 1800... So far my energy is good. 1200 calories isn't nearly enough for an active female, we use 1200 just for our body to function, not much goes towards burning fat and if it does, there's likely and organ or muscle who's paying for it.
I eat whatever I want (luckily I crave whole foods) as long as its within my goals but my staples are eggs, grainy bread, yogurt, lotsa veggies, a lil bit of fruit and lean meats. I meet my friends once and awhile for cake and tea I also eat a lot of brown rice sushi. yum!
For exercise, I walk my pooch twice a day for 45-60 mins and make sure to take routes where i know there will be hills and stairs, I bike to and from work 3-4 times a week (14km) and I do crossfit style workouts with a trainer 3-4 times per week. I also commute on foot or bike anywhere and everywhere. Oh, and I'm a waitress at an insanely busy diner (I don't log work)

AnvilHead

I've lost 28 pounds and about 6% bodyfat in just over 4 months. I drink plenty of water, eat at a reasonable deficit (above BMR, below TDEE) and hit my protein/carb/fat macros pretty closely. I lift weights 3x/week and do 2-3 light cardio sessions a week. I don't eat exercise calories back, as my deficit is set at between 75-80% of my TDEE. I eat some semblance of "clean", but no food is off limits for me...I'm not above the occasional burger and fries, pizza or even a few beers on the weekend. I've even chucked it all out the window and gone nuts for a couple days a time or two, missed plenty of workouts, etc. No big deal, just get back on the horse and get back to it. Don't turn a minor setback into full-blown drama.

I don't subscribe to any of the broscience (don't eat after a certain hour, 'x' meals per day, "magic" fat-burning supplements, eat for your blood type/body type, etc.) I keep it as simple and sustainable as possible and it's working for me. In the absence of certain medical conditions, weight loss isn't rocket science - eat less (but *enough*) and move more.

sevencallmemom

Low carb, and what carbs I do eat are from fruit, veg and dairy, drinking tons of water and exercising more than the people around me think is sane.

Mostly the key has been forgiving myself when I do eat "off plan" (because life happens) and moving on right away...not even waiting till the next day. Guilt and shame are not good diet buddies.

Tashmayes

Thanks all. I know I need to up my calories but it scares me! I"m seeing a loss right now and i don't want it to stop!!

IcassI

For me, I have been successful with doing the Turbo Fire at home work out program. I used the formula provided in the book that came with the program to figure out how many calories I should eat. I lost 31 lbs in five months and I tried to eat clean a good amount of time. There were days where I cheated and went over my calories but I always kept working out. I'm now at my goal weight but I am still counting to tighten up and build muscle using ChaLean Extreme.

LoraF83

Counting calories - usually anywhere from 1800-2100 a day

Regular exercise and pushing myself to achieve new goals

Trying to eat healthy most of the time, but indulging in old favorites sometimes

Realizing that I like being healthy and fit a whole lot better than I liked being fat and lazy.

InnerFatGirl

Sticking to my calories as much as possible.

That, and patience. I started my journey 17 weeks ago, on the 13th March. I reached my halfway point (24lbs) exactly three months after that. Some people expect to lose all the weight in a few months. It was certainly daunting to me when I'd just started out and was thinking "48lbs to go? Sigh". Now, I am only 17.5lbs away from my goal.

It's not been easy. It sucks counting calories and exercising self control. Every other week, I just don't lose any weight, and it's annoying. But nothing beats stepping on that scale, and seeing it's lower than the last time. Or waking up in the morning, and seeing I've lost another inch off my waist. Or clothes getting too big for me.

For the record, I don't exercise

bbbsmama

Well, since joining the forum, I feel like I am not doing it right. What I have been doing is about 800 calories a day, lots of water, 6 days of exercise (cardio, weights, core), don't eat after 7pm, only drink water or unsweet tea, and cut portions in half. But I guess I should be eating all of my 1200 allotted calories? I have lost 28 pounds in 7-8 weeks.

jealous_loser

Well, since joining the forum, I feel like I am not doing it right. What I have been doing is about 800 calories a day, lots of water, 6 days of exercise (cardio, weights, core), don't eat after 7pm, only drink water or unsweet tea, and cut portions in half. But I guess I should be eating all of my 1200 allotted calories? I have lost 28 pounds in 7-8 weeks.

Just my opinion, but if you are that active and eating that little, you are going to run into problems sooner or later. If you plateau, are you just going to stop eating or something?

Also, you have lost 3.5-4 pounds a week? Yikes, that is a little fast to be too healthy.

_stephanie0

Well, since joining the forum, I feel like I am not doing it right. What I have been doing is about 800 calories a day, lots of water, 6 days of exercise (cardio, weights, core), don't eat after 7pm, only drink water or unsweet tea, and cut portions in half. But I guess I should be eating all of my 1200 allotted calories? I have lost 28 pounds in 7-8 weeks.

NET at least 1200, your body needs that. you will cause a lot of damage in the long run if you dont... plus if you increase your calories you will have more weight loss....win win!!