how did you do it

I've tried low carb in the past. Big mistake. I hated feeling like I was constantly saying "I can't have that. I can't have that." and it just wasn't a good fit for a working mom and wife. My family loves to do stuff together. We eat outside the house a lot. I needed a plan that would let me eat things I wanted, IN MODERATION. I've been doing this plan (counting calories) for two weeks now. The first week, I was hungry a few times and knew I needed to hold off until my next snack or meal to stay within my calories, but the second week was easier. i'm learnign what portions look like. I'm remembering how many calories are in certain foods. I love having friends rooting for me on here and sharing our successes and our failures. I have cheated ONCE since starting this plan but did I go over my calories? Nope. Did I exercise that day. Yup. I went to Hooters on Sunday to watch the game. I had buffalo shrimp, and one buffalo chicken tender, not breaded, I had chilli and steamed shrimp. No beer, no french fries, nothing fried. It was so good and I didn't feel deprived at all! I just logged everything into MFP before I ordered to make sure it was under my goal and then when I got home I played Just Dance 4 for over half an hour to burn some calories. I feel I have finally found a forever plan, not a diet. I've lost 10 lbs since 27 Dec 60 more to go!

I logged my food, moved more and.... (the most important factor)... I WANTED it.

The closest diet with a name to the way I eat is the Mediterranean Diet. I eat lots of vegetables, some fruit, whole grains, not a lot of sugar, lean meats and lots of beans and fish. I limit saturated fat, especially from meat and dairy and instead use vegetable oils, mostly olive oil. I eat when hungry and stop when I'm full.

I do that most of the time (probably about 80-85% of the time). But I still gained weight once I stopped exercising regularly. So, the way I lost weight was to start exercising regularly again.

i am not done but i´m done with almost 30 lbs, and what works for me is every step i take is something i can see myself doing for the rest of my life for example i cant imagine my life with out red wine or little candy now and then so i still eat a little candy now and then and drink red wine sometimes, but i can easy life without soda so i don´t drink soda anymore. and add exercise to my life so If i want red wine i work in the gym for every glass i drink. and rule number 1,2 and 3 for me is to count every single cal.

I logged everything I put into my mouth, took notice when I was getting close to my limits and then put the fork down. I also actively thought about what I was eating and how it would fit into my daily calorie allotment.

I combined this with a hella lot of exercise because it allowed me to eat more of the stuff that I want. Plus, it's fun!

Counting calories, carb macro set to 25%, exercise for an hour six days per week (combination of weights and cardio), no soda (I get bloated, even if it's diet soda).

My carb macro is low because I'm pre-diabetic. I have to use the link-and-balance method. It took me a while to get the hang of it, and the weight loss is slow sometimes, but I'm never giving up.

Eating at my BMR, calorie counting & calorie cycling, strength training 3-4 times a week, cardio 5-6 times a week, and water have gotten me to where I am. It's not easy but it's been worth it.

Counted calories, strength training, cardio, persistence, and dedication. That's all it takes.

this ^^^ with a low glycemic diet because of my personal body chemistry. I also have used a daily method of intermittent fasting mainly so I can eat decent size meals without feeling deprived but there are many other benefits