Biggest losers

Started at 367 In Jan 2016
Lowest was 225 in January 2017
Was back up to about 270 this past summer
Weighed in at 250.4 on Friday (before my family got together for Christmas and I ate and ate to my hearts content).

I would say three years in I haven’t made any maintenance changes because I haven’t reached my goal weight - though I am extremely satisfied with where I am, with more confidence, and equipped with greater knowledge than ever. The weight melted away at first, but I was nearly 370 lbs and went on a strict 1200-1300/day diet that was unsustainable. BUT in my mind it was necessary as I wasn’t trying to lose vanity weight I was trying to save my life, so I went after it at an extreme. Nowadays I pretty much eat what I want to eat, I just focus on measuring and logging accurately, and if I’ve done really well for a couple of weeks and I wanna enjoy and pizza and beer with my wife for dinner then we’ll enjoy pizza and beer. Nothing wrong with a little indulgence now and then so long as it is the exception and not the rule.

Since you seem new to MFP I would encourage you to peruse the success story boards and many people have spent time outlining their stories in great detail. It’s truly awe-inspiring stuff.

I get foggy on dates sometimes, but I went from 210 to 120 (I was as low as 115 and futz around with trying to get to 110) in about 18 months. It's been about 2 1/2 - 3 years I think.

As for changes for maintaining, sometimes I dial back exercise and eat the same amount, sometimes I just add a bit more cheese or slightly increase my portions. Since I'm older and short, there's not much of a calorie difference for me between maintaining and losing.

As for loose skin? Yes, I have plenty, but I already had it from having a big baby at 40 I now have even more. The thing about loose skin is that it's always worse right at the end of your loss, it tightens up a bit over the following 2 years, and some people continue to care about it and others find that it doesn't bother them much. I'm in the latter camp. Sure I'd love a perfect body, but I'm happy enough having a much better one that's a healthy weight.

236 to 179 . Currently around 185 - Track your intake - even when you don’t want to and even on days you go over - sometimes seeing the overage puts things in perspective- and you’ll slow down- I try not to drink calories - been struggling with beer lately tho - but I eat whatever I want just less of it - gonna try to drink more water this year and actually work out consistently - good luck my friend -

Of...forgot something I wish I had done at the beginning.

Don't just focus on cardio. Use the machines for strength at the gym...or use free weights. Building muscle carries you so much father than just burning through cardio! I do cardio 5 days a week and strength 3 days a week

I lost over 150 lbs over a year and a half. I was 278 lbs. Got down to 120 lbs and then gained some muscle and began toning. I'm now in the 140's/150's.

Changes that are really important to maintain is making sure you stay within your calorie range. And watching sodium levels. Too much sodium = water weight. And making sure that you keep moving/exercising, at least a couple times a week.

I did have some loose skin but taking a collagen supplement helped tremendously. Loose skin also adjusts over time, as well.

Consistency is KEY. If you eat well (calorie deficit) AND exercise *consistently* you WILL see results. It's a matter of WHEN you lose weight, rather than IF.

Having a Fit Bit helped me tremendously. It was a fun and exciting way to track my weight loss along with logging food on My Fitness Pal. Speaking of logging– Log EVERYTHING. Even if you're ashamed or embarrassed. Logging accurately and weighing food (like fruit/meat/veggies with a food scale) can make a huge difference & help you be aware of what you're putting in your body and the affect it has on it (why you gained/why you lost).

Something that I want to share as well that I feel was the true success to my weight loss is this: Taper your calories gradually. And cut the bad food out slowly. If you go from eating high fat/high sodium foods at 3,000 calories a day to eating lettuce leaves at 1,000 calories a day, it'll throw your mind AND body into shock. Cutting back slowly is how I truly feel helped me lose the amount that I did.

Water is also very important. I recommend drinking HALF your body weight in water ounces throughout the day (when I weighed 240 lbs, I would drink 120 ounces). I bought one of those 64 ounce water bottles, filled it up twice, & would sip it throughout the day. Often when we think we're hungry, we're actually thirsty.

Finding an exercise that you enjoy is crucial, as well. Something that you would like to return to, again & again. I do the Leslie Sansone Walk at Home DVDs. They get you moving, are fun, motivating, & easy to do! I have extreme social anxiety, so it's very difficult for me to go to the gym. Finding an exercise I could do at home was life saving.

Wishing you the very best in your journey!!

@tmwyles Have you been to Dr? I had a “bad leg” I thought it was my knee from surgery a couple years ago. Finally got correct diagnosis of a pinched nerve, but two years late. Surgery 11/7/18 now getting back to my pre pinched nerve leg.

BTW My WLJ
2013 SW 376 (age 65) Joined WW
2015 hit my -100 Made my focus to NOT gain it back. Lost -15#
2016-17 Lost 80#
2018 made my GW 184 (age 70)
2019 CW 178 (Less than when I was in High School)

Been doing aqua aerobics and swimming. Tried new things to experience Tai Chi, Chair yoga, kayak lesson and volunteering at LPGA tournament.

After my Lifetime of Losing then gaining it all back I learned there is no Finish Line if you want to not gain weigh.