How long has it taken you to get where you are?

8/2009 I started my journey. Loving every minute.

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You ask how long has it taken us to get to where we are, well lets just say this has been an ongoing progress since I had my first child. The time when you have a child, and think Im gonna go home and slip right into my pre pregnancy jeans, and become very depressed that you can not get zipped, yet get them on, . That would have been August, 1997.
I have tried a million different things and I have bounced up and down, up and down, up and down, having three kids, several jobs (sometimes night ones). Trying and trying to feel good about myself. From weight watchers, to videos, to body system cleaners, from gyms, to workout buddies.. Nothing has fit as well, into my life as this My fitness Pal!
Everything about My fitness pal works, It motivates you, it moves you and it can make your whole life change. I joined MFP January of 2012. For the first few months to April i mostly concentrated on the moving part, I stayed in the gym from 2-3 hours a day. Yes, I had progress and it worked, but I had yet to ask myslef can I really keep this up, is it really ok to spend 2-3 hours of my day all to myself in a gym. When I have a highschooler, JHer, and middle school child all verya ctive in everything and a husband who refs basketball, and is part of many organizations etc...
No it was not possible to keep it going like that. I took a break as anyone would after working out that strong for that many months. I ended up gaining about 8 lbs of what I had lost and the "diet"went out the door. It was my husband who brought up the idea of purchasing "Insanity" online and trying it out together. I was sure, it will probably be like every other video I have bought. Just sitting in a drawer not being used.
Well it came and my husband and I religiously followed it and the meal plan the whole first round through, and I just completed my thrid month straigh this past week, down 32 pounds for the year (so far) and feeling better then ever. I owe it to my husband, my savior, My fitness pal, and to the mnay friends I have met along the way. Obviously Im still not there but I don't see it as a diet, I see it as a life change and a great big one!
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me along this joureny. I needed it to be healthy, happy and fit!!!

It has taken me 2 years to be at the weight I am. I started in 2010 at around 213, I gained another 10 lbs before I really started eating right. During that 2 year period I was also working out with a trainer and slowly gaining muscle. As of this morning I am at 228 and couldn't be happier. Just in the last six month I have lost inches in my thighs/hips and arms while gaining definition. Each journey is going to be different but the most important thing to remember for me is that I want to be healthy. I finished two 5ks this year which I don't think I would have been able to do 2 years ago. So even though the weight isn't coming off as quickly as I would like I am at a healthier place than I was when I started this whole thing 2 years ago.

Since my pregnancy, I've lost about 30 lbs. (But I'm not sure how much of that was all actual fat, since my data is from 6 weeks postpartum to now.) I really started knuckling down and doing the work around April of this year. So about 7 months. I have just 8 lbs left to go!!

I absolutely love reading and seeing all of the success stories but they don't alway say how long it has taken to lose their significant amount of weight. So, I would LOVE to hear how much you've lost, and how long its taken you. What has been your biggest hurdles? and how did you get over them? Congrats to everyone who's reaching their goals, and for all of us who have made the choice to get healthier......... can't wait until I'm able to post a before and after picture. lol Thank you everyone who shares their amazing pictures as well.

Great post!

I lost 21 lbs, and I started losing weight in the beginning of June, so about 5.5 months. I have been logging for 100 days in a row today. I had many hurdles at the beginning. My birthday was in August and for some stupid reason I went off track for TEN DAYS. By off track meaning I ate a whole cake by myself during that time, lots of drinking, fried seafood, cookouts, etc. I couldn't avoid what I was used to eating my whole life. It took a lot of time to slowly ween myself off of these foods (and even just eating less of it). Weekends are still difficult and sometimes I go over my calories, but at least now it's conscious and it's a decision. I figure it's a lifestyle change, and if I'm going to live with it, I need some pizza and beer/wine every now and then!

Getting over the hurdles: Not setting a time limit for myself, like "I need to lose XX lbs by this Month/day". That is setting myself up for failure, because sometimes when you do everything right, your body wants to hang on to everything for a while, and then randomly let the weight go. I got so frustrated with plateaus at the beginning, but I learned that my body will do what it wants. I just need to make the right choices and know that I'm doing right. And the other big factor to my success so far is MFP. Getting into the habit of logging every day was the #1 reason for my success, and my MFP friends are #2. The support is essential. I also am lucky to have a very supportive boyfriend, family, and friends.

I am not quite at goal yet ( 7 lbs to go) to make it official. I am approaching the 1 year mark in 10 days. I took the slow & steady route. I did not want to deprive or starve myself for a quick fix. I wanted to keep it off as I lose the weight. I am so proud to have lost more than 30 lbs. The formula was plain & simple which was counting calories & moving. It was not easy but it can be done. I started with 1200 calories & walking. I plateaued & started using the community forums which helped me evolve to eating no less than my BMR & no more than20% below my TDEE. I eat between 1400-1800 calories. I exercise daily at home ( variety of exercise DVDs, walking, treadmill, & stationary bike). What I truly discovered is no man is an island & you need support. I was on this site for 3 months & did not have MFP friends or engage in the forums. Someone reached out to me & gave me the encouragement. It helps when others understand your struggles. I now pay it forward & try to reach out to others & be very encouraging & supportive. My next step is to sculpt my body more. I will opt for a personal trainer & finally join a gym.

17 months to lose 180 but it was much faster early on and slowed down at the end.

9 months to lose almost 50 pounds, 15 pounds to go

My progress has been slow, but I've lost 15 pounds since January 1st, 2012.

Highest weight in July 2011 was 216.
Lost 10lbs, was 206 in January 2012.
Kicked it into high gear in February, lost almost 50lbs then to now.

Back to being more lazy in losing weight, I like ice cream and candy a lot. 1/2 a lb a week loss on average and I'm happy with that.

I started in April of this year and have lost 34 lbs. I've learned a few lessons along the way but most importantly I have to keep reminding myself that I didn't add the extra weight in a couple of weeks so it's not going to fall off in a couple of weeks.

Best of luck to you and keep striving for the change!!

I stay in #BattleMode

25 pounds, 4 inches in the waist, 8 months, stalled by one torn retina, 10 pounds to go.

I started getting serious about weight loss September 22, 2011. That was the day the doctor put me on medication for high blood pressure. I was only 37 and I thought that was way too young. So I got serious, joined a gym and hired a personal trainer. As of today I have lost 116 pounds. I am happy to say that my doctor took me off blood pressure medication a month ago. It hasn't always been easy. Alot of hard work, sweat and even a few tears, but it has totally been worth it. I have never felt better. I have about 50 more pounds to lose but I know I can do it. Good luck to you!

25 pounds 4 months