To those that have lost....

I don't know if I qualify as having lost a significant amount of weight but I'll give my two cents anyway.

Eating:

I eat whatever I feel like. I make sure I hit my calories and macros.

For dinner, I usually pick a meat (chicken, turkey, beef, etc) and then center the dish around it. Add in some veggies, maybe some pasta or rice depending on how many calories I've got for the day. I almost always have a serving of ice cream after dinner. (personal preference). Or if I'm craving a certain dish, I make it to fit my calorie/macro budget for the day.

For lunch I usually stick to either chicken & rice or veggies, soup, salad, sandwiches, or wraps.

Exercise:

I started out on the elliptical, moved to the 30 day shred, then got into running with the C25K program, then I did Insanity, and now I'm lifting (stronglifts 5x5 program) and running.

My recommendation is to find something you enjoy doing because the likelihood of adherence will be better.
There are so many options out there. I'd recommend a combo of both cardio and weight lifting/training.

Basics:

Maintain a caloric deficit (what is required for weight loss) and exercise regularly.

Good luck. :flowerforyou:

I don't know if I qualify as having lost a significant amount of weight but I'll give my two cents anyway.

Eating:

I eat whatever I feel like. I make sure I hit my calories and macros.

For dinner, I usually pick a meat (chicken, turkey, beef, etc) and then center the dish around it. Add in some veggies, maybe some pasta or rice depending on how many calories I've got for the day. I almost always have a serving of ice cream after dinner. (personal preference). Or if I'm craving a certain dish, I make it to fit my calorie/macro budget for the day.

For lunch I usually stick to either chicken & rice or veggies, soup, salad, sandwiches, or wraps.

Exercise:

I started out on the elliptical, moved to the 30 day shred, then got into running with the C25K program, then I did Insanity, and now I'm lifting (stronglifts 5x5 program) and running.

My recommendation is to find something you enjoy doing because the likelihood of adherence will be better.
There are so many options out there. I'd recommend a combo of both cardio and weight lifting/training.

Basics:

Maintain a caloric deficit (what is required for weight loss) and exercise regularly.

Good luck. :flowerforyou:

Thanks for the input. I like your choice of foods, very easy to stick with, yet not too overwhelming. Right now I am eating 2127 cals a day, sometimes less, about 300-400 less. Is that too much? I'm thinking I should maybe do a 20% or 15% deficit.

Where did you get 2127?

You should do TDEE - 20% if you're not using MFP's automatic settings.

See here:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819925-the-basics-don-t-complicate-it
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

I don't know if I qualify as having lost a significant amount of weight but I'll give my two cents anyway.

Eating:

I eat whatever I feel like. I make sure I hit my calories and macros.

For dinner, I usually pick a meat (chicken, turkey, beef, etc) and then center the dish around it. Add in some veggies, maybe some pasta or rice depending on how many calories I've got for the day. I almost always have a serving of ice cream after dinner. (personal preference). Or if I'm craving a certain dish, I make it to fit my calorie/macro budget for the day.

For lunch I usually stick to either chicken & rice or veggies, soup, salad, sandwiches, or wraps.

Exercise:

I started out on the elliptical, moved to the 30 day shred, then got into running with the C25K program, then I did Insanity, and now I'm lifting (stronglifts 5x5 program) and running.

My recommendation is to find something you enjoy doing because the likelihood of adherence will be better.
There are so many options out there. I'd recommend a combo of both cardio and weight lifting/training.

Basics:

Maintain a caloric deficit (what is required for weight loss) and exercise regularly.

Good luck. :flowerforyou:

Follow this and eat within your calorie needs to lose weight everyday, repeat daily and you will reach your goals.

a significant amount of weight, what does your diet consist of? What is your daily routine as far as workouts go?

I've lost 133 pounds. My diary is open. How I eat now (maintaining) is about the same as how I ate while I was losing. Currently, I eat at a slight deficit during the week and a surplus on weekends. It all evens out. I cook basically all my own food. I eat what I like. 130+ grams of protein, a lot of fat (usually 90+ grams), the rest is carbs. I have treats every day. I eat out occasionally. I have taken a lot of "free days". I never plateaued, and I'm having no problem maintaining so far (9 months in). I always had a reasonable deficit, even when morbidly obese, and never restricted calories unnecessarily. My motto is "live the healthiest life you can enjoy" not "starve until you reach goal weight, then have a hell of a time learning to maintain." I implemented no changes I was not willing to live with for a lifetime. I love good food, and it was fantastic to learn that I could continue to love and prepare good food while still losing weight.

My workout routine is also fairly similar now to what it was when I was losing. I lift weights three times a week, full body routines, 45-60 minutes. I do cardio twice a week; these days it's Bodystep, running and/or HIIT. Time really depends...40 minutes usually, 60+ if I'm on a long run. Cardio I'll skip, weights are basically non-negotiable.

When I first started, I did the elliptical till I built up endurance (in terms of cardio) and confidence, then added some intervals and classes, eventually learning to love running. I lifted weights from month one, doing bodyweight stuff but also free weights, graduating to barbells and racks. I never used machines, other than cable machines.

I am a lot more active in my day-to-day life now. I walk my dog more, enjoy biking places instead of driving, and our weekend activities during summer usually include exploring state park hiking trails. I walk to the grocery store when I can instead of taking the car. I walk down the hall to talk to a coworker instead of sending email, little things like that. I use a Fitbit and aim to get in my 10,000 steps a day.

I've written a few blogs on how I did things:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ShannonMpls/view/follow-up-15-months-134-pounds-lost-at-goal-427140
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ShannonMpls/view/-how-did-you-do-it-262680

YMMV. This is what worked for me. That doesn't mean it's the best choice for everyone. Good luck

a significant amount of weight, what does your diet consist of? What is your daily routine as far as workouts go? I'm just curious because I've seen a lot of people on here that have lost quite a bit of weight and I'd like to know some changes I may have to make in my diet and daily exercise. I'm looking to lose approximately 60lbs. BTW, Congrat's to everyone who's lost weight, big or small.

I've lost 40 lbs so far. My workouts are weight training 2-3x a week (depending on how sore I am on day 2, pretty much), 2-3 miles walks the rest of the time pretty much.

Otherwise I just count calories (I do TDEE-20%, well, a bit less) and try to eat 120g of protein a day. My diary is open. I eat mostly 'clean' I guess, with some 100 calories treats in there.