females that started around 300 lbs and lost without surgery

Hey there!! I started at 310 and I'm down to 260. i certainly have a long road ahead of me... but I'm not going anywhere any time soon!

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.

Wow you look great....hope you bought that dress too!!!

I don't have photos to share here, sorry. My heaviest weight (back in 2008) was around 307. It MAY have been heavier at some point, but I doubt it as that was around my "breaking point" of holy cow, I've gained a lot of weight.

I'm now at 175. I am 5'8" tall, 37 years old and the last time I weighed anything in the 170s I was thirteen years old. I was well over 200 lb after age sixteen.

I lost the first 45 lb before I discovered tracking calories on My Fitness Pal. That was much harder for me, as I was just trying to eat as little as possible, lunches like a whole cucumber with a tiny bit of hummus, walking 4 miles per night, and regularly "breaking down" and drinking huge lattes and eating a lot of fried food etc.

Since joining MFP I've lost 86 lb in 16 months and it's honestly been "easy" compared to the years before I discovered this site. I don't kill myself with exercise and focus primarily on diet. I track EVERY bite, EVERY sip, EVERY day...even on vacation, even in restaurants, etc. Of course I do a lot of walking, weekend hikes or sightseeing, and the odd bike ride or game of tennis. But I've never had surgery, tried any shakes or pills, and haven't set foot in a gym or even tried a treadmill, elliptical, etc.

***ETA: I see a lot of comments about loose skin. I do have some loose skin around my upper arms and upper abdomen, but compared to what I expected it is NOT bad at all. My back fat and lower belly, as well as my legs, look MUCH better than I would have dreamed. I wanted to mention this since I am not someone who has been killing it in the gym, and had 100+ lb of excess weight for over 20 years.

I started below 300, at 271. But I am currently at 224. This is 4 pounds from what I was when I got my first ID at 18 (I'm 24). I still have about 75 pounds to go. I wanna make it to 150. I've only been doing this since febuary 19th so I think I've come along way. I walk when its nice out and watch what I eat. I eat what I want when I want as long as I stay in my calories.

I started at 285. I'm down 52 lbs (I was down 60 but I gained a few back) now from almost entirely dietary changes. It is absolutely possible, you just have to stick with it. I still have about 75 -80 lbs to go, but I'm well on my way to getting there.

Also, my profile has 2 pictures one of me in a wedding a little over a year ago at 280 and one of me more recently in a dressing room right after it at about 235.

and

- this was 13 lbs ago

I started at 320 and have lost 110 right now, I was down a little lower and I am trying to get back down again. I did it with a lot of exercise and eating less food, no surgery, no special diet or pills. It has been 5 years since I started and I lost most of it in the first year.

As for exercise, find something you enjoy. Keep trying things until you do. I happen to like going to the gym and lifting weights, I like group classes of interval training - love TRX. I also enjoy doing the fun runs, I am signed up for the Warrior Dash this weekend and totally looking forward to it. I know I wouldn't have said that 5 years ago!

Well how handy! A thread full of new friends

Hoping to be as successful as all of you lovely people. No surgery, just sensible eating and exercise. Thanks for posting your stories and pictures. Very inspirational.

Wow! You ladies give me hope! :^D

If anyone needs another pal, feel free to add me!

I started at 245, but I'm m only 5'2". I'm at 185 now, no surgery. When I first started I said to myself that I had 2 months to lose at least 20 pounds and if I couldn't I would see the doc and start talking surgery. I lost almost 30 in those 2 months. I had lost 96 without surgery, but then a couple stressful years happened and I gained a lot back. Now I'm getting back to where I was and then on to where I want to be.

First of all, thank you everyone who has posted so far! Love to hear the motivational success stories!!

I am 32, 5'7 and started this journey at 326lbs. I am currently down to 311 just with diet and excercise. No surgery, no pills, no special diet (am doing low carb for PCOS but no shakes or extremes) I have a long ways to go as I want to lose a total of 150lbs maybe more. But I know we can do it and can motivate eachother. Dont have any pics as of yet but hopefully soon!!

Add me if you like!

I have nothing to add except, awesome job ladies! Y'all look great!


I'm not going to judge anyone who's lost weight using surgery, but I think it's soooo incredible to be able to lose it without! Amazing what the human spirit and will can do! You are all perfect examples of that.

wow!
it's so encouraging to see so many of you are really doing this!
i'm finding it challenging to get started on the exercise.
it's been so incredibly humid here and i really hate it.
i usually wait until sundown to even get housework done.

any tips for starting (and sticking to) a regular exercise routine?

This is where an activity tracker comes in. I don't know about you, but I like my fitbit, because it gives me little goals to reach, and I feel accomplished when I do. I'll walk a little longer trying to hit my step target, or calorie target.

The other way to approach activity, is to fit in in everywhere. You don't have to kill yourself at the gym every day. But instead of driving to the coffee place for your mid-morning perk, walk. Sure, it might take 10 more mins, but they're well spent.

I was 290 in January and now I'm down to to 228. I still have a ways to go, but I'm doing it! Sorry not sure how to add pictures or I would.

Started out by getting used to half mile walks in the mornings. Now I take a five mile walk in the morning (with minute running sprints throughout) and at least a two mile work out in the evening. I tend to use Leslie Sansone workouts for the evenings. Bought a fitbit, some people like it some don't. For me it works to keep me motivated and I think it gives a more accurate account of how many exercise calories I burn.

Of course, I also eat a lot less, but I do treat myself now and again. Outshine bars are a new favorite and Chia Bars (chocolate and peanut butter!!!)

I'm really hoping to see my weight drop below 200 by Christmas (if not before). Just keep saying "I can do this!"