Who has done this on their own? HELP!

I am down almost 130lb simply by moving more and eating less. I am not going to lie it is not easy and it has taken me 3+ years, but I have done it! I don't agree with WLS as I have had lots of friends have it only to gain all the weight back. I knew that it wasn't for me. I remember the first few times I went to gym and I could barely go 15 mins on the elliptical and now most days I for for 90 mins. It all takes time. You are going to get out of it what you put into it. There is no quick easy fix, the best thing is a lifestyle change over time! Add me if you would like!

121 lbs here in 13 months. ( no surgery) .........like Jennifer said, Diet, Exercise , water, water and "patience"

If youre wanting to lose it all at once, well, its hard.......I started slow, made subtle changes, not drastic, incorporated exercise slowly, and it paid off..........read my bio, its how I did it as well as getting rid of 3 medical conditions

again, you gotta be patient and make total life style changes..........is not just calories in/calories out. Its a whole life style change........

best of luck, add me as your friend if I can help............Lloyd

I have a friend who I go to the gym with 3 days a week, and she has lost 48 lbs since we started January 3rd, 2011 just by eating healthy (and enough calories) and by working out. She does about 30-45 minutes of cardio (the elliptical on level 18) and we do about an hour of weight training.. Just free weights, push ups, squats, lunges, etc. I know several people that do NOT succeed when they restrict themselves with dieting or using supplements. Keep eating good and exercising! Good Luck!!

I lost 60 pounds on my own and have kept if off for over a year and a half now with ONLY diet and exercise. I decreased my calories gradually to find the point at which I started to lose, which was 1200 calories a day for me, and exercised for 30-60 minutes 5-6 times a week.

The biggest hurdle for me was mental. If I made one bad choice or had one bad day, it was easy to let myself "fall of the bandwagon" so to speak. If I ate a few m&m's at lunchtime, it used to be an excuse to spiral out of control for the rest of the day. I have to tell myself all the time that every day, every hour and even every minute is a choice. If I want to be healthy for myself and my family, I have to continue to make good choices. This is one area in my life where stubborness pays off! :-)

I keep track of all of my food either on mfp or in a journal and I log all of my exercise. I run or walk for most of my exercise and I have found it keeps me motivated to keep track of total miles. For example, I have logged 224 miles already this year. Keeping track long-term makes me feel like I have really accomplished something and keeps me going even if I have a "bad week." Also, I have a calendar hanging in my laundry room and I put a sticker on it each day that I exercise. Everyone in the house can see it and it helps hold me accountable to someone besides myself. My 9 year-old daughter says "Mom, why haven't you gone to the gym since Monday?" or "Wow, you have exercised 6 days in a row. Way to go!"

It is possible to do it on your own- but any support you can build into your plan will go a long way to long-term success. Keep up the great work!

I have two sisters who have had the surgery. They both got very small afterwards but now they both have gained their weight back and have issues from the surgeries. I have lost a total of 65 pounds since the beginning of 2010 without feeling like I deprived myself at all. If I crave something I have a small portion. I can tell you one thing. My sisters got smaller than I am now at 160 pounds but I look better than they ever did. Eating healthy and exercising helps in so many aspects of your life. Sure it helps you physically but also emotionally and mentally. I encourage you to work out and eat healthy. Be willing for it to take some time to make it to your goal and one day you will look back at your journey and be grateful you did. Good Luck!

I lost at least 45 pounds over the last year. I'm not sure what weight I started at, but I know I was at least 185. That's about a 1/3 of my body weight. I started off with just cutting calories and walking, and then I started walking faster when I felt comfortable and now I work out 5-6 days a week. I haven't joined a gym -- just workout with dvds at home (with weights and a mat). I don't exactly eat "clean" and I treat myself pretty regularly, but I plan for those treats and work out extra hard to make room for them.

I lost 114 as of today on my own. Please add me and join the nation! Add bigpelly too and anyone else on my friends list they all work very hard and are good friends

Agree with the posts above.
Yes, you can do this on your own! Slow and steady wins the weight loss race.
Be accountable to yourself, don't beat yourself up if you get off-track for a time, and keep moving.
My only form of exercise is walking....but I do a lot of it!
This is a great site for motivation and support!
Kaye

I've lost *almost* 100lbs by cutting calories and working out. No surgery for me - well maybe boob implants once I reach goal weight - but that's a whole OTHER story...

It can be done. You just have to want it bad enough. If you truly want it, you will do it and you will get there.

It's taken me 3 years to reach this point. THREE FREAKING YEARS! And I'm still not at my goal, but that's okay because I will get there.

The only secret to weight loss, besides diet and exercise, is patience. You don't get fat over night, and you won't lose weight over night.

Good luck to you!

52 pounds in 29 weeks. No secrets...I eat well and I exercise like it is my job.
Anyone can do this but you have to be committed and stay committed.
And PS...congrats on losing 30 lbs in 3 months. That's awesome and you are on the right track.
And PPS...I've known four people who had bypass or the band...and yes, they lost the weight...and put it right back on. Exercise is free, safe, natural, and great for you!

Did it all on my own, like a big boy! :bigsmile:

To date, I've lost 128 pounds in less than a year with EXTREME self-motivation and dedicated ferocity to a new lifestyle and meticulously tracking every calorie in and every calorie out. For the most part, I had no support group either, so it literally was all me. It also helps that my confidence and patience is astronomically high to the point where failure is still success to me.

:flowerforyou:
So many amazing stories here!

Almost 30# in three months. Smaller portions and exercise. Surgery was never an option for me.

You can do it!

Hell, we ALL can. :-)

I invent my own words too! Awesome. Too bad I'm the only one who understands them. Well, my dog understands them. What where we talking about?

Oh yeah, I dropped 70'ish pounds. It took me nearly two years to do it, but I have very little self controll and really like all you can eat buffets. And donuts.

Though... maybe because of the slow weight loss, maybe genetics, I don't have any stretch marks or loose skin. So there may be a plus to slow progress?

It can be done. And if somebody like me can do it, you Defnatly can.