Question for those of you have lost a large amount of weight

I lived healthier... no great secret in that. I started losing a long time before I had ever heard of MFP.

We all know what we're not supposed to eat... cutting out all the crap and starting to exercise makes a huge difference.

I used to live under the golden arches... I was constantly making a run for the border, I had KFC on speed dial... this wasn't good.

I started exercising when I realized that DIET alone wasn't sufficient. I reached a point where I realized... that too was doomed for failure unless I changed the way I lived.

Lifestyle... eating healthy and exercising.

It isn't a big secret.

Not some coded message.

Its a commitment to living healthy that wins the race.

Good Luck on your journey!

I don't follow any plans because I want to keep it off forever. This is not a diet for me. I eat what I want, just smaller portions. And I have days that aren't the best but I just move on to the next day & keep going. I don't usually go over on calories, try to eat lots of veggies, and I drink alot of water. I usually only drink water. I will use the flavor packets when I feel like I need something besides plain water. And I exercise. I feel so much better when I exercise & I am alot stronger.

Hi. I am by no means perfect. And I don't really know if the weight I have lost so far qualifies me as an expert in anything. But for me, what appears to be working is not a diet, nor specifically counting calories, or something one could really categorize. I consider it to be more of a lifestyle choice than a diet. It comes down to making a shift in two areas: Food, and Exercise.

Food - Prompted by a health scare (doctor said blood sugars were too high), I decided to stop eating and drinking what was, for me at least, toxic material. Suff like fast food. Soft drinks. Chips. Pizza. Pastas. Breads. Even juice. I made a commitment to myself to use my brain and think--really think--about what I was going to consume each day. And that required reading as much as I could to do my body right by myself. One book really has helped me immensely, and that is Michael Pollan's "Food Rules." It is a cheap paperback and a very quick read, but I use it as a reference and also as a bit of inspiration, and even gave a copy to a friend. I drink only water now, and don't miss the soft drinks I was addicted to in the slightest. And while I still consume some things that give me slight pause, for the most part, I am eating quality items.

Exercise - I made a commitment to myself to do some form of cardio three days a week, strength training three days a week, and give my body one day a week of "rest," where I don't feel compelled to do any exercise at all (unless I really really feel the need to). Starting out trying to run, it was more of a waddle, and then it was a lot of walking with a little running mixed in. For strength training, I was shocked at first at how much I COULD NOT lift or how many push ups I was limited to. But it has slowly and steadily been getting better.

Finally, I told myself that whatever I do, in both food and exercise, I had to do it alone, with no one urging me to carry on despite the inevitable challenges and setbacks. I think of it as sort of a solo adventure--like a climb up a mountain. If someone else has to haul me up the mountain, then I can't say I climbed it. Sure you get assists along the way. We all do. But the impetus must come from within. And also, whatever I do, it has to be a liveable, realistic experience, not something temporary. It has to be a complete lifestyle that I can do day in, day out, every day, for however long I have left on the journey.

Anyway, that sort of sums it up. I think it's an interesting question you ask, and I am sure you will get a lot of great responses, but this is the best I can offer. In some way, I hope it's helpful. Good luck to you and no matter what you do, I hope it is a fun and healthy experience!

I have lost 80 lbs over the past 16 months using my fitness pal and cardio 30 minutes a day. The greatest help with "my fitness pal" is the awareness of what I actually eat and the calories associated with the various foods. I was never taught to eat "correctly" from a "quality of food" perspective. Being aware has created the catalyst for making the famous "life style" change that is needed to keep the weight off. Permanent choices are required, but they are not sacrifices rather choices for better health. Tools that I use other than my fitness pal are:
- mile stone goals, ten lbs or pant size changes; reward yourself when achieved with clothes and donating bigger clothes to good will.
- share; communicate on face book, co-workers, friends, etc.... What you are doing and why? A management philosophy around "commitment to consistency" works. This pretty much states that people's behaviours tend to be motpst consistent with commitments made. Public commitments are the best, we are too afraid/embarrassed to fail in front of everyone.
-be active; walk, run, golf, scuba dive - do something that is physical and for you.
-determination; want to be healthy!
Good Luck and be determined,

I have the great privilage of working with the members of TOPS-Take Off Pounds Sensibly, a not-for-profit, non-commercial weight loss organization that is the oldest in the U.S. It started in 1948 in Milwaukee and today has grown to 160,000 members in more than 8,000 chapters in the U.S. and Canada.
TOPS is a remarkable organization that focuses on the individual, setting practical goals, plans and tools all developed with the help of healthcare professionals. There are weekly weigh-ins, informational and educational presentations, meal plans, advice and support.
Temple University researchers recently concluded it makes little difference if a person uses a low-fat or low-carb diet. Both are about equally effective. What makes the difference is support, a TOPS keystone.
I've spoken with dozens and dozens of members over the years and all say the same thing: that they couldn't have done it without TOPS and the support of fellow members, even when they don't lose a pound or may even gain a little. There's never a derogatory remark-just encouragement to continue. And it works. TOPS annual fee is $26 plus a modest ($5 or so) local chapter fee to cover the cost of office supplies, copying, coffee, etc.
TOPS also supports medical research through the TOPS Obesity and Metabolic Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Visit www.tops.org for details and to find a chapter near you.

i just read everyone story and it make me feel like i can achieve my weight lose goals. i know that i have to have will power and motivation. i think this will really help me.