How do you do it?

The accountability helps me. For the most part, I still eat what I want because depriving myself doesn't work for me, but when I think about logging it in my food diary, it makes me think twice. I do exercises that are fun so I just say find what works for you, do what you enjoy and it won't seem like a chore. I consider my workouts playtime Best of luck to you. Feel free to send me a friend request if you would like some support!!

I always put what I'm about to eat in first and sometimes that helps me change my mind...I say HOW MANY CALS DOES THAT COST???? crazy and most times I end up picking something better, and I rely a lot on my friends on here encouraging me! Good luck

Eat things that will keep you full with protein. I graze almost all day long and my diary is open if you want to see it.
I enter in all the food I will eat for the day right away in the morning to help me stay on track.
Stay away from processed foods as much as you can.
Allow yourself a treat once in a while so you don't feel deprived.
Hope this helps!

What keeps me motivated to exercise? Knowing that there are people in my friends list waiting to see what I have accomplished. I just started on Sunday and everytime I see an ad of a greasy burger, I still want it but I just chug my bottle of water instead. Everybody on this site is here to help and I believe they are the reason that I'm still going good on my diet!

Anybody can add me(:
Have a WOW Wednesday.

Go into it gradually. What is your weight loss set at? Maybe try 1/2 pound a week for first week, 1 pound the 2nd, 1-1/2 the 3rd. Get to what is most comfortable. And pick an exercise you enjoy or can easily fit into your schedule. For example, I go for a 40 minute (a little over 2 mile) brisk walk at lunch after I eat. This helps with digestion and keeps me feeling more awake for the rest of the day (vs. when I sit still after lunch then I tend to be more sleepy).

Setting small goals helps. Yeah you have a total amount that you want to lose, but reward yourself when you reach smaller milestones. Also, don't work out past what your body can handle. If you push it too hard, you're not going to want to get out and exercise the next day. To make it really happen you need something to keep you moving, a final outcome that you desire. For me, it's shocking my husband when he comes back from his deployment in October. Maybe for you it would be a class or family reunion or an anniversary or a birthday or something. Another thing that helps is to find a workout buddy. Having someone that you are responsible to meet at the gym or go on a walk with will help to keep you motivated on the days that you're struggling to get up and do it. Just don't beat yourself up on days you eat something a bad. Make up for it and use it as motivation to work harder the next day. You can do it.

Honestly for years I was thin out of vanity, but I was not always healthy. Then I had children and I felt the need to teach them better eating habits so I began to practice what I preached and prepared healthier meals and exercised regularly. Now health is my driving motivation. I've always hated putting medicines (aka chemicals) in my body but I've found as I've aged (my youngest will turn 30 this year) that takes more work than it used to.

I don't do well with "exercise", so I put it under another category. Fast paced laps in the living room while talking on the phone, walking instead of driving where ever possible, squats to get the laundry. As for food intake,I find that I don't idly munch if I have to account for it. I do have to say that overeating isn't usually my issue. I have a tendency to not make my calorie goal. I've started using those throw away plastic containers to portion out snacks. When I want a snack I get a container - not a handful here or there. It's easier to track if their pre-done and this way I'm obligated to finish the container - not the whole bag.

Everyone has days where they cheat/ fall off the wagon. The important thing is to get back up and do better the next day. I log all my food every day. ANd that helps keep me accountable. I know if I go over I am going to have to work my butt off literally the next day to make up for it. AnANd I check calories of what I am going to eat/ order before hand so I know if it is a good chocie or not. Like today I am already over on my fat and still have to eat dinner! SO I know taht I have to be carefull tonight andmake up for it tommorow.

I am starting my low calorie diet on Monday. I am hoping that I can do it and get results taht I want. I have done the hcg diet and have gotten quick results so hopefully I can do the healthier diet and slowly lose the weight that I need! Wish me luck! I am nervous

Keep it up! You'll get it! The first three days I like to call "hell days."

The mere act of entering everything will help you stay on track. I always enter the calories first so I can see where I will be left.

There are lots of times when I have thought something along the lines of, hey I have X calories left, I should have a snack and then I think about entering it and I ask if I really need it.

The numbers of it really work for me, knowing that keeping under x calories will allow me to lose a certain amount. Its about tying your actions to their consequences.

buy yourself non food related rewards at every 5 lbs lost...a new nail polish
a new hair accessory....cheaper but still gratifying then go for a better reward at 10 lb reached....a manicure or pedicure

Honesty I got a Jones of New York little black dress at the good will store on the half off day and only paid $3.50 for it and it was a size 14 so what I was a size 18 last year...every week on Sunday afternoon after I exercised I showered and put on the dress.

No it never zipped for a LONG LONG time but I wanted to get into that dress for my 10 year anniversary dinner in October of 2010 and as it got closer and closer it fit but I looked like a sausage and told my husband how can I go for an anniversary dinner when I can;t sit and still breathe.

By the time October rolled around it fit and I could sit and breathe. I went to an awesome dinner and made sure it was healthy since I didn't want the dress to explode after the first bit of the main course.

Now I found an awesome pair of Jones New York pants at good will tags still on them and they were $9 and I am determined to get into these pants. I have come to be obsessed with the scale so this way was much more doable as I saw the clothes go up but not zip and then gradually fit better and better.

Add me if you want, eat protein and drink tons of water and veggies and eat off the low end of the glycemic index to stay full .

You work so hard for that 4lb you already achieved, don't blow it, it will come back much to easily. Keep going, we're here for you!!