How did you do it????

I read threw the message board everyday looking for motivation from other people by reading there stories about how much weight they lost and how long it took them to do it, But what no one seems to include is HOW THEY DID IT. Example did you start off walking everyday or did you eat a certain diet and dropped the pounds. I am having a hard time and need to know how you did it so I can try some other techiques to try to lose this weight. im setting a short term goal of 20 lbs and I will go from there. Can you please give me some of your techniques thanks in advance

Replies

  • lauren31085
    lauren31085 Posts: 35 Member
    So far I have lost about 8 pounds by only counting calories. I'm only 5'1'' so I stay under 1200 most days. I've been seeing results fast, which I guess means that I was eating way too much before! lol. My plan is to continue counting, but also start working out. I think I'm going to do Insanity, but try not to stress out if I don't have time some days, because that's what I did last time and it really messed up my motivation. Good luck and I hope you find something that works, and motivates you!!
  • Cherie0622
    Cherie0622 Posts: 87 Member
    I started by first realizing that I hit rock bottom for me. I was 239 lbs. Seeing that number on the scale made me cry. So, step 1 would be to be absolutly committed!

    The first day, I joined MFP and logged everything I ate. Since this made me more aware of what I was eating, I started to make better food choices. Lots of veggies fill you up without all the calories. So, Step 2: Keep a Food log

    I realized that I didn't have to hit the gym everyday but I did want to work out everyday.... so the days I couldn't get to the gym, I walked for at least 30 minutes. Step 3: Move your body!

    There's a weight loss competition going on between myself and about 26 other contestants.... And I'm compeptive so that keeps me from making poor nutrition choices. Step 4: Friendly competition helps.

    I guess Step 5 would just be to EAT! Don't let yourself feel hungry. Snack throughout the day, eat small meals. But try to stay within your alotted calories.

    It's been 30 days since I joined MFP, I haven't even incorporated much strength training yet... (that'll start next week). I have lost 19 pounds.

    That's how I'm doing it so far. Still not done : )
  • brittany17love
    brittany17love Posts: 66 Member
    I start eating small meals, frequently. I keep moving, standing, walking, etc. Showers instead of baths, stand up and do your makeup and hair rather than sit down, little things like that. When I do sit down, I make sure I get up frequently to move around. I lost the bulk of my weight in three months. I am 5 feet tall in other words, I am very short. The 35 pound weight loss looks sooooo good on a short body especially! Everyone says now I am "so tiny." But I continue to stay on here because I don't wan't to gain the weight back!

    I drink alot of healthy drinks like V8, Bolthouse Farms, etc. to keep up a good immune system (:
  • hockeyfan87
    hockeyfan87 Posts: 206 Member
    I started my journey when I weighed 263lbs. I didn't do any form of exercise whatsoever. I think my biggest "wake up call" was when I went for a walk one day and I couldn't walk any further then 15 minutes. I got completely out of breath, I felt like my chest was going to explode. I knew it was time for a change. I started to cut out junk food, started to eat better, portion my foods and log everything that went into my mouth. I measured everything and weighed my food to make sure I was logging correctly.

    Exercise wise: When I first started on my my weight loss journey I started out with walking. I then progressed and did some dancing on Kinect. I wanted to do something that pushed me a little further so I started doing Billy Blanks Tae Bo. I was about 255lbs when I started Shaun T's Insanity Workout Program. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. I had to push myself every single day to finish....but I stuck with it and lost 14lbs.
    I started to do Zumba at home and absolutely loved it.....recently, I've actually started attending Zumba classes (Now that I'm more comfortable in my own skin).

    I now weigh 200.8lbs and I have another 21lbs until my goal weight. I have my bad days and good days. But as long as you get back on track, that's all that matters :)
  • redwan2001
    redwan2001 Posts: 286 Member
    I use to weigh 350lbs I remember using size 26/28 in pants. I lost 150 lbs on my own by just walking because I could not afford a gym and was not really in tune with weights at that point,I did the whole low carb thing and it worked for me, but then I got stuck at 200lbs. I had to revamp my exercise and my way of eating. You have to keep challenging your body and changing your routine. I weigh 165 lbs I haven't weighed this much since probably middle school. Sometimes you think your so healthy until you start to track what you really eat. That is why I love this program, plus the motivation you get on here is what keeps you going everyone has a battle and a story. Keep on motivating yourself and setting new goals for yourself if you need an extra buddy feel free to add me :)


    Nadia
  • kalieah
    kalieah Posts: 143 Member
    bumpp for later
  • ndblades
    ndblades Posts: 233 Member
    I lost 20 pounds the first 6 months on MFP. Then came winter, and I was too busy chasing my 5 kids and their sports, that exercise halted. I have maintained that 20 pounds all winter long (give or take the same 3 pounds going on and coming off). Now that hockey season is over and spring is almost here, I have resumed my exercise, and hey, I lost a pound this week! But for me, I focused solely on eating when I joined mfp -- Here is how I changed my eating:

    1) Breakfast, morning snack and lunch are as protien filled and sugarless as I can get them - it really does help ward off cravings throughout the day.

    2) I quit eating out - I had been eating out 2-3 times a week for lunch, often if was subway, which isn't all bad, but I opted to cook more and experiment with foods. I also quit the pre-packaged meals (lean cuisine, lean pockets, etc). I try and by my ingredients and mimmick what is in a package. The result -- on the occasion I do eat out -- I can hardly eat as everything tastes way too salty.

    3) Reduced my portion sizes so I could still have 3 meals and 2 snacks, but stay within my 1640 calorie allotment.

    4) Most importantly, I eat real food. I don't have "shakes" I dont' "fast", I dont' go low carb or paleo (although I do consume less carbs naturally because I try to eat more protien. I chose to put home made and home grown food into my belly. If it is fatty, I just eat less of it. If it is skinny, I eat more of it. I have plenty of days (like today), where I might eat baked french toast for breakfast (which I make myself) and gardettos for morning break - and when my daughter makes cookies -- i can't stop until I've had at least 3. I don't let it bother me. A bad day hear or there won't put on those 20 pounds!

    I still have 40 pounds to go... and if I lose only 20 pounds a year, that is fine. I am already better off than where I started. Now that my eating is in a place I like it, I will now focus on consistent exercise and weight lifting.

    Hope this helps! Good luck!
  • wdeidra19
    wdeidra19 Posts: 30
    how much have you lost with that stategy?
  • wdeidra19
    wdeidra19 Posts: 30
    WOW thats terrific!!!Keep it up your before and after photos are great. thanks for the advice :flowerforyou:
  • wdeidra19
    wdeidra19 Posts: 30
    Right now thats all i been doing is walking everyday maybe sson ill see some kind of results I wont give up!!
  • wdeidra19
    wdeidra19 Posts: 30
    thanks so much smaller portions got it!! :smile:
  • chica6578
    chica6578 Posts: 76 Member
    I read threw the message board everyday looking for motivation from other people by reading there stories about how much weight they lost and how long it took them to do it, But what no one seems to include is HOW THEY DID IT. Example did you start off walking everyday or did you eat a certain diet and dropped the pounds. I am having a hard time and need to know how you did it so I can try some other techiques to try to lose this weight. im setting a short term goal of 20 lbs and I will go from there. Can you please give me some of your techniques thanks in advance

    I was (correction- still am) just like you. you will see everyone's "i was this weight" or "it was here when i realized" and they talk about thier turning points and how they basically "jumped right in" well it really is a learning process if you arent familiar with just about everything (like i was... eeerr... am) it has taken me 3 months to finally lose 3 lbs. i was at 191 for so long i finally saw 188. But if you do alot of forum reading the most common theme for exersice is do something you love. But make sure you're moving. Count your calories. so you ask HOW DO YOU DO IT. Simple. eat less (bad things) . move more. it really is that simple. its not even finding a technique, it really is like Nike says "Just do it" and that was the worse thing i've ever done. it was so hard to just pick up the measuring cups and and measure my foods and just making myself do it. as far as moving goes. i try to walk for thirty minutes., some people like time some people like distance. so maybe they do one mile everyday, maybe the do 5. i like doing my workouts by time. and i lost 2 inches on my waist before i lost lbs. you really just have to watch what you eat. and burn more calories than you eat. thats the big secret. but it was the hardest thing ive ever done lol
  • emmymcq
    emmymcq Posts: 278 Member
    I have lost 21 pounds since January 1st. I have been eating no less than 1300 calories (most of the time, it used to less), I lightly exercise and only do exercise that I enjoy. I eat food that I enjoy and I DO NOT beat myself up if I make a mistake or lack self control. I am 5'3", my starting weight was 203, my current weight is 181. :flowerforyou:
  • LisaGirlfriend
    LisaGirlfriend Posts: 493 Member
    Well I haven’t done it yet, but I’m getting there. MFP set me at 1200 calories a day and I stalled out and got nowhere fast, killing myself at the gym doing spin classes and crazy cardio for a whole year!!! Then I learned about fueling my body properly and eating every 2-3 hours and strength training. I bought a Fitbit which told me every day how many steps I take (I aim for over 10,000 a day), how many flights of stairs I do (this makes me take the stairs at work), and how many calories I burn in a typical day (approximately 2,100 each day). I then decided to eat between 15-20 % less than my daily total which puts me around 1700 calories a day gross. I reset my goals on MFP and work towards that number every day. Sometimes I go over, sometimes I go under, but my weekly average is usually around 17% less than my daily burn.

    I’ve consistently lost ½ a pound every week since the beginning of January using this formula. I also let my gym membership lapse, walk to and from work every day (30-40 minutes fast total) and do some kind of DVD workout almost daily. It was Jillian Michael’s 30 day shred. Now it’s ChaLEAN Extreme 90 days, and she focuses on strength training with heavy weights 3 x a week with 2 cardio sessions and abs/yoga thrown in. LOVE IT!!!!! I also focus on macros, ensuring I get lots of protein a day and don’t go too high on my carbs (makes me bloated and lethargic). I drink about 14 glasses of water a day and quit diet pop and other crap drinks too. It’s been a long process for me but I feel great.
  • wdeidra19
    wdeidra19 Posts: 30
    Great job thanks :wink:
  • MoRaeNew
    MoRaeNew Posts: 35 Member
    Bump
  • wdeidra19
    wdeidra19 Posts: 30
    What does bump mean??
  • mwbulechek
    mwbulechek Posts: 162 Member
    I started out by cutting back on sugar. I cut out all candy, Ice cream, sweets in general. When I did this I lost a few pounds a week. I then stumbled upon MFP I continued to reduce my sugars and started watching my calories. I stayed at or under my 1700 calories almost every day. After a couple weeks into MFP I bought a gym membership. I started with about 20 min 3 times a week on the elliptical, I then increased my time on it and started going more frequently. I spend 1-2 hours a day at the gym now. I do take a day or 2 off here and there but often ride the recumbent bike at home on the days I do not go to the gym.

    Bump= Moving the post back to the top of the list
    Bump= Adding it to your wall to remind you to look at it or comment on it later.
  • RaineyLaney
    RaineyLaney Posts: 605 Member
    I started out slow. The first week, I started adding more and more fruits and veggies into what I normally was eating. (This changed my taste buds over where I was wanting veggies and fruits more than the bad carb stuff like breads, muffins, cake, cookies etc. I didn't do any exercising for the first couple weeks. Then I did just a little a couple times that 3week a few days apart. I did a few things with very light weights. like 1 lb and 3 lb. did a little streatching. Chased my dog in house playing hide and seek. Then the next week I did more and did it 3 times a week. I kept it at 3 times a week, but kept adding more and more into my workouts till I could handle 30 min without having to take a break. I also did 30 min walks slow at first, but then a faster pace. This is also party of the 3 times a week of working out.

    I just kept incorparating more and more "Healthier foods" I started to strive for at least 3 servings of fruits, 3 servings of veggies, one bread/cereal. 2 dairy (milk, yogurt, cottage cheese) and 5 servings of meat (these included eggs and cheese). I ate 1200 calories.

    As the time went on and my strength was better, and my eating was better. I would adjust as I could. I have now lost 51 lbs and it just seems second nature to me the way I eat now.

    I also could not eat the same thing day in and day out. I needed variety with my foods and my workouts and this is still true to this day. If I didn't change it up all the time. I would get bored with it and fall back on old habits.

    Good luck on your weight loss journey. I have an open food diary and also log daily. If you want to add me as a friend, feel free too

    P.S. I do not eat back my calories as MFP says. If have very good hard workouts, I do increase my calories a bit. I also now eat close to 1300 to 1500 calories daily.
  • wdeidra19
    wdeidra19 Posts: 30
    wonderful :flowerforyou: thanks for the encouragement :smile:
  • ravenforest3009
    ravenforest3009 Posts: 50 Member
    Hi
    I managed too loose 50kg in about 15 months. I would lie if i say it was easy...its a lot of hard work and willpower involved. But if you really want to do it....you can!!!
    I started off with small changes in my diet (less sugar, less bread, no take ways, no processed food) and add lots of vegetables and fruits.
    Counting calories came later, but i think it would have been good to do it from the start. Just don't go too low . Funnily but in order to loose weight you need to eat more...just the right stuff!
    Started also with twice a week with light exercise (if you do to much in the beginning its so easy to give up then). Find a good gym and take classes (if you sign up for a class you are more likely to go). I find it very hard to motivate to do exercise in the house on my own. Then gradually do more....
    Find something you like and is not a total chore.
    Good luck....you can do it!
  • Jim_1960
    Jim_1960 Posts: 399
    I planned each day first thing in the morning.
    Was a terrible person for coffee replacing food and eating crap when the hunger did kick in.

    Structure was key with breakfast introduced as mandatory, then lunch and evening meal.
    With a competitive swimming daughter dinners tended to be focused on her before training.

    I also exercised daily with the introduction of a lunchtime walk.
    By doing this I managed to hit goal from October to mid-Jan and still use MFP to maintain.

    Hope this helps.
  • xxghost
    xxghost Posts: 4,697 Member
    I've lost 16 pounds in just over two months. I've done this by finding a system that works for me. I work out almost every day, doing 30 minutes or so of spinning or running. A few times a week, I'll do 15 minutes to half an hour of core and circuit training. I take the stairs instead of the elevator. But I've also found a meal plan that works for me. I let myself go on eating things I love, but I am more cautious of what I'm putting in my mouth. I still do chips and salsa when I go out with friends on Wednesday nights. I still eat ice cream. When there are dirt cups in the cafeteria, I'll get one. But I limit this to a small portion once a week as opposed to how much I want every day. I plan my meals ahead, so if I know I'm going out one day, I'll eat a little less in the morning. I normally average 1500-1800 calories a day, with 300+ calories lost in workouts. I rarely eat back my workout calories (except on spinning days, when I burn 600-800 calories).

    Just find what works for you. If you do this, you'll fall into a routine that you can keep up for the rest of your life. Telling yourself you can only have a salad leaf a day will only make you hate weight loss and everything about it.
  • JScar1964
    JScar1964 Posts: 28 Member
    Lost 15 lbs. just eliminating sodas and fast food.
  • khall86790
    khall86790 Posts: 1,100 Member
    I started out with Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. It was just a random urge one day to be active after having a big lunch and weirdly, I stuck at it rather than doing it once and never again.
    That was in October 2012, now I am here and down 15kgs, I regularly go running and do other cardio work outs and my diet is so much better.
    I did just working out from Oct - Dec 2012, always Jillian's DVDs. Then I came to MFP in January 2013 after weighing myself and realising I was nowhere near my target weight. I hit my target weight 3 months later :)
  • NonnyMary
    NonnyMary Posts: 982 Member
    I'm VERY overweight, so the weight is coming off easier for me right now. There will come a day where I will be lucky to lose 1 pound a month... as i get tinier.

    I'm just following my MFP numbers, and staying away (for me) high sodium, and eating as much home made food vs restaurant food as possible.

    I'm not really exercising much. Its mostly diet that is losing the weight.
  • TheBitSlinger
    TheBitSlinger Posts: 621 Member
    I started in April by doing (barely) 10 minutes (less than a mile) on an elliptical. In May, I started logging my calories here and limiting myself to 1,500 calories per day. I now do 18 miles a week on the elliptical.