What was the main thing you did to help you lose the weight?

13

Replies

  • TriMama12
    TriMama12 Posts: 8 Member
    In addition to weighing and logging I've learned that *I* cannot eat anything after dinner. I seem to be incapable of just having a reasonable sized snack. One reasonable sized snack always turns into a minor binge that puts me over my calorie limit for that day. So now I just eat dinner and call it a day.
  • IpakDaley
    IpakDaley Posts: 46 Member
    Being honest with myself with logging. Keeping my eye on the ball.
  • chimaerandi
    chimaerandi Posts: 153 Member
    I just reached my original goal about a week ago (hemming and hawing between going for more or not but whatever)

    besides weighing my food, which has been said many times:

    --weekly deficits/banking for the weekends. This allowed me to be a part of regular life easily, go out with friends, etc, which made this not feel all that painful.
    --Not cutting out foods, which would have made me feel deprived and restricted in a way that doesn't work for me. There's nothing I "can't have" and that's good for me.
    --prepping my lunches especially ahead of time
    --Planning my week as far as indulgences and meals, etc.
  • AndrewLavish
    AndrewLavish Posts: 3 Member
    Life-long program dieter. No matter how much I exercised, I could never get off of the plateau that I would eventually hit. I found an amazing nutritional system that only helped me reach my goal weight but to help me crush it. And I have maintained for nearly 18 months now!
  • yusaku02
    yusaku02 Posts: 3,472 Member
    Either started running a daily 5k or cut out snacking between meals. I started by doing both at the same time and the first 20lbs flew off.
  • CooCooPuff
    CooCooPuff Posts: 4,374 Member
    I took garcinia cambogia, drank nothing but green tea, allowed myself two calories per day, and ate clean. :smile:

    Honestly, I started cooking food I enjoyed, found an exercise program I actually wanted to do, and listened to the basics.
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    edited April 2016
    I got a hyperactive thyroid, haha!! I was doing OK with "just" weighing food and logging, exercising, etc - but I won't lie the metabolic skyrocket did me a huge favor in terms of weight loss (I am quite well aware that it brought other not-so-awesome side effects along for the ride though). I often feel like I totally "lucked out" or "cheated" in a way. But at the same time it was tracking and knowing there was no way in hell that my activity level should have me at a 3800+ calorie TDEE that alerted me there was even an issue, and got my doc to take me seriously enough to order the lab work that confirmed it, so that was good.
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    kgirlhart wrote: »
    I started counting calories and eating at a deficit. I have not restricted anything except calories. I sometimes choose not to eat certain things if the calorie count is too high, but if I really want something I make it fit. I do measure almost all of my food but I also eat out usually once or twice a week and so I have to guesstimate on that. I have also started walking every day. But that is more because I am trying to be more fit and not just lose weight. Eating at a deficit has been the key for me.

    So this.

    With me, walking led to running. Getting to eat back exercise calories helped me not be hangry, plus I fell in love with running.

    I cut back a lot on soft drink, but still allow myself a small coke most weekend days.

    The main things were making room in my calorie limit for the things I love, and eating most of my exercise calories back.

    79 lbs lost in 12 months and reached goal.
  • bpetrosky
    bpetrosky Posts: 3,911 Member
    Consistent, rigorous, and relentless use of a food scale for precise portion planning.
    Picking lower calorie options when eating out.
    Regular therapeutic doses of pizza and ice cream.
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    Just being aware of what I ate by counting calories and making better food choice and being more active is what helped me lose weight before and this time as well.
  • snowflake930
    snowflake930 Posts: 2,188 Member
    Eating less calories than I burned and logging every single thing I ate and drank.
    BTW, I have been on maintenance for 29 months, it still holds true except I am now eating the same number of calories burned and I still have to log everything. I will not be in the 80% that gains back the weight lost within 5 years.................goal change, but still watching and aware of what I am eating and drinking.
  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    jax_006 wrote: »
    What was the main contributor that helped you lose the weight you did? I am looking to readjust things for myself. I would love to hear some insight from the MFP community :) thanks!

    Ate at a deficit.

    Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!!!! B)
  • GaryH1989
    GaryH1989 Posts: 2 Member
    For me it was without a doubt to stop drinking my calories. At my heaviest 348lbs, I used to drink more in calories then I eat now.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    It was eye opening when I started using a food scale. That is the number 1.
    Pick the right entries in the database for foods here.
    Move as much as possible as it helps with the deficit.
  • paulajobelle
    paulajobelle Posts: 23 Member
    log daily (to keep me honest), mixing up my exercise routines (to avoid being bored which is the death knell for me), reminding myself of why I am doing this regularly.
  • hypodonthaveme
    hypodonthaveme Posts: 215 Member
    New here, but have lost some in the past few months. Here is what works for me. 1. Prayer 2. Determination 3. Will Power 4. Exercise 5. Stopped using dieting and switched to saying healthy eating ( less restrictive and gives me choices) 6. Support 7. The right dose of medications that I am on. I have lost 1/2 of what I need to. I have gone from Obese on the BMI to overweight. In 15 lbs I will move to just in the normal range.
  • brb_2013
    brb_2013 Posts: 1,197 Member
    SezxyStef wrote: »
    Jeffrey300050 wrote: »
    Exercise and reducing simple carbs

    this is not required for weight loss.

    This topic about people's own strategies for success. Maybe it's not required as a rule but it's helped this person stick to their goals and make weight loss happen for them.

    So I say good for you Jeffrey!
  • brb_2013
    brb_2013 Posts: 1,197 Member
    scolaris wrote: »
    Consistency over perfection.

    I gotta say I haven't seen you around in a while and I've missed your posts! You're basically what I hope to grow to, the way you view weight loss and life in general are so refreshing. Glad to see you around again!
  • nuttynanners
    nuttynanners Posts: 249 Member
    I started an exercise program that combines strength and cardio. I'm almost 2.5 months in. Only ~2 weeks left. Haven't lost a ton of weight, only around ~10 lbs, but I can tell my body has undergone some recomposition.

    I have found that I thrive on having a routine. And giving up alcohol, for the most part.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Eating the right number of calories - and the maximum amount of cals I can eat while still losing.
  • mankars
    mankars Posts: 115 Member
    Tracking my calories closely... this app somewhat helps.
  • CrabNebula
    CrabNebula Posts: 1,119 Member
    Got rid of my fatlogic.
  • StaceyWalks
    StaceyWalks Posts: 10 Member
    rbfdac wrote: »
    42firm03 wrote: »
    In addition to sticking to a calorie deficit and weighing my food?

    Finally grasping that it takes time. Allowing it to take time and getting over the fact that it wasn't going to be fast. This finally allowed me to do the first part long enough to get 60lbs off myself.

    I have more to lose but not being morbidly obese is awesome and well worth the patience.

    This, exactly. I stick to a calorie deficit and weigh all food in addition to working out for a cardio health and a little additional deficit.

    In the past I was entirely too impatient. I have(had) a lot of weight to lose (100 pounds) and starting from the beginning was scary. I have been up and down for years because when I didn't see the weight coming off "fast enough" I would become frustrated and give up. I've also finally just kept on trucking, knowing that my diligence would pay off. And 60 pounds later, it sure has. I've got 40 more to go, and I'm well aware it's going to take some more time, so I'll just stick with it!

    I realized this has been me for years. Impatient and giving up because it's not fast enough.
    Trying to take it one day at a time right now. With a lot of patience !
  • Betterfocus
    Betterfocus Posts: 2 Member
    Exercising (walking at 3.5 mph or more for at least a half hour) in order to be able to have a less restricted calorie intake is the main thing for me. Second would be minimal sugar intake which helps me not crave junk food/sweets.
  • jessiethe3rd
    jessiethe3rd Posts: 239 Member
    A. Setting the mind to the hard work
    That is to say, getting over the mental block. By that I mean being resolute in success and not giving in.

    B. Weighing food
    Its so simple, even a cave man can do it... Calories in, calories out. Eating the right omega-3 & omega-6 foods.

    C. Staying in ketosis
    For me 60/35/5 was the right balance and fat heavy diet with ghee and other heart healthy fats

    Results? I am down a total of 32 pounds and I have about 40 to go to goal weight.
  • AndrewLavish
    AndrewLavish Posts: 3 Member
    Carlos_421 wrote: »
    AndrewLavish wrote: »
    Life-long program dieter. No matter how much I exercised, I could never get off of the plateau that I would eventually hit. I found an amazing nutritional system that only helped me reach my goal weight but to help me crush it. And I have maintained for nearly 18 months now!

    What's the 1-800 number? And do I get a free shaker cup with my order?

    (Sorry, but this post just read like the script of a bad commercial.)

  • AndrewLavish
    AndrewLavish Posts: 3 Member
    You're really not sorry. If it were a commercial, I would've advertised my product. My story is real and personal to me. Be kind.
  • CompanionNerd
    CompanionNerd Posts: 17 Member
    Commitment, I used to do really well and then I would slip up and get so discouraged I would quit, now I am just committed to making these lifelong habits so if I mess up I just do better the next day and move on. No stress. I view my exercise as just a part of being an adult, like paying bills or brushing my teeth. Sometimes I even enjoy it. 55+ lbs gone and I just keep on, keeping on.
  • jamesorainbow
    jamesorainbow Posts: 1 Member
    Keeping a food journal, weighing my food and getting plenty of exercise has allowed me to lose weight and maintain a healthy diet.
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