females that started around 300 lbs and lost without surgery

I started out at 285-290. Down to 148. Lowest weight of my adult life. Still struggle with body image but it's something I'm working on mentally as I continue to improve my body.

My diary is open . I started off at 325...318 in the "before" pic and about 280 in the "after" pic. I'm currently 269 lbs. I just focus on eating healthy, control my portions, and not deprive myself, and exercising.

Eta. It appears I can't get my pic to work, but it is on my profile

I started out right around 300 lbs. It definitely wasn't easy, but it was worth it. Just remember that slow and steady is usually best. Before I got serious about losing, I'd get frustrated when I was "good" and only saw a one lb weight loss on the scale. As I learned more about fitness and nutrition, I learned that that was actually what I wanted to see. So don't get too frustrated if it seems like you are losing slowly.

I started at 275 in January, and as you can see, I'm currently at 234.
I have used phentermine to get my appetite under control, and thank goodness it worked! I was so frustrated being hungry ALL the time!! (I did a blog post about prescription weight loss meds, if you're interested in learning.)
But I've also been at the gym, sweating & moving heavy things around, nearly every day.

Most weight loss comes from controlling calories in.
Weight control / maintenance comes from regular exercise.

"Most weight loss occurs because of decreased caloric intake.
However, evidence shows the only way to maintain weight loss is to be engaged in regular physical activity."
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html

I also did a post about setting goals (weight & calorie) which you might find helpful.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MKEgal/view/2014-06-08-setting-goals-667045

My highest recorded weight was 350 pounds, but I suspect I went higher than that in my non-weighing days. I wouldn't be surprised if I was very close to 400 pounds at one time. I'm down 104 pounds without surgery, and still need to drop another 100 to get to where I want to be. My goal is 1 pound per week. Slow and steady is my mantra. I really had to look inward and figure out why I ate as I did, and then become accountable for the good or bad food choices I make. Did a lot research, read testimonials from others (very inspirational when you are getting started), joined a food logging/weight management website, started trying new foods to expand my choices, etc.

For a while, I did consider surgery (my mom was pushing me in that direction), but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I had seen too many of my friends who went that route, and after initially dropping a lot of weight, they would slowy put it back on. I know there are a lot of people out there where that isn't the case, I just never met one, so I was very wary of surgery.

Thank you, ladies who have reported on your success! It reminds me that it is possible...the time is going to pass anyway, right?

I started July 2013 @ 275lbs. Current weight 180lbs. Trying to get to a healthy 150lbs Slow and steady wins the race and YES the time will absolutely pass anyways! Good luck to you

So what did you do about losing the weight around the hips, knees, and bottom? I'm losing in the face, neck, stomach...down to the thighs. But the weight in the upper thighs, buttocks, and knees are laded with cottage cheese looking cellulite. How long does it take for those areas to start going down? I ask because I've been told to go to the gym for water aerobics for osteoarthritis. I dread putting on a bathing suit until I drop more weight.

Thanks,

Down almost 90 now, all of it lost through nutrition and exercise. No drugs, no surgery. It has taken two years, and I still have a lot to lose, but I feel good physically and emotionally. It's been worth it to do this "the right way"!

BTW I am post-menopausal, which can make weight loss more difficult, but it's obviously possible even for someone as lazy as me.

I started at 364 in February 2014 today I weigh 299. I have lost 65 pounds so far. No surgery, just eating right and moving more.

Wow. Thank you all for sharing. My weight is coming off very slowly -- I'm using weight machines now along with swimming for my exercise. Have been using MFP to track -- REALLY track my food intake too -- I can see major differences in my body and how clothes fit even if the scale is moving slowly. Please keep those photos coming! THANK YOU again, everyone!

I started at 325 and am at 240 without any surgery. I have pictures on my profile but I post most of my pictures on Instagram. My name on there is suz_gets_fit if you want to see some. I'll add ya on here!!!

First off- Congrats to everyone! Whether you are just starting this journey or whether its been a long time.

I started my journey in October 2008 at my heaviest- 341. Today I weight 165 and it feels amazing I have done it all naturally, I get quite annoyed when people ask me if I hard surgery (which is fine for some, but not for me) or what diet I have done. I just started to eat better and less and started to move more. The person I was almost 6 years ago would never do the things I am doing today. But because that person 6 years ago had some fight and desire to change her life, the current me is possible. I ran my first two half marathons in the spring and working on 3 this fall. I really want to run a full marathon in the spring just to prove to myself how far I have come. It wasn't easy but it was worth it. And you better believe I have no desire to go back- it took way to long to get to where I am at and I refuse to do this all again.

I started a little over 375. I am now down to 319 without surgery. I still want to lose another 140 pounds or so. It can be done, but it takes a lot of work and usually a long time. You can see "progress pics" in my avatar.

Thank you, ladies who have reported on your success! It reminds me that it is possible...the time is going to pass anyway, right?

Honestly, this is the best thing I've heard in years. I keep getting frustrated with the thought of how long it will take, but you're right...the time is going to pass anyway so I might as well get healthy while it does! Thank you so much.