I lost 214 pounds in 16 months....

....and I feel better now at almost 30 than I did at 18 (top left picture)! No surgery, pills, wraps, or shakes for this girl. Basically I just track literally everything I eat on MyFitnessPal. I've been all over the range of calorie goals, from 1,000 to 1,900. Right now I eat 1,700 calories a day (slowly upping it to maintenance.) I eat a lot of protein and veggies and try to keep the variety wide. I weigh everything on a scale or measure in cups/spoons. I cut out soda and sweet tea cold turkey. I slowly replaced everything possible with sugar free/low calorie versions although if it fits in my day I still splurge on things here and there. If it doesn't fit, I make it a cheat meal, which I allow once a week to once every month. I home cook 90% of my meals from scratch and love recipes from facebook pages Skinnytaste, Emily Bites, and Cooking Light to name a few. Feel free to add me on MFP as my diary is open [edited by mods].