Write just 1 tip which triggered your weight loss.

When I logged honestly. When I don't log, I lie to myself about how much I eat

My doctor threatened me with cholesterol meds 😳

rosebarnalice wrote: »

When I logged honestly. When I don't log, I lie to myself about how much I eat

Same. I tend to mindlessly snack, so just by tracking alone I became a more mindful eater.

My trigger was being diagnosed as diabetic type 2, three years ago this week. I was shocked. However, I was adamant that I didn't want medication and would sort myself out via diet - my GP gave me 6 months to prove I could lower my blood sugar number myself, otherwise I was going on to tablets. I knew I had to be serious about losing weight, instead of half-hearted attempts followed by resuming my previous eating patterns.

As to what helped - smaller portions. I've stuck to eating things I like, otherwise I'd be far more likely to give up. But I reduced portion sizes of calorie (and carb)-laden things like potatoes, pasta and rice and, instead, load my plate with more veg instead. Tracking everything I ate, honestly, on MFP was also key - it helped me keep tabs on my carbs as well as my calories. Losing weight whilst still enjoying my meals was a revelation - no need to deprive myself of entire food groups.

My blood sugar number has come down at each subsequent blood test and I'm now back to normal levels (not even in the pre-diabetes range) so I've never taken medication - and it's up to me to make sure I stay that way. Although I've lost a bit more since, I reached my target weight last March. In the interim two years, I learned what a proper portion size is for me as well as what keeps me away from the snacks cupboard and what doesn't.

When I stopped mindlessly snacking. If I am hungry, I make a plate and sit down and eat it. No more just grabbing handfuls of whatever I find in the pantry.

My trigger was dangerously high cholesterol, almost getting stuck in the bath and daily problems getting out of bed and walking downstairs after I had managed up.
I put my success this time down to my decision to cut out biscuits/cakes, sweets/chocolate and icecream. The result is 6 years plus in maintence and nearly 7 stone lighter.

I guess it was developing GERD. Silver lining. It hurt so much to eat that I didn't eat much. Then all the GERD rules helped, especially no food after dinner. Since my weight was already dropping, I figured it was a good time to get back down into all the XS/S/size 4 clothes that were put away. MFP made it easier than ever before to drop 20+ pounds, though!

A couple things did, I was unhappy with my weight gain for a long time but what really kicked my butt to actually put the work in was not fitting in my favourite skirts. I love my clothing and my skirts are typically bought from unique little shops, there is no going back to buy a bigger size. I was distrot and decided enough was enough... I'm getting back in those clothes again!

The trigger was not being able to eat for a few days due to illness and not surprisingly I lost a bit of weight. That made me do some serious self-reflection.

The main thing was throwing away the excuse that it wasn't my fault I got fat and replacing it with the thought that is was totally my responsibility how much I ate. Instead of passive acceptance of my situation it changed into a series of active choices big and small.

Once you get your head straight the rest comes down to selecting methods to change your calorie balance using your particular strengths and mitigating your weaknesses.

Logging calories - it was a game changer!

I stopped eating breakfast, we don't get up till late so first meal of the day is lunch. That started the process . I only loss 4 lb so far but I have more energy and most important I feel good about myself.

What actually triggered my weight loss? Being bombarded by Noom ads on Facebook. Not sure why I decided to actually start a trial there, since I was convinced weight loss wasn't possible - perhaps the approach that sounded different?
I ended the trial prematurely since I didn't enjoy the personal coaching side of it and looked for an alternative food logging app. I had zero confidence in the approach (yet again, not sure why I did it if I didn't believe it could work). But here we are 18 months later and I've lost 55lbs so far and now aiming to lose only some 'vanity lbs' after successfully going from obese (BMI 34) to borderline overweight. at the moment.

Tips for succesful weight loss: I intentionally chose a slow weight loss rate: I wasn't in a particular hurry and I was worried about loose skin. But choosing a slow rate of loss gave me a calorie goal that was very easy to follow (and I always ate back my calorie adjustments my step counter/fitness tracker gave me, so even more calories to consume).
Being very level-headed about weight fluctuations also helped a lot: I simply log them daily and look at the long term trend.
And also: I allow myself to eat anything I want, no foods are forbidden. Within my calorie goal, but also above my calorie goal sometimes: if I've banked calories, or for special occasions or simply because. I realise it might set me back a few days, but that's a consideration I make before deciding to eat more (pros and cons).

Stop skipping meals.

I never eat breakfast and somewhere along the way I stopped eating Lunch too and gaining weight. By adding lunch back in, I started loosing the weight because I felt more full for longer.

I stopped drinking soda years ago and although I have one every once in a while that was the best decision.