What I wish I knew when I was just starting out

You will get bored of/annoyed/fatigued by logging and tracking everyday - and when you do, you will stop losing weight.

Weigh. Track. Log. Lose.

*That although you need to find a program or system that appeals to and works for you, ultimately its all just CICO.
*You don't HAVE to exercise to lose weight (although it's better for body recomp and health). I've lost 25 lbs so far, 10 in the last month alone, and haven't really exercised .
*1 lb is actually a lot to lose! That's 3500 calories you cut out! It's not a small or inconsequential thing.
*Scale readings that bounce around are not a sign that I ruined anything, or came across a magical fix, it's just water weight.

focus on the positives example the 5 walks you did instead of the one you missed

take lots of pics, frontal back shot side shot and compare them every month so much better then the scale.

you can suck at measuring lol I do but that's ok

the scale lies and don't let it be your only measurement. I had a month of not loosing but went down 1.5 sizes in my jeans.

pick something and stick to it tweak it but don't start over with something new every Monday

save your biggest underwear. when I'm having a down day I pull them out and set my current ones on top the size difference keeps me going.

if you mess up don't let it through of your whole meal or day...move on. I'll get back to it tomorrow doesn't work it will be no easier tomorrow.

water weight is real!!! and a real *kitten* don't let it discourage you it happens.

Oh, here is one BIG timesaver I figured out about logging in my meals. If I tend to make the same thing frequently, use the recipe function!

I like to make salads with some basics. So I created a recipe I call Cindy's Salad (nobody sees it but me if I don't click on the share button). I write the recipe with mixed greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, walnuts and vinegrette dressing. Then if I make a salad again, I click on Cindy's Salad, it posts, and I can add strawberries. Or boiled egg. Or whatever extra I want without having to log in the basics every time I make my salad.

That if you look at "losing weight" merely for the "outer" transformation (outside "looks") and consider merely the "outer" change to be your be all to end all of "losing" weight--that you will find yourself in the same "boat" of difficulties, trials and tribulations that "may" have contributed to your gaining/being obese and overweight in the first place. In other words, losing the weight for mere "vanity's" sake will more often than not cause you to, when the trials, tribulations and difficulties arise, to go right back to place of using food (or debt, addictions, stank attitudes, or whatever hinders and or (mentally/spiritually "disturb(s) you) once again. HOWEVER, if you look at being "transformed" completely ("by the renewing of your mind" totally CHANGING your entire "outlook/mindset" on/for your entire life/life itself and your "old" lifestyle), STARTING from the "inside" out FIRST, weight loss becomes a "given" and ALMOST (but not quite) effortless and even "natural" occurrence, a "by-product" so to speak. When/as you focus on the "root and unseen" issues & problems as priority, instead of the focusing on the "fruit" (the seen/felt) results (overweight, obese, out of control, and just plain yuck of your life) BAM! Here's come real, deep and lasting TRANSFORMATION and as your practice being transformed by the renewing of your mind, permanent positive change(s) starts "blooming" day by day.

Can people lose weight without REALLY and TRULY dealing with the mental/spiritual aspects of their lives as priority in their weight-loss quest, yep--ya bet your life they can and do ALL THE TIME. BUT, they will be the type that look in the mirror and still see themselves as fat, or they will be the type who say even though the weight is gone, they still feel exactly the same--the transformation will only be a "surface or vain/empty" one. Learning to LIKE YOURSELF AND THEN LOVE YOURSELF is a huge part of real inner and then outer glorious and marvelous change/transformation. Liking and loving and ACCEPTING (with JOY) the REAL you as priority in this quest helps destroy the old "image" of you, that you've "put-on" for years perhaps and truly isn't the real YOU and more important, as you forever rid yourself of the "weight that does so easily "beset" you, you won't develop and/or will forever rid yourself of a/the "fake/vain/empty persona" you hid behind and called you), but as you LEARN to like and LOVE and HUMBLY/THANKFULLY ACCEPT the real you, you will be transforming into the REAL you and it will be the true, unique and fabulous you that's always been there but was merely covered up to "go along to get along", be accepted, liked or whatever. When you accept and embrace, like and LOVE the real you--you won't give a rip about if people like you, accept you or if they don't--YOU will like and love the real/true you and then BAM! weight loss and lifestyle change happens in and thru you--it's tremendous!

Just like I hear people saying "abs are made in the kitchen". I wish I would have truly KNOWN/UNDERSTOOD/BELIEVED/walk in (practiced) the TRUTH that weight loss (something "loss" CAN be "found again btw--yikes) begins in the "mind/heart/spirit" FIRST and then once you get a handle on what's happening or not happening on the inside of you(your "thoughts" and "feelings"/your mind-set, the rest will follow. You will go from "chasing" weight-loss to finding real LIFESTYLE change and that "pursuit (if you will) just MAKES changing/real transformation so very FUN and COOL and an exciting adventure, instead of drudery, yo-yoing and just plain yuck!