how long did it take for you to get serious about this

Well, typically you will see results right away, but then you might level off for a bit. You have to be persistent and stick with it. Remember WHY you are doing it and visualize that goal. It certainly is not easy but it is well worth it

Well, I've tried off and on for years. I've gained and lost my body weight several times over. But, MFP has been a life saver for me. I was introduced to it through a weight loss contest (and I came in third!) and I've not looked back yet. I don't know what finally threw the switch for me, but I feel differently about this loss than any other time. I'm a little over a third of the way there, so I'm not finished but I do feel like this is a sustainable lifestyle change for me.

Write out your goals and put some place that you can see them daily. Buy a goal outfit and hang it where you can see it. Think about why you want to lose weight and really think about that when you get tempted to fall off the wagon.

You need to realize that this is a lifestyle change, not a diet. You can't lose weight and then just go back to the way things were, you'll just gain it all back and then some, I know, been there done that too many times.

I technically joined MFP in May 2012 after having used another site off and on for over a year, but I didn't really get serious until December 2012, when I decided that 2013 would be the year when I finally got my act together and took charge of my health. Before that point, I had logged periodically but then stopped every time I "messed up." When I decided to go for it, though, I decided that I was making my health my number one priority, and that my actions needed to reflect that. Once I followed through and did that, as of January 1, 2013, everything changed. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it has been easy since then -- but it has WORKED. I've logged every single bite that I've put in my mouth (except for one week at a health resort where there were only healthy choices) -- the good, the bad, and the ugly. I continually ask myself whether my actions are leading me closer to my goal or taking me in the wrong direction. 57 lbs gone since that mental switch -- and I never, ever, ever would have believed it possible in November of 2012. So hang in there and figure out what you need to do to make your own mental switch. You can do it once you genuinely make it a priority.

"Switch", that is the word I have been looking for. I don't know what it is about this time but it is.....easier. That's the only word I can think of, not that it is easy....not by a LOOOOOOOONG shot. Something just changed and it feels different this time around. I know it is not just the weight loss because, just like a lot of people, I lost and gained over and over and over and over since I was 20 (I'm 44 now). Most of those times I lost the weight quicker than I am now. It just doesn't feel like I'm dieting. It's a change in my life. Just like learning a new skill and applying it to my life. Mind you, I'm far from perfect. However, I do not get discouraged and just get back on track. Consistency is definitely the key.

Maybe I just finally got sick and tired of being sick and tired.

It took 5 months for me to get serious but I also didn't know mfp was a whole community. I just thought it was a good journal. It wasn't until I got serious with motivation wanting to lose the weight then I started using mfp.

I know what has helped more this time than in the past - what's kept me picking back up and trying again every day even when I flub up a time or two on occasion....

....is the fact that I am now head 1st into my 30's lol. I am 31, (32 in march) - and I kind of see the 'grown up' approach to the 'game' of life if you will. In my 20's (and even teens) I made 'attempts' at weightloss but nothing substantial. I'm sure, subconsciously, that's because the mentality of a teenager or 'young adult' is usually - "Eh, nothing's gonna happen to me!" .... I had friends, I was 'fine' - would go to movies, go out to eat, hang out - so nothing was 'visually' a problem with my weight.....

then - i hit 30. And I started to think, "Hmmm...something's likely not right here....but we'll tread gently this year and see what happens."

then - I hit 31. And I started to think, "Ummmmm - this ain't right!" lol. I started to take more of the approach of, "What's better for my insides? This burger, you know now that I look at it really hard, it's kinda nasty overall. The lunchmeat sandwich with baby spinach on it, and some carrot sticks with pbutter for lunch-that really makes my insides happy."

So only way I can say I felt 'the change' come on --- was by age. You just get to an age where you understand it's something that's needed to do because.....you want to do it. it's true they say - you gotta have that 'want' about you. It'll come in time. Just hope it's not a medical need that causes your want to stick strong.

keep your chin up pal, it'll happen for ya!

This is my third time "starting" on MFP, and I had to lose 8 pounds just to get back to my starting weight from Dec 2010. I do the same thing; I see results and think, "yeah this is easy", then it gets too easy and the pounds stop coming off. I know exactly how you feel -- you simply cannot quit food cold-turkey.

Well, I've tried off and on for years. I've gained and lost my body weight several times over. But, MFP has been a life saver for me. I was introduced to it through a weight loss contest (and I came in third!) and I've not looked back yet. I don't know what finally threw the switch for me, but I feel differently about this loss than any other time. I'm a little over a third of the way there, so I'm not finished but I do feel like this is a sustainable lifestyle change for me.

Write out your goals and put some place that you can see them daily. Buy a goal outfit and hang it where you can see it. Think about why you want to lose weight and really think about that when you get tempted to fall off the wagon.

You need to realize that this is a lifestyle change, not a diet. You can't lose weight and then just go back to the way things were, you'll just gain it all back and then some, I know, been there done that too many times.

this.
Absolutely in the same boat.
Losing weight for only that purpose and restricting yourself for a few weeks/months does not work. It needs to be part of a new healthy lifestyle, It took me almost 15 years to understand that!!!! The switch for me was that i was getting really a big tummy for the fisrt time ever and i was unable to do some yoga that involves bending forward/sideways. Not because of flexiibilty because of fat being in the way!!! And seeing the scale at 195lbs. My biggest EVER.

So far i write EVEYTHING that goes in my mouth and do it EVERYDAY. That helps a lot with the knowledge that i can have absolutely everything as long as it fits in my food diary. After a few weeks i realized that some foods are just not worth it anymore (fast food/junk food) because they don't give me enough nutrients or fulfill me enough. And i STILL have chocolate everyday because i can't live without it!!! But i amke sure i choose an healthy one (ffrozen udge/hot chocolate / chocoalte pudding) instead of a chocolate bar.

I do exercise (running/walking/swimming/calisthenics, yoga) but i don't go crazy about it (as before). I do it because i want to be toned (no sagging skin) and want to run a 10k (eventually half-marathon).

You may consider a different approach. Rather than looking at it like a weight loss program, look at it as a lifestyle issue. There are many facets to health, and our food intake is just one of them. Are there other parts of your life that make it harder to lose weight? Perhaps look at working on better controlling those.

I agree. Don't look at it as a diet. If you want to change, you will. You have to get yourself in a completely different mindset. What do you want? Ask yourself that. You have to motivate yourself.

I've tried all kinds of diets. They didn't work for me. You have to do what's right for you. I started last April and haven't quit. I don't plan to either. Sure, everyone has off days, but just get back up on that wagon and keep going.

first attempt, first time slimming ever...so far its working.

I have struggled with my weight since I was 8yrs old. I lost weight in the past but, was basically starving myself every day. So, the weight came back each time. I gained weight big time during my pregnancies because my metabolism was wrecked from the previous extreme dieting. Whatever I ate, my body seemed to absorb. After this last pregnancy, I reached my highest weight ever of 202lbs. I knew that I had to get my butt in gear and in a healthier way this time. I dieted first healthily by cutting out the junk and reducing my calories. Then, I joined mfp this passed August and began exercising at least 5 days a week. I have been serious about this weight loss journey ever since. I will not stop until I reach my goal weight and will work on maintaining after that.

I was already losing weight when I joined MFP. The only reason I joined was to be able to see the food database for nutritional info (can't see it without an account). I stay because MFP allows me to track sodium and I'm patiently waiting to be creeped on.

Thank you for your post. It's very motivational.

I started to really get serious when I stopped worrying about doing things perfectly and quickly. I decided that I would take things one step at a time and change eating habits slowly. It took me a couple of years before I started losing weight, but now I have eating habits that are now my new norm.. And now I am losing weight fairly quickly without thinking about it much.