How long did it take you to lose 50 pounds? I'm new here.

I started mfp after I'd already lost 20ish pounds. I'm 5'3 and my original weight loss goal was to lose 120 pounds. I decided to count calories and focus on portion control. my biggest challenge was incorporating veggies and fruits into my life. I tend to be a carb and sugar lover...but if you stay within your portion of carbs and sugar you're constantly hungry and grumpy. Once I figured out I would be much more satisfied (and healthy) with veggies and fruits it got way easier.

It took me about six months to lose 50 pounds. I was very obese and a heavy smoker, though.

I think everyone loses at a different pace. My focus was not to lose weight in a certain amount of time. I focused on truly changing my relationship with food...for life.

Good luck!!

-India
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Thank you very much! I am really trying to learn thee relationship I have with food and especially with my different moods and how things effect me. I LOVE carbs too! I'm crazy or them. I think the hardest part so far is gradually replacing some of them such as my Olive Garden and bread sticks. Thanks again for the motivation!

Anytime!!!! feel free to add me if you want. I push myself hard and I'll help cheer you on along the way!!

Good luck to you! I am the same height and have the same amount of weight to lose.

I agree with India and the other posters.....except that I thought I was a carb addict until I started MFP and realized I was just a second helping of everything addict
I joined in July and have lost 40 lbs in the last six months, more importantly I have noticed a huge improvement in my favourite sport! It's like I'm -40 lbs faster on the court (I play badminton).
My biggest "aha" moments have been to look at the weekly trend of staying under or at my calorie goals and making a fitness plan that works for me; which is not really a plan, just making sure I'm doing some form of exercise everyday, be it playing badminton, swimming laps while the kids are in their lessons, going for a hike/walk/run, body weight or dumbell exercises, yoga/stretching. I like to mix it up.
I totally weigh everything when I can too, once you get comfortable using a food scale it becomes second nature, it's just how I cook now. It's so easy to make errors without measuring, no apple or chunk of cheese or plate of pasta is the same, sometimes it could be over or under the number of calories logged, then what's the point!?
I totally agree not to sweat the over calorie days.....as long as you get back up and have mostly good days; the holidays, birthday cake, and dinner out once in a while is nothing compared to the big picture of more consistent healthy choices!

Welcome to MFP!

I'm 5'4" also and needed to lose 50 ... it took about 8-9 months, and it was especially slow in the beginning, so don't get discouraged! I was going to turn 40 in 9 months, and that turned out to be great "it's now or never" motivation.

I exercise 4-5 days per week and maintain a steady 1500 calories (that's 1500 net -- I eat back anything I burn each day, so exercise days mean I get to eat a little more ) My exercise is mainly running about 15 miles per week, with some Jillian Michaels videos thrown into the mix for body conditioning.

I didn't follow a diet or omit any particular foods, I just was (and still am) very meticulous about counting every calorie to make sure I net 1500, and sticking to an exercise plan. I seem to have plateaued now at about 5-7 lbs from my goal weight, which seems common for many folks. I can live with that ... at this point, I'd much rather get rid of all this loose skin!

About 11 months.

Right now I'm at 45lbs lost and I'm 5'3. (I started tracking later on in my journey with MFP) In total it's been 9 months, but the bulk of the weight has come off since July. My biggest challenge has been the working out. I totally hate sweating!! lol. But the trick is to find something fun and to switch it up often. Find what feels good to you! It's hard at first but if you keep it up and smile through it, you'll do great!