Hi guys, Just started my weight loss journey

According to the Body Mass Index (BMI), I was considered OBESE. As a result, I became obsessed with losing weight which led to a LIFESTYLE CHANGE!

My obsession started with changing my mindset. My motto about food now is "EAT TO LIVE, NOT LIVE TO EAT". I'm 46 years old at 4'11" and my weight loss journey is as follows:

SW 145.6 lbs on 9/17/2016 (BMI = Obese)
CW 128.4 lbs as of 12/4/2016 (BMI = Overweight)
UW 105 lbs by 2/20/2017 (BMI = Desirable Weight). But I will settle for 112 lbs (BMI = Desirable Weight) by that date and will continue to work towards my UW goal.

MY STRUGGLE IS REAL!!! But since changing my mindset, MFP has become an obsession for me when tracking my meals and macros. Although I meet, exceed or don't meet some of my macros; I'm still losing an average of 1 to 1.5 lbs a week. Consequently, my weight loss has been slow and steady which is the best way. Replacing coffee to include cream and sugar with oolong and green tea (+ 1 tbs honey & lemon juice) has helped a lot as well as following this simple and most effective rule: 80% Clean Diet + 20% Moderate Exercise = WEIGHT LOSS!

Last, I've learned that there are no shortcuts! Creating a calorie deficit (through moderate calorie restriction and increase in physical activity) is the only way to lose weight. Any plan that does not require sacrifice is unrealistic and leads to failure!

Since the beginning of my LIFESTYLE CHANGE, I've gone from a size 9 to a size 6. My ULTIMATE goal is to get back into a size 2.

YOU CAN AND WILL SUCCEED!

I've lost 73 lbs since March 2016. I did it for me, my wife, and my kids/grandkids. I wanted to live, to enjoy life, not just wait for an early and certain exit. I've gone from wearing a XXXL down to a M in most shirts. My blood pressure is normal, blood work is perfect now. A good diet, i.e., calorie restriction, and exercise is essential. I started walking a couple months into the diet, then once I got a bunch of the weight off (about 45 of it), started jogging. Now, I run over 20 miles/week, and just last night ran a 5k late at night while I'm on a business trip, and for the first time in my life, I never stopped to walk, ran the whole way. It comes in little victories. Just start small, log your diet and activity every day, and don't forget to enjoy life. That means, it is ok to have a dessert, an indulgence once in a while. If you don't, you'll be miserable and start to hate this journey, think of it as a burden. Just know, the next day, you'll get back to your routine. Good luck and God bless!

How are you getting on?