How did you do it?

BoatReadyBody

#1 tip.... log log and log. don't skip even if your over your limit. Don't cheat just change. Plus eat smaller portions of eveything restriction only makes you want it more.

ashlbubba

Don't take a day off from logging... if you go over calories (which you're going to do) always log it... you're only lying to yourself if you don't count those 3 glasses of wine or whatever... the day that I logged all my food and found out if I ate like that everyday for 5 weeks I'd GAIN weight was a big moment for me!

Skinny Cow Ice Cream is good and ~150 calories!

BenKnowsFitness

you've opened Pandora's box with this post. The MFP database may not be able to hold all the responses. :bigsmile:

Here's how I did it. It started with Work, Work, Work, Work............ After that I slacked off a bit and started getting fatter. Then I figured out how to get back on track. Work, Work, Work, Work............

Now that my smarty pants response is done I'll move to a more serious answer.

Less Calories but not too few. Followed MFP guidelines but did not eat back exercise cals. Kept the bad stuff off the menu but did not go crazy with the good stuff. Just easy on the calories.

4 cardios per week, 1hr each, HR 140 to 160BPM. Any exercise as long as the HR stays in the zone.

3 strength trainings a week for at least 1/2 each. Train every muscle equally.

BenKnowsFitness

Exercise. Plain and simple. I started in November 2011 to prove that exercise wouldn't work for me. Damned if it did.

Sounds too easy. You must be hiding some secret.

ChadB74

I was up at night watching TV thinking to myself, I'm tired of being fat but never doing anything about it. I then went online and researched weight loss apps. I came across MFP. i downloaded it on 09/10/12 and starting following the calorie goals it gave me. Mind you no exercise, just 4 meals a day that didn't exceed my daily goal. Well all I can say is follow the calorie goal, when your ready, join a gym for cardio/strength or just go for 30 minute walks. 52 days later and I weigh 28lbs less...who would have thought just counting calories without any fancy weight loss gimic diet or pills you could acheive these results... Good Luck

lachesissss

Stuck with it. Used the tools MFP gave me told hold myself accountable to what I was eating and how much I exercised. Pushed myself, hard. Ate with moderation. Didn't jump onto a fad diet bandwagon, didn't beat myself up for a bad day, didn't give into the urge to binge. Found an exercise I liked and stuck with it, found ways to challenge myself with it, and improve myself through it. Didn't let PMS be an excuse to wreck my week. If I fell off, I got back in the saddle. Found that willpower, self control and sweat was more addictive than chips and McDonalds. Learned to love myself, everyday I work on it.

zaph0d

When just starting out, I simply ate good food regularly and started working out religiously. That got me from overweight / borderline obsese to normal. At some point I started counting calories because I wanted to get down to a pretty low body fat percentage.

Crochetluvr

You have to change your relationship with food. Food is to keep your body healthy FIRST....something to enjoy second.

ChancyW

I've lost 34lbs since June and my biggest tip would be to eat as clean as you can. If you eat junk, you'll want more junk. Just stay away from it as much as possible. Your calories will also go a lot further eating clean. I just stopped eating junk and I don't miss it at all.

Also, be patient. I only lost 2lbs in all of September. It will eventually come off if you keep doing the right things, so don't give up!!

So true!!!! Eating junk really does make you want more junk. Keep it clean!

klcalliari

Don't "expect" a certain number on the scale... You're just setting yourself up for disappointment because i rarely lost what i thought i "should"... but because I never gave up i'm currently down 73lbs within 15 months of having a baby... just keep it up!

twinkychops

Don't let a bad day or two discourage you.

FAB tip!

MinnieInMaine

NEVER give up!!

If something's not working, ask for suggestions from friends and the message boards and try a new approach (or 3 or 4).

if you're bored with your food or exercise, try something else.

Plan, prepare, track consistently and honestly.

And above all, learn patience! This is not Biggest Loser, you're not Beyonce or Angelina Jolie, you're not even your friend or neighbor, you're someone with his/her own challenges, health issues, etc and it may take you longer to get there than someone else but with time and commitment and determination, you will get there!