100+ Pounds to Lose

Hey MFP Community,

I am a young female (almost 23), and I would like to lose at least 100 pounds. This is a monumental task, and it feels insurmountable right now.

I more or less know what I need to do (eat better, eat less, and move more), but the weight loss journey itself is daunting and it is way easier to give up then to keep going. I suppose what I need is motivation, and to be held accountable. That's where you come in :)

Anyone out there lost a large sum of weight? How much did you lose? How did you do it? What kept you going when you felt weak? Tips? Advice?

Is there anyone else here that is trying--or would like to begin trying--to lose a large amount of weight? How do you plant to start? What goals have you set for yourself?

Let's help and support each other! I will return to this forum to find advice, motivation, and inspiration, and also to check-in as a means of holding myself accountable to you guys.

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Replies

  • Afura
    Afura Posts: 2,054 Member
    So far I've lost 70pds, starting at 318pds (at my very heaviest I was 355, yikes) and I know how you feel, just the sheer amount is daunting. But hey, we don't want to be like this forever, so we just gotta start! There are a few groups out there that I belong to for people in the 200's, or losing 100+ pounds, etc. for more suport.
    My usual suggestions are:
    Do the best you can. Don't beat yourself up when you're not perfect. I know I tend to just continue bad eating habits if I figure **** it.
    Don't restrict foods, find a way to make it fit in your calories. If I had to give up chocolate, someone would die. (Hint: It wouldn't be me)
    Exercise is good, but not 100% necessary. If it hurts, or you have medical restrictions that keep you from even walking, just remember that it's about the calorie deficit - not how much you exercise, that just helps your overall health.
    Read a lot - I recommend starting with Most Helpful Posts Getting Started and Most Helpful posts General Diet and Weight Loss Help Must Reads. If someone tells you something that screams "for science!", ask them for the peer reviewed paper it was published in. Lots and lots of myths and crap floating around.
    That last part said, don't go in for the quick/gimmicky loss plans. Cleanses, detox, blah blah blah sustainable weight loss is about the calorie deficit.
    When you're discouraged - Get on MFP, go for a drive, paint your nails, whatever makes you feel better. There's a lot of information at first and there are times when we all get down. The point is not to quit, there are many people out there who have been, and are, successful at weight loss and maintaining! Check out the Success Stories category, really inspiring.
  • bubbajoe1066
    bubbajoe1066 Posts: 95 Member
    old fart here... 55 years old with 115 lbs to lose... started the day after x mas... dropped 48.8 lbs as of sunday... take heart.. if i can do this so can you... DO NOT LOOK AT THE TOAL!!!! take it 1 pound at a time, just 1... lose one pound you already know how to do it... once you lose 1 pound then lose another... and so on and so on... once you start you'll be surprised on how easy it is to make changes in your life to keep going..this is the place to start... great group of like minded people all striving to do the same thing... get healthy .. i'm here every single day.. not sure how much help i can be but i'm here if needed
  • mrsloganlife
    mrsloganlife Posts: 158 Member
    I have 100 pounds to lose (give or take) and am 26 pounds into it. I have tried before and always given up because I thought it was impossible to lose 100 pounds.

    So I set mini goals--and my Fitbit has actually helped too because it gives you badges for every 5 pounds lost (and man do I love those badges). But for me my first goal is to get out of the 200s and I get a husband approved shopping trip. It splits it up almost right down the middle.

    You are going to have weeks where it seems like the weight is just falling off, and then you are going to have weeks where the scale doesn't budge. Don't get discouraged! When that happens to me, I look back at all that I have already lost, measure myself (that is fun), and I keep going.

    You've already made the first step and that is by coming to MFP--you've got this!
  • amandawert59
    amandawert59 Posts: 2 Member
    I need to drop 100 pounds been doing good then hit a junk food binge and back to square one. (University exam stress eating)
  • Sindakhelekwen
    Sindakhelekwen Posts: 19 Member
    My goal is to lose 190 pounds from my highest weight (357). I had lost almost 30 pounds previously but ended up giving up and gaining it all back plus some. It's a huge task but it's not impossible as long as a person doesn't give up.
  • ashliedelgado
    ashliedelgado Posts: 814 Member
    Getting into the boards and actually learning about CICO changed weight loss for me. The idea that I did not have to starve? I could eat pizza? BREAD?!? Crazy. Completely changed the game. I went from losing and gaining the same 15lbs over and over to being down 71. I'm still 30 or so from goal, but as we are expecting in October, my focus has switched to maintaining my current weight (OB approved). It can be done. Just log everything. Weigh everything. If you get lax in your weighing and you notice things aren't moving, buckle down - that's almost always the culprit. Eat back your exercise calories - since machines and MFP over estimate, start by eating back half of them. In 6 weeks if you are losing too fast, eat 75% back and check again in 6 weeks. Let yourself eat the food you love and remember that this is a process that isn't linear.
  • Panda_Poptarts
    Panda_Poptarts Posts: 971 Member

    Heya! I'm 25, and have a similar goal. I am already down 75, and have another 75 - 100 to go. I understand feeling like it's insurmountable, but you CAN do this! Take it one day at a time, and choose small goals instead of big ones. Break that 100lb down into 10lb increments if it helps.

    My biggest bit of advice is to take pictures. When you hit a plateau (and you WILL hit a plateau) and feel like nothing is changing, pictures will be there for you to see the inches you're losing while the scale isn't moving. Best of luck to you. Remember, you can do this!
  • charlieandcarol
    charlieandcarol Posts: 302 Member
    I am finding a book called the Beck Diet Solution really useful. It was recommended on a thread on here (thanks to who ever that was I can't remember now). I "know" the practicalities of losing weight but find the mental stuff really holds me back and as a result have yo-yo and binged my way to being 70pounds or so overweight.

    The Beck Diet Solution is not a book with a diet in it. It is a book to help you psychologically prepare for the process of losing weight and then to help you adhere to the lifestyle changes and whatever "diet" you chose to use to help you make those changes and lose weight.

    It is based on cognitive therapy principles and provides useful strategies for when you don't have motivation, can't be bothered or feel like it is all too hard. Its about helping you set goals, undo bad habits and negative ways of thinking that can hold people back from achieving goals and I am finding that it is helping me.
  • mrskoopy
    mrskoopy Posts: 14 Member
    I have about 150 pounds to lose. Unfortunately this isn't my first rodeo in trying to lose weight. I tend to self sabotage, get frustrated when nothing has happened and quit before enough time has passed to see any changes. This time I have myself set up with a diet plan, I'm not beating myself up when I cheat, I'm working on finding new outlets for my boredom or emotions other than eating, and I've set myself up with a workout routine that includes cardio and strength training. It's taking a lot of work and while I haven't seen any changes in the scale, I'm noticing slight differences in how my body looks (the shifting of the fat you can say) and I notice an increase in my energy levels.
  • charlieandcarol
    charlieandcarol Posts: 302 Member
    That reminds be, the Beck solution suggests eliminating the word cheat and just acknowledging that you made the wrong choice or decision for achieving your goals and then moving on without any horrible self talk to yourself about it.
  • AffinityGamer
    AffinityGamer Posts: 5 Member
    edited April 2016
    I've just started on this journey (again). But I am serious about it this time. Very similar position to you; about 22 1/2 years old (do adults even count half years? lol). I have 100+lbs to lose. Probably aiming to lose 130 lbs ultimately, but I'm in the process of setting smaller goals right now. I'm about to graduate college, so I will simultaneously have MUCH more freedom and a complete shift in lifestyle once I settle on some post-graduation job. It could lead to a much more sedentary lifestyle again, so I'm trying to line my ducks up now to prevent myself from floundering.

    I'm currently working on purchasing basic home workout equipment (starting with hand weights! I feel like I could fly if I flapped my arms enough...). I'm focusing on developing a catalog of some basic, easy recipes I can fall back on for times I'm lost on cooking (thank you Pinterest and MFP!). Personally, if I don't feel like figuring out a recipe for the food I have in the kitchen, I'll end up making a quesadilla or snacking through the night. I'm fixing that now. As for goals, I'm detail/schedule-oriented (thank you college!), so I'll probably do some research and make realistic goals to lose this much weight by this so-and-so event/date. Again, I'm still new to this, but I feel I have the food part down, so my real struggle is the working out.

    I'm a private person, so I won't be reaching out to friends for support, but I will try recruiting my mom to join me in this journey (she's my best friend anyway). It'll be a bit harder if I move even further away after college, but I still think having at least one person to be accountable towards in your real-life is super helpful.

    And this forum already has oodles of advice, so I will also reference this! Thank you everyone!
  • kcraig6207
    kcraig6207 Posts: 33 Member
    Welcome! Joining MFP is a great step to a healthier you! I've tried many different diets and have found (with the help of MFP) that it does truly come down to CICO. I'm 32 and started with 130 pounds to lose and it seemed impossible. But the cliché "one day at a time" really is true. I put my information into MFP and stayed at my calorie goal each day. I never deprived myself of "bad" foods - yes I eat carbs and treats! I just make sure to do so in moderation; I make sure it fits in my calorie goal for the day. When I eat out, I try to look up menus prior (if possible) and make the best choice available. Have I gone over at times and had days with some bad choices?! Of course! But I don't let that snowball into bad weeks and months. I log it, learn from it and move on! I will say that it truly is becoming a lifestyle change for me since now it's easy to make healthy choices and I don't really think twice about it.

    After several months and reading the advice on these forums, I did purchase a food scale and use that as much as possible to ensure my logging is accurate. When I started, I focused solely on my diet. I lost over 40 pounds without any exercise. I've recently added exercise into my routine - mostly because my calorie goal keeps lowering and I want to eat more - oh and for the health and fitness benefits as well! :)

    Once I started see the pounds come off consistently it was easy to stay motivated! I am feeling so much better which makes this all worth it. Plus the compliments from others noticing now is definitely encouraging (but truly I'm doing this for me).

    Feel free to add me! I'm on here every single day and can provide support! You can do this!
  • Pattycake755
    Pattycake755 Posts: 59 Member
    Hey MFP Community,
    My name is Patricia. You mentioned motivation. I am 54 years old, and for 28 years (I wasn't always obese), I lived a sedentary life where I gave no thought to what I put in my body and now I am SICK. I was warned over and over again that if I did not eat healthy and exercise to lose the excess weight that I could get really sick. A year ago (2015) I was diagnosed with hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes. At 281lbs, I was the largest I had ever been but that was not enough MOTIVATION to stop me from mistreating my body. Fast forward one year later, I now have vision problems and nerve damage, and if I were to continue my reckless lifestyle, I might lose the use of my limbs through atrophy or amputation, or go blind, or destroy my kidneys, or die prematurely. MY MOTIVATION: OBESITY KILLS.

    I posted a full length picture of myself because a lot of times we hide the way that we really look due to shame. We don't feel good about the way we look and we are ashamed of the way we have treated our bodies but not enough to change our lifestyles. I am overcoming the shame; being obese became a lifestyle, therefore I will live a healthy lifestyle now and my weight loss will be a byproduct of saving my life. I used to start and stop, but now I am not anxious for the weight to magically disappear overnight. I realized that I lived an unhealthy lifestyle over a number of decades. Now I must live a healthy lifestyle in order to maintain a decent quality of life. Because I am NOT ON A DIET, yes, I can wait, if it takes me 2 years to lose 114lbs, I will live a healthy lifestyle because my life depends on it. That is my MOTIVATION.

    I hope that you and others can become motivated from my story, my two daughter sure have. Being a part of the MFP Community is a blessing. I can count carbs and calories and be apart of a community of like-minded individuals. I love it!

    27lbs lighter!!!!!!!!!!! (I lost 9lbs in the three weeks that I have been a part of the MFP Community)

    "I AM NOT ON A DIET, I AM LIVING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE."
  • Afura
    Afura Posts: 2,054 Member
    This popped into my head later on, take "before" pictures. You may not like them, you can hide them somewhere (buried on my hard drive), but you may want them for 'during' and 'maintenance' photos.
  • phillyhockeyfan
    phillyhockeyfan Posts: 57 Member
    I started counting calories in January. I'm down 45 so far with another 80 to go. I don't really have much to add that hasn't already been mentioned. What works for me is the following: Take pictures. Since gaining all this extra weight I hate being in pictures, I'm always the one taking them instead. I take one the first of each month, so I can compare my progress. It's nice to be able to see myself getting smaller. I also take measurements on the first of the month. Some weeks the loss will slow, it's nice to see the inches go down. Weigh yourself however many times works for you. By this I mean weigh in once a week, once a day, once a month, ect. I weigh first thing every morning. I'm a data person. I like to track it everyday. Just keep in mind loosing weight is not linear, there will be ups and downs. If you can't take that, try weighing less frequently. Buy a food scale. Weigh everything that isn't a liquid. Not all foods equal the same serving. Example I was eating crackers the other day serving size said something like 8 crackers/28 grams. Well 7 crackers was 28 grams so I only had 7. Most people over measure when using measuring spoons. Weighing is the better option. There will be days when you go over your calorie goal. It's ok. Just get right back at it the next day. Birthdays, holdidays, special occasions happen from time to time. Don't make yourself miserable by "dieting", indulge a little. Maybe eat lighter the rest of the day to give yourself extra wiggle room. When I first starting counting calories, it was tedious. Now it's second nature. It will get easier and faster. Make sure you log everything. Not everyone tracks water. I track my water with Fitbit. When I don't get enough water I don't loose as well as when I get more. That also goes for sleep as well. I used to get 5-6 hours a night. I read that sleep helps. I played around with it and found 8 hours works best for more consistent weight loss for me. Just find what works for you and stick with it. You didn't gain it all over night, it's not all gonna come off over night. Slow and steady wins the race. Good luck.
  • BuddhaB0y
    BuddhaB0y Posts: 199 Member
    I've lost 100lbs in the last 4.5 months. Still have more to lose, but it's going well.

    Advice:

    Get food scale
    Weigh all food at least initially to retrain yourself on proper portion sizes.
    Try to cut out empty calories like sugary pop and candy, carbs make you hungry and don't fill you, protiens are good bang for the buck! And start trying to find veggies you like.

    After I stopped drinking sugary pop cold turkey, about a month later I started really enjoying vegetables much more than I ever did before.

    You can set your goals to lose 1% of your body weight per week. I.e 450lbs = 4.5 per week calorie deficit you can lose safely.

    Except for the sugary pop I haven't cut anything else out. If I want a Big Mac I have one.

    I'm averaging 1800-2000 cals a day

    Your body will be super hungry and crave food as you restrict it.... It's like a baby throwing a temper tantrum trying to get its own way.... Until you can learn to live with a hungry feeling in your belly and know you will be ok, it will be a struggle to lose. But after 2 months I found the deep down hunger has largely abaited.

    Lastly: if you go over your calories for the day.... Don't beat yourself up about it, but be mindful of it the next day and work extra hard to try and stay under.

    Good luck with it
  • Sgt_Pepper33
    Sgt_Pepper33 Posts: 194 Member
    Hi all. I also have a rather large amount of weight to lose. To get to my goal, I need to lose 129 more pounds. And even then I will be at 200 pounds which still is overweight. I'm 5'11, but I believe that would still be considered overweight. Anyway, I have had body image issues and been overweight from a very young age. I was put on diets and made to feel like something was "bad" or "wrong" about me all through my life. After being through counseling, I am finally ready to do this for me! And in a healthy manner. It does seem like a HUGE task doesn't it? But, for once, I feel like I'm on the right task. I would love to have people support me and to support them in return!
  • Jamiempang
    Jamiempang Posts: 39 Member
    One huge piece of advice for those starting their weight loss journey... and it's a common mistake. Don't drop your calories too low. Please. You CAN lose weight the healthy way. Support is key. I'm always here for those who need me. I'm just a buddy click away.
  • richardgavel
    richardgavel Posts: 1,001 Member
    I lost 60 lbs from recent high, 80 from all time high. And I considered the first month to be less about the numbers and more about habit forming. Why? Because in the months to come, you always won't be motivated to hit the gym or eat smaller portions or log food. But if that's just a habit that's formed over time, motivation each and every time isn't as important. But motivation will be highest in the beginning. I hit the gym every day that first month, even I only went for half hour. I ate at home almost every day to make it easier to log. Now some of those tasks are habits like brushing teeth, not things I have to push myself to do.
  • halifax22
    halifax22 Posts: 4 Member
    Getting into the boards and actually learning about CICO changed weight loss for me. The idea that I did not have to starve? I could eat pizza? BREAD?!? Crazy. Completely changed the game. I went from losing and gaining the same 15lbs over and over to being down 71. I'm still 30 or so from goal, but as we are expecting in October, my focus has switched to maintaining my current weight (OB approved). It can be done. Just log everything. Weigh everything. If you get lax in your weighing and you notice things aren't moving, buckle down - that's almost always the culprit. Eat back your exercise calories - since machines and MFP over estimate, start by eating back half of them. In 6 weeks if you are losing too fast, eat 75% back and check again in 6 weeks. Let yourself eat the food you love and remember that this is a process that isn't linear.
    Getting into the boards and actually learning about CICO changed weight loss for me. The idea that I did not have to starve? I could eat pizza? BREAD?!? Crazy. Completely changed the game. I went from losing and gaining the same 15lbs over and over to being down 71. I'm still 30 or so from goal, but as we are expecting in October, my focus has switched to maintaining my current weight (OB approved). It can be done. Just log everything. Weigh everything. If you get lax in your weighing and you notice things aren't moving, buckle down - that's almost always the culprit. Eat back your exercise calories - since machines and MFP over estimate, start by eating back half of them. In 6 weeks if you are losing too fast, eat 75% back and check again in 6 weeks. Let yourself eat the food you love and remember that this is a process that isn't linear.
    Getting into the boards and actually learning about CICO changed weight loss for me. The idea that I did not have to starve? I could eat pizza? BREAD?!? Crazy. Completely changed the game. I went from losing and gaining the same 15lbs over and over to being down 71. I'm still 30 or so from goal, but as we are expecting in October, my focus has switched to maintaining my current weight (OB approved). It can be done. Just log everything. Weigh everything. If you get lax in your weighing and you notice things aren't moving, buckle down - that's almost always the culprit. Eat back your exercise calories - since machines and MFP over estimate, start by eating back half of them. In 6 weeks if you are losing too fast, eat 75% back and check again in 6 weeks. Let yourself eat the food you love and remember that this is a process that isn't linear.

  • halifax22
    halifax22 Posts: 4 Member
    I would love to be part of any group that has 100 pounds or more to loose. I just started using the app. I am just trying to explore to get the best benifiets. I have done lots of shake diets and lost lots of weight. Unfortunately I always put the weight back on plus. I am now at my heaviest and need to make a like style change. If anyone has any tips please let me know. Thank you!!
  • yessie916
    yessie916 Posts: 18 Member
    I have 100 pounds to lose (give or take) and am 26 pounds into it. I have tried before and always given up because I thought it was impossible to lose 100 pounds.

    So I set mini goals--and my Fitbit has actually helped too because it gives you badges for every 5 pounds lost (and man do I love those badges). But for me my first goal is to get out of the 200s and I get a husband approved shopping trip. It splits it up almost right down the middle.

    You are going to have weeks where it seems like the weight is just falling off, and then you are going to have weeks where the scale doesn't budge. Don't get discouraged! When that happens to me, I look back at all that I have already lost, measure myself (that is fun), and I keep going.

    You've already made the first step and that is by coming to MFP--you've got this!

    I'm on the same boat! I have 100+to lose and lost 27 lbs since I started in January. I agree with everything you said and even into my 3rd month I've experienced quick weight loss then weeks with none! Setting those mini goals has helped me and Im so looking forward to get to the 30 lbs loss cause then that means Im halfway to my 1st big goal of getting to 200lbs. That for me would be a big freaking deal and a major accomplishment. Start somewhere, make small sustainable changes, and keep focused on your goals!
  • Madwife2009
    Madwife2009 Posts: 1,369 Member
    I am no expert but I just wanted to say to everyone that whatever your weight-loss goals, it CAN be done. I know this as I discovered this morning that I have lost 100lbs. I have many more to go (approx 70lbs) but I also know that I WILL achieve this aim.

    Yes, it does seem impossible when you look at the bigger number - it's scary! But, with the right mindset, it can be done. I'd tried and failed before because my head wasn't in the right place/peer pressure/wrong type of "diet". This time around though, my head was in the right place and even back when I started, I knew that I'd succeed.

    I'm not just losing weight though, I am also trying to improve my fitness through exercise - not particularly vigorous stuff, just cycling, walking and occasional swimming.

    I weigh everything. If it goes into my mouth, it gets weighed and logged. This helps me to control my eating and my eating habits. I try to stay within my calorie goal, mostly this is achievable, sometimes I go slightly over. When I go over, I don't worry too much, I just try to do better the following day. A couple of hundred calories over one day isn't going to make a huge difference over the course of many months (and it will take months) but a couple of hundred calories every day might do.

    I view every day as a fresh start. Regardless of what happened the day before, every day is a reset.

    I started exercising. The first walk I went on, I had to keep stopping for a break. I got hot, sweaty and felt pretty miserable. That walk was about a mile. Not far, huh? But it was, for me. Unfit, fat me. But I did it. And I've tried to walk every day since, weather permitting. I now walk 6-8 miles a day and could easily walk further (it has taken me 8 months to get to this point). I also try to cycle daily as well (now that I don't feel stupid on a bike - I always used to worry that I'd look silly, being as I was so big). What I've found though, is that the cycling community are so friendly and passing cyclists will call out "hello!". My resting pulse when I started was 100bpm+. It's now hovering at around 60bpm, way more acceptable to me.

    I don't dwell on the big number. I aim small and work towards these. I don't look much further ahead than the next couple of pounds.

    It's frustrating. Water retention is a problem. Last week I jumped on the scales and had gained 2lbs, due to water weight. This week it had gone, along with a bit more. Weight fluctuates, you have to be patient. When I haven't lost, or have gained, I get mad for a couple of minutes and then calm down because I know that this process WORKS and I have to be patient.

    Your health will improve as you go. I feel vastly different to how I felt eight months ago. No more swollen ankles/acid reflux/feeling like a lump. I have loads more energy. I can RUN (okay, short bursts, but I can run). I feel AMAZING.

    My one regret? Not doing this sooner. Wish I'd started YEARS ago. I've put my health at risk and my family's happiness at risk. That saddens me but I'm doing something about it now. Better late then never I suppose.

    I'll shut up now. My final piece of advice? Don't wait. Just do it. Now.
  • laur357
    laur357 Posts: 896 Member
    Break it into chunks if you're feeling overwhelmed. Focus on losing the first 10 pounds (losing 10 pounds 10 times might sound easier than 'OMG, I have to lose 100 pounds!!'). Reward yourself with something fun after a 5% weight loss, 10% weight loss, etc.

    Focus on tracking first. Really get into the habit. Track it even if you go over or eat something you didn't plan on. Then find exercise you really enjoy. Swimming, biking, dance classes, running, tug of war and dodgeball. You don't need to in order to lose weight, but seeing what your body is capable of doing is can be really motivating.

    When I started, I had a freak out moment - then I wrote down everything I could possibly think of that I wanted in my life but wasn't accomplishing because of my weight (real or imagined). Superficial stuff, health stuff, social stuff, career stuff - it was pages long. I'm down 60 pounds, and have already crossed a lot of stuff off of that list. My goal reward is surfing lessons - 55 pounds to go!
  • HamsterManV2
    HamsterManV2 Posts: 449 Member
    A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. Don't focus on the end goal, focus on tracking your calories day in, day out.

    And remember, the longer it takes to achieve your goals, the more permanent this change will be. Those who lose a large amount of weight steadily will keep it off - you are in control of your decisions.
  • cate320
    cate320 Posts: 130 Member
    laur357 wrote: »
    Break it into chunks if you're feeling overwhelmed. Focus on losing the first 10 pounds (losing 10 pounds 10 times might sound easier than 'OMG, I have to lose 100 pounds!!'). Reward yourself with something fun after a 5% weight loss, 10% weight loss, etc.

    This is what keeps me focused. I have 70 lbs to go until 'healthy' weight, and 90 lbs to go until my ultimate goal. I actually made a list of rewards for every pound I lose, with bigger ones at the milestones. All luxury items that will help with my self esteem as I go along. Things I like to buy, and have fun shopping for, but don't usually splurge on unless I really need to - like makeup and clothes.

    Surfing lessons sounds like a fantastic reward for your goal weight. Mine is SCUBA lessons :)

  • crystalnichols395
    crystalnichols395 Posts: 68 Member
    I am trying to lose a total of 140-150 pounds. I started this journey a year ago and by august 2015 I was down 40 pounds and was so proud of myself. I was totally motived by only myself. Then vacation time came around and I fell off and I have since gained 20 pounds back. I'm trying hard to get back into it but it's so hard. Once you get use to saying no to unhealthy foods and saying no to foods that's going to make you go over your calorie count it will become a habit and it will get easier. You have to find the motivation inside you first before anyone else can motivate you. It will take time to get into it fully but once you start and the pounds start dropping you will feel so much better and that will motivate you even more. I also think that the reward program will help out to. I also found that when my clothes started getting bigger and wouldn't fit I didn't keep them once I got some new clothes. Keeping your old bigger clothes only tells you that you think you will give up. You can do this. I can do this. You can add me as a friend and we can help each other. But remember you have to want this for yourself to be able to make it happen.
  • mmarshall74
    mmarshall74 Posts: 183 Member
    I started with 130+ pounds to lose and am down 80 in little over a year. It's hard at first but when you start to see (or feel) the progress, it gives you huge motivation to continue. Like other have said: get a food scale and weigh everything; I started a regular exercise routine and the hard work at exercise helps motivate me to eat better and stay at a deficit. Incorporating resistance training has helped me a lot... it seems to slow my loss on the scale but clothes fit better and I feel stronger. Don't let bad days or even week make you give up. Everyone slips up and overeating or cravings win out sometimes. Log everything (even terrible days). You can learn a lot about your "trigger food" or craving by looking back at "bad" days. Drink lots of water. No quick fixes, fads, cleanses, pills.... slow and consistent wins at "fat" loss. Look at it as a lifestyle change and only make changes you can do for the rest of your life. Good luck. If I can do this anyone can.....
  • Pattycake755
    Pattycake755 Posts: 59 Member
    I started with 130+ pounds to lose and am down 80 in little over a year. It's hard at first but when you start to see (or feel) the progress, it gives you huge motivation to continue. Like other have said: get a food scale and weigh everything; I started a regular exercise routine and the hard work at exercise helps motivate me to eat better and stay at a deficit. Incorporating resistance training has helped me a lot... it seems to slow my loss on the scale but clothes fit better and I feel stronger. Don't let bad days or even week make you give up. Everyone slips up and overeating or cravings win out sometimes. Log everything (even terrible days). You can learn a lot about your "trigger food" or craving by looking back at "bad" days. Drink lots of water. No quick fixes, fads, cleanses, pills.... slow and consistent wins at "fat" loss. Look at it as a lifestyle change and only make changes you can do for the rest of your life. Good luck. If I can do this anyone can.....

    I totally agree. We have to look at it as a "lifestyle change" because diets have start dates and stop dates, and we often feel disappointed when we hit plateaus because we are "dieting." If you continue to eat healthy, count calories and exercise, you will ultimately arrive at your goal weight. That is what I understand now. Diets make you anxious for results.
  • message4michelle
    message4michelle Posts: 19 Member
    Afura wrote: »
    This popped into my head later on, take "before" pictures. You may not like them, you can hide them somewhere (buried on my hard drive), but you may want them for 'during' and 'maintenance' photos.

    I can't agree more! As much as I HATE cameras, I really wish I had taken some "before" pictures. I had to really dig to find one. As horrible as it may seem, I think it's important. I would also advise you to take measurements. It will be so incredibly satisfying to compare with them after you've started losing weight and inches.

    I've lost just over 100 pounds and am nearing my final goal. For years I didn't believe it was possible. But when you achieve the impossible, it is the most liberating, freeing experience. You'll be unstoppable. YOU can do this. Yes, YOU... really!