Hi I'm Loraine,

I started MFP in December '15 and lost 40lb by May. Then I went on a rampage and put 21lb back on by November. I'm slowly taking it off again but it is hard and the weight is stubborn.

I am going to a family destination wedding in April and want to lose a stone by then, I will by no means be finished but I will be in a lot nearer my end goal.

Hi everybody my name is Sarah

I joined in July 2014 weighing in at 192lbs. I didn't know the full benefit of this site until mid 2015 I started taking part in more challenges early this year. I have had my up and down's but as of last week I weighed 151lbs so I have lost 41lbs so far I still have a long way to go but I am hoping this challenge will help me lose another stone.

Hi all, this is my first time joining a forum of any kind. I spent most of my childhood very active and slim. But from the time I went to university (more than 20 years ago), the weight has slowly and steadily been creeping on. Now after 2 kids, a busy job, my weight seems to be stubbornly sticking on. I have tried numerous diets (Atkins, South Beach, Paleo), and they all work while I strictly follow it. But invariably I fall off the wagon and all the weight (and then some) comes raging back. I am so sick of this. This coming Easter, I turn 39. I am more determined than ever that I will not go into my 40s feeling bad about my body and my weight.

A few months back, I started strength training - something I have never tried before. I have found that it has amazing benefits (I am genuinely getting stronger, I sleep better, my asthma has reduced, my general immunity is much higher and now I rarely fall ill, I have more energy and just generally feel happier). What it does NOT do is reduce fat. But that's ok. The benefits have been so amazing, that I want to continue doing it (Pity MFP doesn't track calories for strength training).

This has made me realise more than ever how food is the primary driver of fat loss. I am done with fad diets - this time I want to find a solution that can work for the rest of my life. I've been experimenting with different kinds of food choices for a few weeks to see what would work for me. And tracking my meals and how I eat. I've realised that although what I eat is relatively healthy (most of the time), in the busy-ness of the day I sometimes have long gaps between meals and therefore am starving and tend to overeat afterwards. So now I have started eating 7-8 small meals during the day (every 2 hours from the time I wake up). I've only been doing this for 3 days, but I am seeing a big difference in my energy levels. No more ravenous eating of whatever I can find in the cupboard. Also have lost 1.4 pounds. So feeling good. Really hoping I can stick with this and finally achieve permanent fat loss.

So I have about 28 pounds to lose by Easter to get to goal weight. I don't know if that's a reasonable goal. But I'd be happy with any sustainable loss that doesn't come back.

All the best to everyone on here. Whatever your goal, I hope you achieve it!

Thank you LoraineGB for your kind welcome. Thanks for the tip on exercises - I added mine for today but it looks like calories are calculated only for cardio and not for strength training. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong, or if others have the same experience? Thanks again!

Hi. I just joined MFP. I am a college freshy and I have always been on the heavy side compared to my size. But, I recently gained over 10 pounds and I have had a hard time putting it down. Hoping working with others who have a similar goal will help motivate me!

Hi fellow weight loss travelers! My name is Margarita and I am so happy to have come across this group of pioneers. I can't wait to start this journey with all of you.
I live in The infamous "Brew City" known as Milwaukee Wisconsin. Home of the
Milwaukee Brewers!

Hi everyone!
I'm 22 and I've been using MFP for years ever since I was in high school but I've never been successful in losing more than 15lbs back in 2012 or so. Now, I'm tipping the scales at the heaviest I've ever been, weighing in at 270lbs. I started back on about a week ago with a goal of 2lbs between then and Jan 7. I don't keep a scale at the house as my partner cannot have one so I weigh in every few weeks when I visit my parents.
I like short term goals but I think a few short terms should lead into a challenge like this. Here's hoping to be down 14+ by Easter!