How long did it take you

took me 50 days to lose 15 lbs. I owe it to my fellow mfp friends who are also my workout buddies. They held me accountable, I felt I had to be honest about all of my food diary entries.

Oh and I had a 50 day log in streak!

Great question - looking forward to reading more answers!

I have been on for four months and have lost 15 lbs (half of my 30 lb) goal. Logging everything, even condiments is really important and measuring everything. Also - I eat my exercise calories, I was trying to not at first, but did not lose anything.

Also reading the message boards gives you so many good healthy ideas.

good luck!! Add me if you want a friend!

I lost close to 60 pounds in 5 months, 30 in the first 2 months. In some ways I had it easier than some in that I was unemployed at the time, which gave me extra time to prepare food--that and I knew how to do it because of my education and experience.

However, I did all the work myself. How? Rigid portion control, careful food preparation and choices, and effective exercise. Other than making sure to eat regularly and to refuel my workouts, I did not significantly change my meal frequency, did not pay attention to water intake, drank diet soda, and really did not increase my protein intake all that much--I averaged under 20% of calories from protein and never ate more than 1g of protein per kg body weight per day. Oh, and I weighed myself every day).

My most effective tools were my digital scales (both food and bathroom) and the MFP food logs. Measuring and logging food is hard work at first--especially since most of my meals were from home recipes. It meant measuring and looking up the nutritional info for every ingredient, making the dish, estimating the portion size to meet my meal goal, etc. At every larger meal, I loaded my plate, then divided all the leftovers into meal-sized portions and put them away before I sat down to eat. I used vegetables and salad to "bulk up" my meals, so their was more volume w/out adding big calories.

My wife's story was different. She wasn't able to work out as hard or as much, and refuses to measure foods and doesn't like to change her eating habits. So when she did her "program" in 2009, she lost zip. She tried again this last summer and was more conscientious (and more willing to listen to me). It took her almost 7 weeks to lose pound 1, but she finally lost about 10-12 over the following 10 weeks.

Sometimes it can go fast, sometimes it goes slow.

I have lost 25 pounds in 6 weeks when I started on MFP. This website and the support it offers is a big deal! My advice, stay motivated, stay focused and think of it as changing your life not just a diet because you will have days that you eat more than others and that is OK. My calories vary from day to day but I try to stay within a 1400 calorie range. I eat what I want but in moderation and I try to make healthier food choices. Just because you went over your calories one day, doesn't mean your all in and you have blown it, just keep moving forward. Logging in everyday is a must, and reading stories keeps you motivated and helps a lot. If you ask for help, you will get it here! Good luck.

I started my health journey on 7/17/10, and found MFP 7/23. So far on MFP I have lost 45, and 8 prior to MFP for a total of 53 pounds in 51/2 months. For me the biggest key is eatting 3 regular meals and a snack per day. I used to skip meals, and sometimes entire days without eatting. I started to pay attention to what I was eatting, and how much. I exercise a moderate amount, usually walking, resistance bands and Wii Fit Plus. MFP takes the "PITA" factor out of keeping a food journal. You also get to meet interesting people from all over the world. You can exchange ideas and get assistance from everyone. I really like the fact that there is NOT someone looking over your shoulder telling you that you are eatting all wrong or that you should be in the gym 3 hours a day 6 days a week. I am about 1/3 of my way to my goal.

Good Luck on your journey!

it has taken me since sept to lose 17lbs, this site is fantastic for keeping your motivation going...just keep going for groups ...that is what keeps me working harder..i am in a valentines group right now no pressure everyone has diff goals but hey we are all going to kick the goals *kitten*

I have lost 45 lbs so far, 23 lbs since joining MFP at the end of Sept. The first bit I lost within the first month. Then only lost a pound every two weeks. It was my own fault. I was exercising too much and not eating my cals back. I am now doing it properly and going strong. I log absolutely every thing, food and exercise. If you are going to eat your exercise cals back, make sure you are not overestimating your cal burn.