Its great reading seeing success stories but...

Mine started out as a "knee-jerk" reaction to a diagnosis of diabetes. I stopped eating sugar (real or fake) just before lunchtime on November 22, 2011. I started reading labels and figured out a day's worth of meals that I could have that didn't contain sugar. I ate the same thing every day for about a month. Then, in January, I got on MFP. I sometimes stalk other peoples' food diary to get ideas of what I could eat. I started incorporating a better variety of food into my daily menu. I found that I really enjoy canned salmon, though. I eat it for lunch at least three days per week. Some of my coworkers started making fun of my "cat food" habit. I didn't think much about it until a neighbor had to call the fire department to get me out of a tree the other day. Most of my exercise comes from chasing mice and running from dogs.

dont eat junk and workout

I make sure I troll the forums every day and the weight just falls off

Probably the biggest factor in my success was running. It burns an insane amount of calories, particularly distance running. Also, I started out following the Southbeach Diet. It's not something that will work for everyone, I'm sure, as everyone is different, but I learned a TON about nutrition from reading the book and I've applied it to my every day eating. So far I've maintained my weight loss for over a year and still counting.

Not many have shared HOW you have done it? With so many variables it all gets confusing I would love to know what worked, MFP settings, sticking around BMR etc? Its great to see that something is working tho! :]

There are 1000's of ways to do it. Some people (most people) correlate what they did with the results that got, but correlation =/= causation. Essentially a caloric deficit to lose weight (does not matter how the deficit was created), and exercise to get in better shape (strength training for a more athletic looking physique) is all that is required, and enough protein so you don't lose too much lean muscle, and just look thin and out of shape.

All that really matters is that you don't give up. Burn more than you take in. Keep going.

i've changed my eating habits, eating between 1400 and 1600 cals per day and doing an hour of cardio 5-6 days a week (on weekends, split up into two 1/2-hour sessions) and burning around 1000 of it off. I'll eat back maybe half of that 1000 calories. I also do regular calisthenic-type stuff 2-3 times a week like push ups (lady style, on the knees lol), jumping jacks, crunches and squats. I'm addicted to whole grains like brown rice and whole wheat bread, prefer chicken to any other meat, take daily vitamins and supplements, and drink a TON of water every single day. I also make sure to NEVER WORRY ABOUT WHAT THE SCALE SAYS. If it goes down, fantastic. If not, oh well. I measure myself every Sunday before I weigh in. Inches speak louder than pounds. I'm worrying about burning off body fat first and would rather see proof that my body is shrinking with the help of my measuring tape. I invested in a very reliable HRM so I know exactly what I'm burning and I make sure I give my calf muscles and feet a good, deep massage after every workout so they don't cramp up.

I let myself go over my daily calories one day a week. I don't overdo it, I still keep my portions small, but I allow myself one or two things that I haven't had in a while and love to death so I don't randomly go on a binge on it when nobody's around.

And I don't care how long it takes me. Whether it takes me a year or another five or even ten, I will get myself back down to a healthy weight.

I eat between 1400 and 1600 cals a day on average and walk daily for about 30 minutes. I have a lot of weight to lose and from never ever walking anywhere to 30 mins daily is big for me. I have lost 17lbs in the past 3 weeks cutting out nothing. I find eating fresh unprocessed food is the best way to feel better, boost energy and be comfortably within calorie allowance. No fizzy drinks, just water with lemon or berries if I need a taste and tea. I still have carbs, have completely switched to wholegrain bread, pasta, rice but I have potato's about twice a week, no butter or milk etc. Just today I had some chocolate, only 15g but it was enough and I think as long as I can continue to eat everything within my allowance I won't feel like I am missing out on anything.

After YEARS of trying to lose weight I realise I wasn't really trying. I was invested short term looking for immediate dramatic results. I now know I am in this for the long haul and it is as much about changing and breaking habits and learning about what my body specifically needs. I love feeling energetic, I love the changes in my body and I love that I am excited about the future, events etc

I ate by MFP guidelines. Started at 1500 and am now down to 1200. I find it easy to stay within my calories because i only heat healthy foods and they fill me up more than junk. Lots of chicken, veggies, fruits and even wheat bread. I do not eat white bread, red meat, soda, chips. I walk often and am getting into jogging. I also have 2 children, a 1 & 2 year old who keep me busy and moving. Its all about just moving more for me, i dont have a gym membership.

Yoovie summed it up perfectly. :laugh:

For me, I started at 1200 and that lasted about a month before I realized I didn't have enough excess fat to lose 2 pounds a week unless I had a stomach flu. So I switched it to one pound a week, plus most my exercise calories, until I got within 10 pounds of my goal, then switched it to a half pound a week. The whole time, I ate at a total of 1800-2000 calories a day.

For exercise, I started with running and walking with Couch to 5k, then EA Sports Active 2 on the Playstation with 5# dumbbells, then just running, then heavy weight lifting using machines at the gym, and more recently, lifting heavy free weights at home (and still running).

Currently weight training 3x a week and running 3x a week, and eating about 2000 calories a day, but I'm probably going to increase that soon.

Long version... How everything I thought I knew about weight loss was wrong: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/709987-how-wrong-i-was-600-days-of-mfp-lotsa-pics