Who has lost 100lbs and how?

OMGItsErinPratt
OMGItsErinPratt Posts: 48 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am at my heaviest weight in my entire life.... 290. I began my weight loss journey on Feb 21 and have lost a total of 21lbs. (gained 4 back over the weekend). Now I'm stagnant at a rough 273. :(

I NEED inspiration. I NEED help. I NEED someone to tell me there is a light at the end of this weight loss tunnel.



I need to hear stories from people who have lost 100+ pounds and what you did to lose it and how long it took you?

Thanks in advance!
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Replies

  • fattyfoodie
    fattyfoodie Posts: 232 Member
    My all time highest weight was 301 in 2007. Over the course of the next four years, I lost 100 pounds. I did it by making small changes in my life. I would set a goal to drink more water, and then I would set a goal to walk around the block twice two times a day. I started to notice a real difference when I started to use MFP to track my intake and exercise.

    I got down to 201 in 2011, and then my husband and I decided to have another baby. I put 40 back on, and now I am working to lose that plus the 36 pounds to get me to my weight goal.

    You can do it, but it will take time and effort. Good luck!
  • theseus82
    theseus82 Posts: 255 Member
    My highest weight was 318 and I'm down almost 90 pounds. At one point, I was down 120, but then I graduated from college and found that I had a lot less time for exercise and eating healthy.

    I started WeightWatchers in 2006 and had good results. I was not very supported by my ex, she consistently stored junk food in the house and did not make it easy for me to eat healthy in the least.

    I've yoyoed a lot, but consistently improved my habits over the past 7 years. I've learned a lot about nutrition and food preparation, and it has definitely taken time to figure out what works for me. I was a vegetarian for many years, am now technically a pescatarian.

    I've kept most of the weight off by never giving up on calorie counting and exercise. I've had bad weeks turn into bad months turn into a bad year. But as long as I recommit myself to eating healthier, I know that I will get closer to my target goal.

    Feel free to add me if you like.
  • OMGItsErinPratt
    OMGItsErinPratt Posts: 48 Member
    Thanks for responding!

    I just don't know what I'm doing wrong or what I could be doing better. I had one bad day... ONE and now I can't seem to budge the scale, no matter how much water I drink, how many calories i eat/burn... nothing's working. :( I know that patience is the key to weight loss but right now, I'm just super sad that i lost 21 pounds and now I'm back to 17.
  • AshCash803
    AshCash803 Posts: 35
    I am at my heaviest weight in my entire life.... 290. I began my weight loss journey on Feb 21 and have lost a total of 21lbs. (gained 4 back over the weekend). Now I'm stagnant at a rough 273. :(

    I NEED inspiration. I NEED help. I NEED someone to tell me there is a light at the end of this weight loss tunnel.



    I need to hear stories from people who have lost 100+ pounds and what you did to lose it and how long it took you?

    Thanks in advance!

    I highly doubt you gained 4 pounds in ONE weekend. Your body naturally fluctuates from day to day. You may be weighing yourself too often. I fell into this trap in the beginning of my journey. If you're going to weigh yourself more than once a week--which some people do--just know that you can't always take the number at face value. There was a 2.8 pound difference between my weight this morning and yesterday morning. I assure you I didn't actually lose three pounds in one day. It was probably just water weight and/or me using the bathroom.
  • OMGItsErinPratt
    OMGItsErinPratt Posts: 48 Member
    I highly doubt you gained 4 pounds in ONE weekend. Your body naturally fluctuates from day to day. You may be weighing yourself too often. I fell into this trap in the beginning of my journey. If you're going to weigh yourself more than once a week--which some people do--just know that you can't always take the number at face value. There was a 2.8 pound difference between my weight this morning and yesterday morning. I assure you I didn't actually lose three pounds in one day. It was probably just water weight and/or me using the bathroom.

    Thank you for responding. I appreciate it and you've given me a lot to think about. I weighed in on Saturday morning as I always do every week and it hit 269.8. It was amazing. Finally, I was in the 6's. Then after my dinner out saturday night and dinner at my parents house Sunday night, I weighed myself Monday morning to see just how bad I had done and the scale was sitting ugly at 273.8. 4 ugly pounds. It's been brought to my attention that although i did not go over my caloric intake for both days, it could've been sodium that was my culprit. But I've been working my butt off and eating healthy the past 2 days and the scale hasn't budged. :(
  • AshCash803
    AshCash803 Posts: 35
    I've so been there. Just keep this in mind: The weight didn't come on overnight (or a few days, weeks or months), so it won't come off in that short amount of time. Stay positive! Stick with what you're doing and don't allow yourself to become discouraged. Please don't weigh yourself every day if you become discouraged easily. Some can handle it, others can't. Good luck and stay positive!
  • vwkauffman
    vwkauffman Posts: 39 Member
    My husband has lost about 120 pounds, then gained back maybe 30, and now he's lost about 20 of what he gained back. For him, it's a matter of watching carbohydrate intake, drinking a good amount of water, no more diet soda, and exercising 4-5 times a week. He mixes up his exercise routine, balancing weight training with cardio. He does little things too, like taking a flight or 2 of stairs instead of an escalator or elevator, coming to the mall with me just to walk around, running around the park with our daughter vs. just watching her, etc.
  • whiteoutpen
    whiteoutpen Posts: 212 Member
    You've already taken the first step! You're on MFP! It's a great tool to keep you up when you're down. I personally haven't lost 100 pounds (I'm at 15 so far!), but my plan is to lose around that much, and get to a goal weight of 130. It's really daunting to think about- you're trying to lose almost half your body weight! But just think of all the things you've missed out on because you're overweight. Think of how you felt when other people had dates, and you didn't. Think about how it'll feel to wear a swimsuit with confidence!

    A great tool I have is an inspiration board. I wrote out every single number from 230-130, to show how many pounds I have to lose. I wrote every 10 pounds in a different color, plus every time I lose 10% of my original weight. And then I get awesome rewards when I hit those milestones! I hit my first one at 215 this weekend, so I got a new pair of jeans. Other rewards I have are a new pair of boots, and haircut, fitness tools, etc. until I reach my goal weight, and I get a whole new wardrobe! Plus, along with this info, I have inspirational quotes and pictures, and of course, an awesome swimsuit that I'll look fabulous in when I get to my goal weight!

    Keep your head up, and don't lose hope! Make sure to make tons of friends on here. Add me if you'd like, I'd love to motivate you!
  • KellyOnlySmaller
    KellyOnlySmaller Posts: 42 Member
    You can do this! I also have about 100lbs to lose, and I just know I'm going to lose it. I have absolutely no doubt. I think that helps.

    What has helped me the most is putting the scale away. I weigh monthly now, on the 1st of the month, and I no longer have horrible days because I'm focused on getting healthy... not just on losing weight. Sure, it's nice to see progress, and that's why I'm still weighing in monthly.

    I used to be a WW leader, and one tip that helped me and my members tremendously was varying our exercise and calories from day to day. Don't eat the same amount every day, and switch up your exercise. I HAVE to exercise to lose weight consistently. I believe that is a very important piece of this puzzle.

    I responded to your post because I've been there. I needed that inspiration too! I hope you find it here. I started being very successful when I realized I wanted to be healthy more than I wanted food. That shift of mind has made all the difference for me.

    Feel free to add me as a friend if you'd like :) I love to cheer on my MFP friends!

    You can do this! Just believe you can, and you will!

    Kelly :)
  • tmt2003
    tmt2003 Posts: 176 Member
    I highly doubt you gained 4 pounds in ONE weekend. Your body naturally fluctuates from day to day. You may be weighing yourself too often. I fell into this trap in the beginning of my journey. If you're going to weigh yourself more than once a week--which some people do--just know that you can't always take the number at face value. There was a 2.8 pound difference between my weight this morning and yesterday morning. I assure you I didn't actually lose three pounds in one day. It was probably just water weight and/or me using the bathroom.

    Thank you for responding. I appreciate it and you've given me a lot to think about. I weighed in on Saturday morning as I always do every week and it hit 269.8. It was amazing. Finally, I was in the 6's. Then after my dinner out saturday night and dinner at my parents house Sunday night, I weighed myself Monday morning to see just how bad I had done and the scale was sitting ugly at 273.8. 4 ugly pounds. It's been brought to my attention that although i did not go over my caloric intake for both days, it could've been sodium that was my culprit. But I've been working my butt off and eating healthy the past 2 days and the scale hasn't budged. :(

    It is the sodium, If you stay the course the scale will go back down. Don't weigh yourself everyday, you will drive yourself crazy. Really.

    Pick yourself up and move on. I never would have gotten the far if I'd stop every time the scale went back up a few pounds :)

    Don't stop!
  • CrazyC
    CrazyC Posts: 284 Member
    I highly doubt you gained 4 pounds in ONE weekend. Your body naturally fluctuates from day to day. You may be weighing yourself too often. I fell into this trap in the beginning of my journey. If you're going to weigh yourself more than once a week--which some people do--just know that you can't always take the number at face value. There was a 2.8 pound difference between my weight this morning and yesterday morning. I assure you I didn't actually lose three pounds in one day. It was probably just water weight and/or me using the bathroom.

    Thank you for responding. I appreciate it and you've given me a lot to think about. I weighed in on Saturday morning as I always do every week and it hit 269.8. It was amazing. Finally, I was in the 6's. Then after my dinner out saturday night and dinner at my parents house Sunday night, I weighed myself Monday morning to see just how bad I had done and the scale was sitting ugly at 273.8. 4 ugly pounds. It's been brought to my attention that although i did not go over my caloric intake for both days, it could've been sodium that was my culprit. But I've been working my butt off and eating healthy the past 2 days and the scale hasn't budged. :(

    It is the sodium, If you stay the course the scale will go back down. Don't weigh yourself everyday, you will drive yourself crazy. Really.

    Pick yourself up and move on. I never would have gotten the far if I'd stop every time the scale went back up a few pounds :)

    Don't stop!

    THIS.... BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!!! U CAN AND WILL DO IT!!! Baby steps, my dear... And, LOTS and LOTS of patience!!! I am trying to tell myself this SAME thing EVERYDAY!!! GL!!! :heart:
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    I lost my weight by counting calories and exercise, nothing special. Consistency and a food scale will get you there, true story.
  • sam308lbs
    sam308lbs Posts: 1,936 Member
    Being patient is the key.I am sitting here in my room at 5 in the night/morning with my fridge 5 feet away from me and i really want to eat something.But i won't.What i am trying to say is be patient because even if you lost all of your weight in 6 months,the struggle is far from over
  • morielia
    morielia Posts: 169 Member
    You lost 21 lbs in a month! You've already made huge progress. Don't get discouraged!
  • kazzsjourney
    kazzsjourney Posts: 674 Member
    Ive lost 187 pounds.....by simply exercising, eating well and definitely being patient and perseverence....best of luck :)
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I am 2 months from my 4 year anniversary....... I have lost a little over 3 bills and am 6 months post opt from a total body lift where they removed 17 lbs. of loose skin. When I started I had to start in the pool because at 560 lbs. I could not walk, standing was hard enough so I used water displacement to allow me to stand long enough to exercise. I spent 17 months in the pool and lost 170 lbs. before I was able to get fitted with braces and take on my own weight to exercise out of the pool. I watched my calories and my 3 main macro's (Carbs,Proteins, and Fats) and just took it one day at a time.... Best of Luck... :drinker:
  • caribear1984
    caribear1984 Posts: 203
    Well I haven't lost 100 yet, but I have two tips. First, drink calorie-free or low-calorie drinks. I was amazed at how many calories I was drinking. The second tip is, keep going! It seems like it will take a long time, but the time will pass anyway. Just keep at it, don't give up. You can do it!
  • fakesnake69
    fakesnake69 Posts: 14
    My heaviest was 312.8 on January 1st of this year. Almost 90 days into it and i'm down 28lbs. What has helped big time is This app on my phone and for workouts i do Jillian Michaels Body Revolution. I am on the final week. I have gotten way stronger as when i started i could do ZERO push ups but now do a dozen effortlessly. My goal is to be 200, so right there with you in the 100+ journey
  • Sarahmb1985
    Sarahmb1985 Posts: 11 Member
    I haven't lost that much..yet...but I felt the need to respond. I'm in about my third week of trying to turn my life around and stopping a lifetime of bad habits for ones that will save my life. Like many have posted before me, you can't be slave to the scale. I'm supposed to go to the doctor once a month for a weigh in but I still have the habit of hopping on the scale in the morning. It's a very bad habit HOWEVER I don't let whatever the number may be discourage me one way or another. You need a realistic view on things, your body weight is going to fluctuate naturally but what is more important is that you stay on the same track because you KNOW that the end result is going to be a healthier you. I stopped drinking diet soda (I was up to probably 1-3 cans a day) and replaced it with water and I log my foods on here so I can hold myself accountable for what I put into my body. I also try to do some type of exercise each day, if I don't want to go to the gym then I'll clean my house or put on some music and dance around. If you get discouraged find music that will get you in the mood, look at motivational quotes/pictures online, or find something pretty that you would really like to work towards. You can do it, the only person stopping you is you. =)
  • vintagesquirrel
    vintagesquirrel Posts: 190
    I have. Diet and exercise. Eat less, move more.
  • kmcosgrove115
    kmcosgrove115 Posts: 260 Member
    Can you open your diary? Personally I switched to whole food plant based - no meat, no dairy and no oil - and learned that 1200 that MFP suggests is WAY low and stalled my fat burning - I learned my BMR (amt I need to stay alive) is 1529 and my TDEE is around 2116 - so I less out 20% from TDEE - 3 weeks into that and just got into a size smaller jean and the 5th and last notch on my belt from notch 3 - as much as we are trained to eat less, it wreaks havoc on our bodies - we need so much more just to keep the heart pumping - learn your BMR and TDEE and less out 20% from that TDEE # - message me for help as I posted a huge post recently on all this and I can send you that link if you want................
  • bregalad5
    bregalad5 Posts: 3,965 Member
    There is no quick fix. We fall, and when we do, we pick ourselves up again, though some (*cough* me *cough*) stay on the ground longer than others.

    I say I started at 250, but I think it was more. I don't know because I never paid attention to the scale. It literally made me cry. All I know is that while living in Rome my pants slowly started to fall off me and I no longer had any clothes that fit. When I came back to the US, I weighed in at 225 and had dropped from a tight size 20, to a well-fitting size 16. What did I do? I walked everywhere.

    This is totally not an option for most people, but now I don't have a car. Because of that, I do a loooooooooooooooot of walking. I need to take the bus? I walk 0.7 miles to the bus stop. I want to go to the gym? Most of the time I walk the 1.6 miles there, work out, then walk the 1.6 miles back. A friend has been going with me lately so I have a ride there and home which just means I can do more while I'm there because I don't have to save any energy for the hike home!.

    I sabotaged myself last winter when I visited my family and got completely off track. Too many cookies! That plus some personal *kitten* made me gain back 40 of the 60 pounds I had lost, but I'm back on track now and determined to stay on the bandwagon.

    Honestly, though, start with whatever you can do. You're not going to magically wake up and be able to run a 5k, but if that's something you want to do, go download the Couch to 5k program. You're not going to magically be able to leg press your body weight, but if that's something you want to do, start with a smaller weight and work your way up. Bite sized pieces: not only in your diet but also in your exercise :smile:
  • MochaMixAZ
    MochaMixAZ Posts: 844 Member
    Do a search on the forums or just browse success stories - tons of inspiration to be had.

    No secret sauce in my eyes, simply more good decisions than bad ones - for food, activity, and all things healthy. Burn a little more than you consume more days than you don't. Don't let a bad day, week, or even month derail you from the long-term goal. Keep in mind it IS a long-term goal... and a solid, healthy loss shouldn't exceed more than 1.5-2 pounds a week. Period.

    I really don't think it matters what you eat or what plan you follow as long as it's sustainable and works for you. Hopefully it's a plan that can mesh with the rest of your life and those in it... and one that builds your body instead of causes a deficit. In my humble opinion, anything that smells of gimmick, low calorie, fast, or sugar-free is a bad idea. ((I'm already preparing for all the messages I'll receive touting how wonderful Splenda is and I don't understand "clean" eating.)) Please reread previous statements - find success in what works for you. If that includes Splenda, great. When I saw my best success, is was in avoiding it and eating more whole foods. Stopped my food-addict cravings, too. For the record, I've had a terrible month, have seen a gain, and re-introduced junk food in my diet... and I'm paying that price. But it speaks to my thoughts that it's about long-term goals and it's always worth striving for and turning the boat around. Getting back on track and on to continued success.

    My very best to you!
  • jmc0806
    jmc0806 Posts: 1,444 Member
    I did it by changing my eating habits and moving more... I used to eat fast food constantly because it was quick and easy but I've maybe had it 4 times in the past 15 months now. I was lazy before and I made myself go for 30 minute walks during my lunch everyday when I started. Eventually I started walking more after work and now I bike 17-20 miles at a time
  • emancipateurself
    emancipateurself Posts: 175 Member
    Honestly it's all about just sticking to it and keep going. You will falter and fall down it's only human but you gotta pick yourself back up and you have to want it more then you have ever wanted anything in your life.

    I always struggle and can flucate 10 pounds in a couple days.....I have learned though to step away from the scale....only weigh yourself once a week if you have to. Do not let the scale determine your mood . I will plateau every ten pounds down for 12 weeks.....then drop again. So if I listened to the nasty scale I would be nowhere.

    Good luck on your journey.
  • Phoenixchichima
    Phoenixchichima Posts: 416
    you can do it, just realize ups & downs. A lot of folks recommend not doign this but I weigh myself every day & I do go up 3 lbs over a week end and I"m short, really short. its one way to monitor sodium :wink:

    what time of month is it? I absorb water from teh air at the wrong time. but in the interim, drink water & try to get a little extra walking in, maybe a vitamin c or b which are both diuretics
  • agoofynut
    agoofynut Posts: 101 Member
    I've lost 128 since Nov 2011. Not setting any speed records, but considering I weigh less at age 35 than I did at age 15, I'm pretty happy with it. I still have 72 to go to reach a healthy BMI. Consistency is the key. If you consistently track what you eat and consistently burn more than you eat, you will lose. Yes, you will get "stuck" from time to time, but if you stick with it the scale will start to move again. I recently had a few weeks where I'd lose .2 or .4, just to gain .6, and then lose .2 the next week. Frustrating, but finally I had a big loss that almost made up for the weeks of almost no losses. The body lets go of weight when it wants to and not before. Find what works for you. I still tend to eat junk, but in smaller portions and with healthy stuff thrown in (before pretty much nothing healthy ever). Make small changes and over time each small change comes together to be the big change you're looking for.
  • acastro1574
    acastro1574 Posts: 11
    I highly doubt you gained 4 pounds in ONE weekend. Your body naturally fluctuates from day to day. You may be weighing yourself too often. I fell into this trap in the beginning of my journey. If you're going to weigh yourself more than once a week--which some people do--just know that you can't always take the number at face value. There was a 2.8 pound difference between my weight this morning and yesterday morning. I assure you I didn't actually lose three pounds in one day. It was probably just water weight and/or me using the bathroom.

    Thank you for responding. I appreciate it and you've given me a lot to think about. I weighed in on Saturday morning as I always do every week and it hit 269.8. It was amazing. Finally, I was in the 6's. Then after my dinner out saturday night and dinner at my parents house Sunday night, I weighed myself Monday morning to see just how bad I had done and the scale was sitting ugly at 273.8. 4 ugly pounds. It's been brought to my attention that although i did not go over my caloric intake for both days, it could've been sodium that was my culprit. But I've been working my butt off and eating healthy the past 2 days and the scale hasn't budged. :(

    Something I learned about weighing my self..Always do it the same day specially y you cheat a little on weekends like I do. Therefore I always weigh my self on Friday mornings before I start cheating a little on Saturday and Sunday, Im pretty sure that if I weigh myself on Monday I ll be over a couple of pounds and it probably wont be because I gained fat, its probably just more food in my stomach. I try to weigh myself about every two weeks, unless I feel I have lost weight within a week, then I ll go for it.
  • tlheppler
    tlheppler Posts: 52 Member
    I started on 8-28-12 at 332.4lbs. I have been heavy all my life, I mean all my life. I turned eight and grew out instead of up. I have never been an athlete, however my 6 siblings have been, so it’s in my genes.

    In the beginning, I walked. I started walking 30-60 minutes 6 days a week at a 3-3.5 mph pace. I logged everything and initially ate below 1950 cals a day. I don't have a smartphone (yet) so I get on the computer and log it all. I never ate my exercise cals back. After about 30 lbs lost my pace picked up to 3.5-4 mph, a fast walk. And I did a combination of 60 minutes walking and 45-60 minutes on the recumbent bike I bought years ago that has been a clothes hanger. :-) I walked 3 days a week and biked 3 days a week.

    When I got down to 275 I started with a really short run walk interval of 30 seconds running and 2 min walking I think. My goal has always been to run a marathon on July 4th 2013, so I know I needed to start to run. (Being fat I always avoided running like the plague). I eventually got on Jeff Galloway system on interval running. It is great; check it out if you want to run.

    As I lost more weight and my joints cooperated. (I had-have a knee that can hurt do to "overuse") I ran more and walked less. I found that if I pushed it too hard I would hurt something, so I do all I can to stay injury free so I can keep progressing. One thing I do pretty regularly is taking an ice bath after a hard run/workout, which improves my recovery time from sore muscles by 60-70%. It’s amazing. Just fill the bath with all cold water and sit in it for 20-30 min.

    As I lost weight I lowered my calorie max 1st to 1700, and I currently have it set at 1590, however I will vary from 1300-1590 cals a day. I also track my sodium and potassium; I like to keep them balanced, its what works best for me and not retaining water, or having bad cravings.

    Currently I am at 225 lbs and I have generated a whole 6-month training calendar based on Jeff Galloway's teachings to get me through the marathon. I basically have a 30 min run on M, W. On Sat. I have increasing long runs from 7-23 miles every 3 weeks or so. In between weeks I run shorter distances and also do a "Magic Mile" which is running mile as fast as I can and then use those times to set my run/walk intervals per Jeff's system. Last Sat. I was to do a 12-mile run, but I thought I would do a local half marathon with a runners club instead. On T, TH I do a walk or an On Demand TV workout for strength in core, upper body. Try to mix it up.

    I guess those are parts of my story, I hope it is what you were wanting, thanks for asking, I wish you all the best
  • dgljones
    dgljones Posts: 89
    I started at 343 last Friday I weighed in at 203, so 140 lbs so far.
    My diet has changed and developed over the time I have been on the diet, but I am now a 'non obsessive' vegan, by that I mean there was feta on my barbecued tempeh sandwich the other day and I didn't scrape it off or anything, but I wouldn't have made it that way myself.
    For me the secret of my success is building my meals around varied vegetables and then adding grains, fat and lean protein.
    That and of course keeping my calories around goal and getting regular exercise.

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