how do you do it?

Just remember fresh is best! Water is always a better choice than anything else. For me I have cut out all unneeded sugar and carbs. Hope this helps!

My secret? No secret, just keep logging in everything, change up exercise, stay under my calories, and exercise. :happy:

I cut out the red meats... I have red meat once a week. If I am making Spaghetti or anything that you normally would use hamburger meat with, I would use ground chicken or ground turkey. Use portion control, don't deprive yourself if you want that bag of chips, have a small bowl, if you want a chocolate bar then have one but not 2. Exercise and drink your water.

Best of luck to you.

Its hard I know! But I don't limit myself to only "diet" food! I do make much better choices these days, but if I want a hamburger I get it, for me its about portion control. I'll just skip the fries and soda. And I stopped eating out for every meal! I also wasn't eating enough before! I now snack (on healthy stuff) ever 2-3 hours. That way I am never a starving idiot like before and eat everything in sight!

I also joined 24 Hour Fitness and I love going! At first I hated it! But now I love seeing the results! I also do the Biggest Loser DVD's, PX 90 is just way to much for me right now, but I know that one day int he near future I'll be able to do it without having a heart attack in the first two minutes!

I also started going to FA classes this past week. They seem to keep me motivated so far, but it's still new ya know.

Good luck! Feel free to add me if you need a buddy!

I spend a bit of time choosing my food and seeing how to make the most out of my calorie allowance! I also spend quite a lot on food but have cut down on alcohol so not really out of pocket - I also agree that looking at it as a total lifestyle change to improve your longer term health as well as your weight keeps me going - having a day off every now again but being aware of not falling for the abstinence violation effect which is what often happens. being aware of how this happens stengthens your weaker moments and stops a lapse becoming a relapse. walking has also made the difference - 30 mins a day - that's all it has taken for me - no fancy gym workouts just moving a bit more. Hope this helps and keep going!

I'm with jrich. I try to partake in my cravings occasionally. But even then I try to do it in a healthy way. I've gone with turkey burgers, I make tacos at home for a healthy alternative, I've looked up some VERY delicious recipes at websites online (cookinglight, eatingwell, spark). So I'm not eating anything gross that feels like diet food or that I can't stand. If it's not something sustainable it's not going to work out. I should also buy stock in Skinny Cow, as being able to eat dessert really makes life good. :happy:

As far as keeping my working out up to par, the trick is to find something you enjoy. A lot of people say they hate working out. And if what they're meaning is that getting on a cardio machine and trying to pretend 45-60 minutes doesn't feel like an eternity - then I agree. I hate working out too. But if you find something you enjoy, then you can really stay dedicated to it. Personally, I play racquetball with my husband and swim laps (I'm like a fish, I've always loved swimming). My SIL loves P90x. She literally thinks its the most fun thing ever. I wasn't nearly as in love with it, personally, but you get the idea. You have to find a workout that doesn't feel like a chore every time you get up to do it. I suggest trying every class at the gym or workout video, etc, that you can find until you find something that doesn't suck TO YOU. Best case scenario, you find a few different things you can rotate.

Past that, my success is what keeps me motivated. Seeing the changes in my body and in my confidence levels, not to mention my endurance and strength - it's awesome. I guarantee its an addiction I enjoy more than any food addiction or tv show.

goodness you have done so well what a massive achievement!

This is just a general guide. I'm not going to go into specifics because we're all different. But you can ask me if you want.

1. Be Patient
2. Plan and measure your meals, and then log it...even if you go over by 4000 calories. (a trip to any sports bar can do this)
3. Research, both new reciepe's and excersise routines.
4. Find an excersise routine you enjoy, and something you can set distict goals. Remember we all started somewhere. I started walking to the end of the block, last Saturday I ran 8 miles in training for a Half Marathon.
5. If you have limited time and recourses put more emphesis on nutrition. You can't out excersise a bad diet.

I will also tell you I still consume burgers, pizza, Diet Mt Dew, and the occiasional cookie. I just limit my portions.