I need some encouragement that this will really work!

This has worked for me, I've lost 22 lbs to date! At first I wasn't even working out, and lost 10 lbs simply by counting calories and being more aware of the choices I was making and portion sizes. Than I realized it was unrealistic that I would keep loosing without working out, and started using Wii Fit, and walking more. Now I'm only 5 lbs away from my goal - LOVE myfitnesspal.com!

I started using this website Jan. 2010 because I was working out 3 times a week and not losing a lb. I was frustrated about putting in the sweat but not getting any glory. Secretly, I knew I wasn't losing weight because of all the snacking I was doing.

This website helps me to see what I am doing foodwise to sabotage myself and helps me to stay on track. This site only works by being honest while filling out the food diary - trust me there were some days I didn't want to log that bag of MM's that I ate. But just try harder the next day - we all need to splurge sometimes.

I have lost 10lbs so far.....I do work out 3x a week for 60 min each....I am not near my goal but it is a start. I hope you see those first 4 lbs fall off and then be motivated to keep it up. Everyone on this website is so encouraging. Good luck.

I am so happy I found this thread! I also just started this journey and would love to keep reading all these success stories. What do you all do when you have a "bad" day or "bad" meal? Also would like to know how some of you handle eating out. That is a tough one for all of us, I'm sure!

Although I am still pretty new to this whole MFP way, I just wanted to recommend that you check out SUCCESS STORIES in the message boards. There is some great motivation in there including before and after pictures. Whenever I feel like I can't do it, I just marvel over all of the many people have lost the weight in safe ways and have been able to keep it off. Good luck to you!!!

Ive just been doing this site (and exercise) and have lost 15 pounds since Jan 4. Yes, it really works!

I am so happy I found this thread! I also just started this journey and would love to keep reading all these success stories. What do you all do when you have a "bad" day or "bad" meal? Also would like to know how some of you handle eating out. That is a tough one for all of us, I'm sure!

When I have a bad day or bad meal, I just remember that tomorrow is a new day. At first I would beat myself up about it, but then I realized that everyone has bad days, and as long as you start fresh the following day, it isn't a big deal in the long run.

Eating out is definitely the hardest part, luckily for me I am a student so I don't get out to restaurants much. When I do though, I just plan for it, either cut out my usual snacks, have a lighter lunch or consider it to be a "treat day" and enjoy it - than work out super hard the next day!

I started right after the new year and have lost 12 lbs. Like many (most?) others on this board I tried working out without watching my food intake (other than the obvious things like do not eat fries or fried chicken) and always managed to gain weight. To the extent you want any advice, I offer the following based on my own experience:

1. Track as much of your food intake as possible. It is the little things like a handful of gummy bears here or a girl scout cookie there that add up. I just made my diary public today because I thought I would be more likely to admit that I exceeded my calorie goals (i.e. not cheat) if no one else saw. Keeping on plan is really tough at first, so do not beat yourself up for exceeding.

2. Track all of your exercise. I track the strength (even though I do not give myself any calorie credit for it) and it keeps me motivated to do one more pull up or 5 more push ups every week or so. I started without being able to do 10 pull ups, but now do 2 sets of 21 each day.

3. Set your initial goal realistically and then keep adjusting them as you make progress. I stsarted at 1.5 lbs a week, but switched to 1 lb after the first few lbs came off. It is just too hard to stay within the calorie limits at the higher loss rate for months at a time.

4. Do not skip meals. I know everyone says this, but I used to do it anyway. It is much easier to stay on target if you are never starving.

5. Finally, go ahead and start measuring your food to make sure the caloric values are correct for your meal. I drive my wife nuts by counting out chips or chocolate almonds, but if I just kep eating until I thought I had about the right amount I am sure I would always go over.

This really is a powerfull tool. I wish you the best of luck!

Believe me, I have tried just about every diet that's out there. I've lost tons of weight but gained it all back. With MFP it doesn't feel like a diet. I know I'm eating not just the right foods, but the right amount - that's the key! It has become a lifestyle change that I want to continue.

Logging in my food and exercise every day makes me feel like someone is watching and encouraging me to do the right thing - even when I'm tempted - and I'm tempted a lot!!

My ticker shows that I've lost 14 pounds, but it's really 24. I went to the doctor and found out my home scale is 10 lb light :frown: - so I made the adjustment.

If you use the log and do it honestly it makes you accountable for all the garbage you put into your body. I used to hork down crap without even taking a breath not realizing that 10 seconds of snacking just cost me a year of my life. As soon as I started using this site I've been dropping weight like crazy. Less than a month and i'm already almost halfway to my goal. If you take this seriously and use your network of peers (these guys are always watching how your doing) this site will fix you right up.

I'll jump on the bandwagon, too...The basic formula works. Eat fewer calories than you burn and your weight will go down.

I'm at six weeks and 26ish pounds down (I just blogged about it ).

Whatever it takes to get you to regularly eat fewer calories is what you want to do. For me (and for a few others, I can see), that means religiously logging what I eat so I can look at the list and tell myself "Self, that, there, was a dumb decision" and learn from it.

For me, the problem wasn't exercise (though I've certainly added more now that I understand better what's going on in my body), it was portion size and my habit of adding extra meals (mmmm...second dinner, anyone?). Logging my food helped make me aware of that.

Get some friends on here (feel free to add me if you'd like), share your diary (so you feel accountable for your actions), and keep with it...

I started on this site about a month ago I think, at first I felt like I was being allowed too many calories so I wasn't eating all of them.....don't do that!! I wasn't lossing any weight so I tried eating the amt it said to and eating the calories back that I burned with exercise and started losing right away!! I love this site and the fact that it holds me accountable. As far as eating out I always check out the restaurant's website first for nutritional info and pick my best option, that way I am prepared when I get there. I also plan ahead by eating lighter for breakfast and lunch if I am going to dinner that way I allow for the extra calories. I have two little ones at home so the gym is not practical for me, I use my treadmill and my Wii Fit has been my savior!! Hope this helps!! You can do it!!!

I love this site, It not only makes me feel like i'm not dieting, but my energy has increased drasticaly.
I exercise 4-5 times a week doing 60 on the bike then a few sets of strength training, I have eaten much better tasting food in the last 3 weeks then in years, all because I watch what it is, I used to hate tomatoes now I dice them up and throw them on everything- it's like even my taste buds are working with me, you know how every diet you start you can't wait for it to already be months into it and then 3 days later it's like oh who care and your gobbling down a whopper meal large size with a coke and getting dessert like your making up to your body for those 2 horrible days you denied it junk. I am already 23 days into it and can't believe it I never once felt deprived or frustrated, I just find healthier ways to make what I like, burger- turkeyburger on a natures thin round w/ 120 calorie potato wedges and salt free ketchup, Burgers & salt were my enemy, but no more.

I really hope you stick with this it has opened my eyes and I hope it will yours as well, if you have children, even mine have benefitted from this way of eatting, better attitudes, not cranky, wake up without a problem\go to bed without a problem, even my 8 yr. old son told me he feels better with the way we eat, when I asked him to explain he couldn't really, just that he didn't know he felt bad until now he feels good. , but I know what it is because I feel better to and now I will always remember that my children also felt the effects of unhealthy eatting.

Welcome to MFP! I've been using the site since October, seriously since late November, and I've lost 10 pounds so far, and I feel confident that I can lose the rest. All I've been doing is tracking my calories using the food and exercise log (I went from 2,000+ calorie days to an average 1,500) and trying to be more active. I love MFP because it makes the math easy, and I can find great support and information over here on the forums.

I am so happy I found this thread! I also just started this journey and would love to keep reading all these success stories. What do you all do when you have a "bad" day or "bad" meal? Also would like to know how some of you handle eating out. That is a tough one for all of us, I'm sure!

If I know I'll be eating out, I try to plan ahead. You can find nutritional information for most restaraunts online, or at least a menu. I pick out what I'll be eating before I leave home, and I stick to the plan. I drink lots of water and try one or two bites of the appetizers instead of eating half. If the portion sizes are huge, I ask for a box and put half away before the first bite, because I know I won't stop halfway if it's all still sitting on my plate.

If I have a bad day or a bad meal, I don't stress out about it. I'll get some exercise if I can, but if I can't - tomorrow is a new day. I'm looking at this as a lifestyle shift, and that doesn't mean being lockstep from day one and never stumbling. I'm just trying to learn new, healthy habits, and it's ok if sometimes I slip.