what have been your major eye-opening things you've learned?

For me it has been the sudden way my boobs are shrinking. I also am more aware of the foods and portion control.

I learned that my Colitis stays in remission if I eat clean. Anything processed and high in carbohydrates will cause a flare up for me.

I learned that if I don't pay attention to what I put in my mouth, the family history of diabetes will live on in me and I want to make that history...history!

I learned that I am not a food addict. I am someone who makes bad choices when it comes to food and I am learning to make better choices. [this was a HUGE one for me - always the victim....]

I learned to forgive myself for mistakes with food. I'm only human and learning something new sometimes takes time.

I also learned that my body can actually take exercise! And that I can be pretty kick a** at it!

I have learned

1. It is OK to take care of me

2. I ate wayyy more than I needed to

3. I am stronger (mental & emotional) than I thought I was

4. I closed other people off because I was so self concious

5. I can do any thing I want with hard work and patience

The biggest thing for me was that I was generally not eating enough! I know, how can you be overweight and not eat enough? I would typically not eat breakfast, barely eat for lunch, then be so starving by the end of the day I would come home from work and munch while cooking dinner, eat far to large of portions (and sometimes the wrong food), then continue to munch away until almost bedtime . . . or as in my husband's case . . . continue to munch in bed before going to sleep! I was still not consuming enough calories most days though, so of course everything I did eat ended up right on my butt!

Now my biggest advice to others is to eat breakfast. I can't beleive how much of a difference it makes to how satisfied you feel all day just by taking a few minutes to fit this in.

Mine are pretty much the same as everyone elses:

1. I ate way way way more than I should have.
2. If I don't get some sort of excercise and I'm stuck at home I snack constantly.
3. Exercise is actually good for you. ( I use to be scared that I'd keel over and die if I had any physical exertion.)
4. Healthy food doesn't taste horrible.
5. The most important thing I've learned is that I have stronger will power than I gave myself credit for! I realized that I CAN do this!

I want to thank everyone for their support and just know I'm here if you need me! Good luck everyone!

that 1400 calories is actually a LOT of food when you eat the right things!

I've learned that:

1) My portion sizes were my downfall
2) You can eat & enjoy your food whithout over consuming on calories, if you take the time to plan your meals properly
3) I can maintain this 'lifestyle' change (I'm not actually on a diet, yet I'm losing weight !)
4) Just how many calories a 'whole box of cadbury chocolate fingers' is & how much I would have to exercise to burn them off !

1. For me, learning portion size was key. Measuring and weighing was huge for me.
2. For me, I learned that I actually enjoy running. I don't push myself because I want it to continue to be enjoyable.
3. I learned that I am worth it.
4. I learned that the DH and kiddos will eat when they're hungry enough instead of complaining what I've fixed. I'm not a short-order cook.
5. I have learned that I need to be the example for my kids. I, finally, am comfortable with exercising in front of my family.

Wow, great input everyone.

For me it was portion sizes and being amazed at how portion sizes are still big when your not eating junk.
I rediscovered natural foods. Fruits and vegitables.
Spices are my new friend, though you have to be careful since some contain some pretty awful stuff.
Label reading is only hard when you dont take your glasses. LOL
I found out you can cook without oils or butter. HCG diet guys cant have it in the phase I am in, but I have learned some great new ways to cook.
I know that making this life change is going to be easy and that I will succeed for my grand kids.
I have found it is awsome fitting into all of my cloths for the first time in over 10 yrs.
I have found that I will need to make more money soon to pay for my new wardrobe next month, YAY.

I think thats it...

1. This doesn't have to be an uncomfortable experience. The only times I have been hungry were because I didn't plan my meals or snacks accordingly. Not because I am starving myself.

2. The stuff I was drinking was bringing just as many extra calories as bad portion sizes.

3. Being Fit is 80% nutrition. I've always been active and worked out, but continually did not lose fat. It wasn't until I started counting calories and wearing an HRM that I began to lose fat.

4. You need an HRM and Food Scale.

Totally agree about 2 tbsp of dressing being alot!

I have learned that I love fruits. I can't believe I would sometimes go a whole week with maybe eating 2 servings of fruit, in total, for that time.

I have learned that my downfall is cheese, and by simply controlling the amount of it I eat, I have far better control over what i'm eating.

I have learned that one does not have to deprive themselves of food to lose weight. I'm eating 1800-2000 + calories/day and losing consistently.

I have learned that basically any dish in a restaurant is unhealthy, even if it sounds healthy. In turn, this makes me less excited about eating out, as I usually just get a very basic salad where I can be confident about the calories I am eating.

1. I have learned that I need to log in all my calories in EVERY day, even if I go Way over! I need to see the numbers. I need to feel accountable.

2. I have leaned that I need to measure out my food! This helps me feel in control and has shown me that serving sizes are a lot bigger than I thought they would be. Logging in calories is a lot easier when I know how much I am actually putting on my plate.

3. I have learned that when I cook, rather than eating frozen meals, I can have more. I know when I eat frozen meals, when I am in a hurry or lazy, I am hungrier through out the day.

4. I have learned that eating only 1200 calories is very, very hard!! VERY HARD!

5. I have learned that I am hungry!!!! I need to cook more because these 10 oz. frozen meals just don’t cut it!! It is so hard being a full-time student, working, and trying to lose weight.

6. I have learned that exercising allows me to eat more. I hate exercising but I really want it to be part of my life. I want to live longer and healthier.

7. I have learned that being organized and prepared makes it eating well so much easier. I really, really need to pack lunch and snacks for school so I don’t eat fast food, or get so hungry at the end of the day that I eat a F@%K ton all at once.

8. I have learned that I eat fast food when I am stressed out!!! Finals are rough.

9. I have learned that I can't see that I have lost 20 pounds. The scale says so, so I am going to believe it and I am a pant size smaller.

10. I have learned that I gain 4 pounds when TOM comes. I have all ways heard people say “I am bloated” but, I never noticed it for myself, till now.

11. I have learned it helps me to write down goals for weight loss and exercise. I need to look at them over and over. When I accomplish them I feel great!

12. I have learned that I LOVE MFP!! I love everyone on here, all the great info. people share, and the all the wonderful support! What a great community!

13. I have learned that even though I have messed up on SEVERAL occasions, I don't want to give up!