65 Pounds Down - People don't recognize me, lol

how did you do it? how long did it take you?

I did it the old fashioned, time-proven way: Increased my activity level and cut down the calories. Initially, I worked out 3-4 days per week for about an hour and was fairly sedentary otherwise (desk job). Now, I work out 5-6 days per week for 30-60 minutes (higher intensity), and I eat 2500-3000 calories per day (and burn more than that in a day so I still run a small deficit - I'm trying to build muscle right now though and break a plateau). My original calorie deficit was 1200-1500 calories (with maybe an 1800 calorie day in there somewhere). I never ate back my exercise calories (that was a foreign concept to me before MFP and I only started using MFP last year).

I've maintained for 3 years, but I notice a huge difference in my physique when I work out this much, and in my strength and stamina, and my overall energy level. I don't think I even had this much energy when I was a kid! (Mind you, a morbidly obese kid) Lol.

I have come a long way from my original "DIET". Originally, I just ate less of everything and less frequently. As I read books and surfed the web and learned, I got way more into it and started improving my diet drastically, and my fitness routines, etc.. It really is a lifestyle, and one that I love. It's harder than being lazier, but I appreciate what I do to have this body rather than the one I had before, and I am much much happier. That "lifestyle" has constantly evolved too, as I try to mold my body into what I want. I love accomplishing my goals, and that in itself is addictive, so make sure you set a lot of little goals along the way rather than one big one!

I lost the weight twice, 80-something pounds the first time, gained back 65 and then lost that again too. Both times took less than 6 months. It definitely gets harder when you get smaller, I'll say that, but you're more determined by then so that doesn't bother you much, lol.

Consistency
Commitment
Courage

"Just DO IT"