Does the weight stay off

well i haven't loss a whole lot but since the first prt of the year, i've loss 40lbs and i've kept it off. i credit alot of it to MFP--my MFP buddies keep me motivated but also I credit my determination to not gain the weight back. you'll have some days and the scale my fluctuate from time to time, but overall, I've kept the weigh off. Some of the weight i loss bf joining MFP, but since i've been using this tool, I've dropped an addtl 27lbs. The diary helps me ALOT--it makes me accountable for what I'm "taking in" and when I'm able to look at the many success (as well as "bad day") stories, it keeps me going and allows me to see that I'm not the only one challenged. I'm an optimistic--it can stay off; you can do it!

If you diet then go back to eating more than the calories required to maintain your weight then yes you'll gain.
If you initially starve yourself to lose weight quickly you'll inevitably gain it back - our bodies do not like to be starved, if we do that they start clutching onto and storing fat, so whenever you eat more they store all that too thinking that you might starve yourself again so it's keeping the fat in reserve.

Diet sensibly - lose small amounts regularly (aim for 1 pound a week on average) keep your calories up to a reasonable level. Change junk food for healthier options and exercise more, even if that just means walking more - you don't have to join a gym or anything if you don't want to.

I'm taking it all very slowly - that way I feel I'm more likely to keep at it and make a permanent change. Anything dramatic I think you're more likely to give up or confuse your body.

I'm 49 years old and have lost the weight at least 3 times and now working on the 4th with 15 lbs to go. I even had a Gastric Bypass in 2001. Therfore I think I know from where I speak.

It's a choice and about lifestyle. It was important for me to stop letting everything and everyone get in the way of my health. For me personally I must resist all temptation, because it's so easy to fall back into old habits. When I had GB surgery in the support group people were saying "I can eat 2 or 3 of those chocolate mini donut's without getting sick from dumping syndrome"! What!! I would say you should be making better choices not getting excited you can eat the same old junk. This is why many people who have had GB gain the weight back. It's called head hunger, you just want it, your not even hungry.

How did I gain weight back? I was still exercising, but I started allowing myself some treats. Soon the treats stop being occasional and became a daily event. Slowly over six years I found myself up to 206.

This time I'm taking a different approach. Food is FUEL not enjoyment. I pay much more attention to the quality of what I'm eating as much as the quantity. I'm mostly vegetarian/vegan these days. YES, You can lose weight eating less Taco Bell, Mc Donolds, Cookies, etc. However if you don't change your thinking about food, eventually you decide yes, I'll have some fries with that, yes I'll have three taco's instead of one. It's a slippery slope my friend.

Regarding the exercise, when you loose all the weight and you feel good about yourself it's so much easier to continue. It allows you to eat just a liitle more than 1200 calories without gaining weight. To quote a commercial "a body in motion stays in motion". Especially if you make it fun, dancing, hiking, swimming, bike riding or basically anything that gets you up off the couch. Turn off the TV and you find you have all the time in the world to do it.

I wish you sucess!

BTW It's not uncommon for family members to say things like your sister did. They are trying to derail you so they don't feel guilty for not taking better care of themselves.

So far I love MFP three weeks 11lbs and 4%BF, however my sister told me every weight loss program you end up gainning everything back. Has anyone lost a lot of weight and kept it off long term by just paying attention to what they eat and not having to workout everyday and can't cal everyday. I think this is a great way to lose and I'm doing good but what if I stop working out and just pay attention and make better food choices. Can I keep it off or will I gain it all back and more.
What's your thoughts

I think statistically your sister is right but that speaks more about human nature than how the weight is lost.

The bottom line is if you take in more calories than you burn, your body will store much of the excess. Try to use MFP to keep the incoming calories equal to or less than what you burn in a day and you won't regain the weight that you worked so hard to get rid of.

You can loose it and keep it off.

You are talking to the wrong sister, sister! LOL Remember when I was living back home, I was 170lbs? Well I am now at 124lbs. I have never returned. I have fluctuated a tad 10lbs but I consistantly go down. I am not trying to be a rail, just trying to tone and tighten up those hard to get inches on my arms and legs. Believe me you can do this, what you need to do is surround yourself with like minded people which I know is hard to do where you live. There is far less convenience and way more temptations. I have a suggestion...try to find a place that teaches bouldering (form of rock climbing that is moving sideways rather than up) and you will gain a TON of arm and leg strenghth in no time. Living in our hometown, I KNOW there is a lot of places outdoors that you can find rocks to climb on. If you ever need inspiration, just call me

Weight loss plans and diets? Yeah, you can gain the weight back.

Eating healthy and exercising? No way!

There is no diet that can do for you what simply changing your lifestyle and eating healthy can do, period.

Good luck, you can do it, just take baby steps and do not give up, NEVER GIVE UP.

Nothing sweeter than proving a mean sister wrong.

I have lost 60 lbs then gained it back plus 20, then 66 and gained back 40 of it plus all the times I have went down 10 and back up 10. It's no one's fault but my own. The first time I gained it back I was working at in a gas station kitchen. When I first started there I wouldn't eat any of the food, then I would only eat turkey subs with no mayo or cheese, but some where along the way I started eating pizza, cheesesticks and fried chicken sandwiches covered in mayo and multiple slices of cheese. Add all that to the fact I was living with 2 roommates who bought nothing but junk and wanted to shared groceries instead of buying separately, and it's no wonder why I gained it back. The second time, I can't pinpoint what went wrong, but I know I gained it back, because I eat too much and don't move enough. It's that simple for me.

So if your a person who has the mindset-I can eat whatever I want once I lose the weight, or I no longer have to exercise once I lose the weight-Then you're going to have problems. But, if you understand that your health and well being is a life long commitment then you will be fine. It's taken me awhile to get that.