Lost 160 Pounds in 6 Months-100% Natural Using MFP

Congrats on being so determined and having this much success so far, that's incredible.

i may have missed it skimming over the pages here, but any specifics to give encouragement to others?

Of course, I hope ones would realize that with a lot available to lose, you can lose faster. And you can't compare between folks. 6'3" helps immensely too.

Because to obtain 6.15 lbs weekly on average is stellar, and if that was indeed all fat, as unlikely as that is, it would imply an average daily deficit of about 3000 calories.

Just curious what exercise you were able to do at the start (obviously running and lifting) for how long that got your daily burn up so high to allow a deficit that big, and what kind of eating level did you start with and make it to currently, did you have to drop any foods that set you off, or good enough at portion control to still enjoy things?

And any rewards you gave yourself through the time there, like for reaching subgoals of weight or distance or weight lifted, ect?

Thanks for watching. As far as a deficit goes, there probably was that high of a deficit daily, but reminder, I was monitored every two weeks with blood work by my doctors. Here is what I did, when i started my BMR was about, 3820 Calories, my diet was 1200-1500 calories and my exercise was 60 minutes walking 2x's a day, which burned approximately 2200. so to maintain it would have been 6020 calories, i was eating 1500, so my deficit was approx. 4,520. It sounds crazy but it is true. As far as treat days, no. Most people rewards themselves, but I figure, I don't want to be tempted and if I eat a piece of chocolate every week am I really curing myself of the obsession I had with food, or just putting up with the craving until my next fix? Everyone is different, but I was completely obsessed with eating, obviously. So to cut it out completely makes it a lifestyle approach and after about month 2, I didn't even crave it anymore and as of now, I don't think I would eat it if I had 2,000 extra calories a day to burn.

As far as exercise, even now, walking is king. I listen to books so I learn as I walk, it is my meditation. I started out at 2 miles a day max, and now I walk 10-12 a day.

As far as loosing weight, its not a race. Losing weight is a result of a lot of small efforts leading to a final outcome. I make a calendar on my fridge and record my weight every morning. This lets me track fluctuations in my weight and lets me stay focused if I start slowing down. I make goals, small goals. I mark every day with a .5 pound goal. that is roughly 1700 deficit in diet, which is getting harder as I get smaller, but not impossible. By the end of the month, I try to hit my goal which equals about 15 pounds. Again, doesn't sound like a lot but if you can average .5 pounds every day for 6 months, you will lose 90 pounds. If you start at 400+, you will average much more than .5.

Good luck and hope this helps.

Thanks again everyone!!!