Secret to Success

No secrets, just hard work. Stick to tried and true principles of nutrition and fitness. Do you very best every single day. That's it.

One specific thing you can try is planning the next days meals ahead of time. It gives you time to think through the menu and set everything up just right. If you have a good day of food planned out, you are likely to stick to it... If you don't have a plan, that's when things can go off course quickly....

All of my successes are simple habits.
I will ask for a doggy bag at every meal.
Always leave something on the plate.
Have a sugar free snack a available for weak moments.
Eliminate fructose corn syrup from everything.
Walk.
Multivitamin.
Only get on the scale once a week, Friday weigh in.
Don't do it alone.

Be patient. It took time for all of us to put on the weight so it'll take time to take it off too.

Track EVERYTHING you eat.
Water, water, water, water, water
As someone stated up above, plan your meals ahead of time
Exercise 5 times a week

This needs to be a lifestyle change, not a quick "diet" fix...It gets tough for everyone but just stay the course, be positive, and your body will change!

God bless

I think an important secret is to not beat yourself up if you have a "bad" fitness/diet day or even week. If I do that to myself it makes it so much easier to give up completely. My weekends are usually a mess when it comes to sticking to a diet but I am just beginning so I have to give myself a break and know that it takes time for a good habit to develop. Congrats on the current weight loss!

Those are great! I might also add:

-Plan ahead (eating that DQ blizzard is fine but know how many calories it is and fit into your goals with exercise)
-Don't drink your calories (unless it's a splurge and then see previous point)
-Log EVERYTHING you eat even if you're way over so you can learn from it
-If you hiccup don't let it make you give up, if find looking at the success stories on here inspire me to keep going
-If you're craving something try brushing your teeth... often it goes away (or try Bengal Spice tea... it's delicious with just a tablespoon of milk)

I agree with Seatern and the others. PLANNING is so important. I sometimes log in my whole day to gain an idea of where my calories will be. I then know if I need to omit something OR add something on those rare days I have extra! Having healthy foods on hand.. and sugar free jello.. or sugar free pudding mix and fat free milk.. for those times you "need" it. [No Pudge makes brownie mix..you can mix up one brownie.. with fat free yogurt or unsweetened applesauce.. microwave in a coffee mug for one minute. For me, sometimes just knowing it's "there" is enough. One of those boxes of brownie mix lasts me a long time. But it's there if I can't get past a craving. Low cal/fat free yogurt is another go to..and has protein and calcium.

Keep an extra set of sneakers in your car.. so you're always ready for an impromptu walk at lunchtime. If you go to the gym, do it at the same time each day if you can. You will get used to seeing the same people..and they seeing you..and when you don't show, someone is bound to ask, "Where have you been?" Surround yourself with people who will support and encourage you, but who will also hold you accountable. [I am always saying to my friends, "Be honest.. don't be nice."

Planning doesn't mean you can't change the plan mid day or mid week, but at least you'll have an idea of what those changes will look like at the end of the day/week.

Best of luck! :flowerforyou:

bump... good question