How long have you been on MFP, At Goal, Maintaining ?

2»

Replies

  • steveko89
    steveko89 Posts: 2,223 Member
    mpkpbk2015 wrote: »
    steveko89 wrote: »
    - I've been on MFP since 2012
    - After my initial weight loss my goals shifted away from scale-defined success
    - Since that initial loss phase I have controlled my weight within the confines of "healthy" continuously since mid 2012.
    - I consider myself healthy for the duration or my time on MFP but my fitness has improved dramatically. I'm considerably stronger and leaner now at almost 32 than at 23 when I started.

    Congrats from 2012 to 2021 what an accomplishment I am in awe. I too have finally come to the point where I don't let the scale define my success I weigh but I also measure myself ateach weigh in to check for inches lost. Thanks for sharing and affirming my beliefs. <3

    Thanks. MFP is now really just a passive self-care habit. Personally, it got to a point where just staying "not-fat" wasn't satisfactory and I really started focusing on building strength and improving my physique. In the last five years I've basically bounced between 170 and 180 lbs while going from 18% BF in 2015 to <12% before starting a massing phase in fall of last year.
  • SocoAndLime
    SocoAndLime Posts: 1 Member
    I have been a member since 2016 when I was in my second year of college. I used MFP daily and wasn't sure why i wasn't seeing any changes. fast forward to September 2019 i was 185 and at my heaviest. I decided to start again and weigh my foods and track for a week eating the normal foods and portions. I was shocked because I did try to eat healthy. Then I started tracking/weighing my portions but let myself be flexible and not too strict because i have a tendency to binge if I restrict too much. Going that route did take longer and it took me 6 months, but I was able to lose 27 pounds! My goal was 160. In April 2020 i weighed 156.5 but in the coming months I stabilized at 159ish I have been maintaining for a about 6 months now and I currently weigh 158.6. Now that i know exactly what I need to do I'm ready to push myself further and get to 150 by May!
  • ruqayyahsmum
    ruqayyahsmum Posts: 1,513 Member
    mpkpbk2015 wrote: »
    I joined February 2012
    So far I've lost just over 170lb
    I lost and gained the same bit the first 2 years then slowed to standstill in 2016 with my suprise baby
    I still have 60-80lb to go
    I'm no longer virtually immobile

    I am totally inspired 170 pounds lost great job. I respect your stick to it attitude.And resolve to get it done. Thank you for your story. Good luck on the rest of your journey. <3

    Thank you, it had to be done. I was given 5 years to live and was the single mum of a disabled child

    Losing weight made my son a possibility I was told I couldn't have more kids, we can't imagine life without him now and I can keep up with the kids (my son has autism and ADHD) and I can hike for hours with him on my back

    Sticking with MFP and getting my friend to act as an accountability buddy has been key to getting where I am now
  • ruqayyahsmum
    ruqayyahsmum Posts: 1,513 Member
    Should point out I have 2 kids
    15 year old girl with cerebral palsy and autism
    And my 5 year old boy born mid weight loss who's a ball of pure energy 😂
  • Megan_smartiepants1970
    Megan_smartiepants1970 Posts: 43,604 Member
    I have been on and off MFP since 2009.... I had a bad habit of giving up on myself and deleting my accounts ....I came back Dec. 2018 and have lost 53 lbs ..with 76 more to go :)
  • mpkpbk2015
    mpkpbk2015 Posts: 766 Member
    steveko89 wrote: »
    mpkpbk2015 wrote: »
    steveko89 wrote: »
    - I've been on MFP since 2012
    - After my initial weight loss my goals shifted away from scale-defined success
    - Since that initial loss phase I have controlled my weight within the confines of "healthy" continuously since mid 2012.
    - I consider myself healthy for the duration or my time on MFP but my fitness has improved dramatically. I'm considerably stronger and leaner now at almost 32 than at 23 when I started.

    Congrats from 2012 to 2021 what an accomplishment I am in awe. I too have finally come to the point where I don't let the scale define my success I weigh but I also measure myself ateach weigh in to check for inches lost. Thanks for sharing and affirming my beliefs. <3

    Thanks. MFP is now really just a passive self-care habit. Personally, it got to a point where just staying "not-fat" wasn't satisfactory and I really started focusing on building strength and improving my physique. In the last five years I've basically bounced between 170 and 180 lbs while going from 18% BF in 2015 to <12% before starting a massing phase in fall of last year.

    Your welcome nice habit to have. Your BF % is amazing your a true success story. :)
  • mpkpbk2015
    mpkpbk2015 Posts: 766 Member
    mpkpbk2015 wrote: »
    I joined February 2012
    So far I've lost just over 170lb
    I lost and gained the same bit the first 2 years then slowed to standstill in 2016 with my suprise baby
    I still have 60-80lb to go
    I'm no longer virtually immobile

    I am totally inspired 170 pounds lost great job. I respect your stick to it attitude.And resolve to get it done. Thank you for your story. Good luck on the rest of your journey. <3

    Thank you, it had to be done. I was given 5 years to live and was the single mum of a disabled child

    Losing weight made my son a possibility I was told I couldn't have more kids, we can't imagine life without him now and I can keep up with the kids (my son has autism and ADHD) and I can hike for hours with him on my back

    Sticking with MFP and getting my friend to act as an accountability buddy has been key to getting where I am now

    God Bless you and your son. You are truly astonishing. I have found my journey to to be better with supportive friends who keep me accountable too. Wish I could give you a great big hug. <3
  • mpkpbk2015
    mpkpbk2015 Posts: 766 Member
    I have been a member since 2016 when I was in my second year of college. I used MFP daily and wasn't sure why i wasn't seeing any changes. fast forward to September 2019 i was 185 and at my heaviest. I decided to start again and weigh my foods and track for a week eating the normal foods and portions. I was shocked because I did try to eat healthy. Then I started tracking/weighing my portions but let myself be flexible and not too strict because i have a tendency to binge if I restrict too much. Going that route did take longer and it took me 6 months, but I was able to lose 27 pounds! My goal was 160. In April 2020 i weighed 156.5 but in the coming months I stabilized at 159ish I have been maintaining for a about 6 months now and I currently weigh 158.6. Now that i know exactly what I need to do I'm ready to push myself further and get to 150 by May!

    Thanks for sharing, You will do it I know. Good luck on your way to the finish line. Take care.
  • mpkpbk2015
    mpkpbk2015 Posts: 766 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I've been on MFP since the fall of 2012 and hit my goal and 40 Lbs lost in the spring of 2013. I more or less maintained that weight until 2020 save for the 5-10 Lbs I usually gain in the winter and would take off in the spring. After my initial weight loss I got really into endurance road cycling and doing various cycling events and tours. I was pretty hard core with it until about 2018.

    At that point I was having a combination of a bit of burnout combined with having more life on my plate in regards to kids bringing home more homework, soccer practice and games, flag football practice and games, archery, etc. Just really didn't have time or frankly the desire to continue slogging out 100 miles+ per week on the bike. 2018 and 2019 I spent a lot more time just being active...still road, but wasn't training or anything...more like taking the bike out to meet up with the group at the coffee shop and such. Did more hiking and dabbled in rock climbing a bit (ultimately too expensive when I already had an expensive cycling habit). It was all good, and I was enjoying the freedom from structured training and having to roll out of bed on a Saturday for a 40 mile ride that I was dreading by that time. Being active became fun again, though from a fitness level I was seeing some significant overall decline from my peak.

    2020 was a dumpster fire...there is of course the obvious reason of COVID...but beyond that, one of my best friends who I've known since 3rd grade passed away. He was a mountaineer type and we all kind of joked that he was going to kill himself one day with some of the crazy stuff he did. He died in an ice climbing accident last February...about 2 weeks or so before everything went into lockdown. I was supposed to meet up with him in Colorado at the end of March and was finalizing plans with him and thought it odd he hadn't returned my texts over the course of a few days...then I got a text from his wife explaining things.

    That through me into a bit of a depression (and also kind of sealed the deal for me in regards to future rock climbing endeavors)...then COVID hit and I was suddenly working from home and trying to help my 7 and 9 year old with distance learning and trying to make everything seem somewhat "normal". One positive was that I dropped about 5 Lbs of my 2019 winter weight due to not having much appetite, and I was spending more time on my mountain bike hitting the trails and getting back into shape. That was relatively short lived as I was in a mountain biking accident in late June that resulted in some bad injuries and also caused a massive gout flare in my whole foot. I healed from the bike wreck fairly quickly (about 6 weeks), but the gout flare lasted for about 3 months with varying degrees of severity. I really couldn't do much of anything with that going on...it was very debilitating. Doc finally got that under control by late September with steroids, but by that time I had put on another 10 Lbs and just spent the rest of 2020 kind of wallowing and cursing the universe. By the end of 2020 I was up 20 Lbs from my maintenance weight.

    I'm back at it now...dieting and doing some structured workouts on the bike and in the weight room. I'm thinking I will be back to where I should be by July.

    First of all let me say how sorry I am about your friend, my deepest condolences for your lost. He sounds like he was a really special guy. And it's hard when you lose friends who have been apart of your life since childhood. I know because I lost 2 of my best friends to breast cancer in the same year. Your heart feels like it will never heal but in time the good memories of the times you had together will help the pain you feel and it will hurt a little less.

    I am sure the depression meds if you took any as I did when I lost my friends, they made me gain weight even though at the time I was so sad I was barely eating anything. My heart aches for youas you have been through so much I wish I could reach through this keyboard and give you a hug and tell you its' going to be ok.

    Thank you for sharing with me, I tend to gain over the winter too because I hate the cold and become a home body. But it seems your on track and going in the right direction. I wish you every success and will keep you in my prayers . Take care and be Blessed. I am glad your here on MFP. o:)
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,617 Member
    edited February 2021
    How long have you been a member of MFP?

    Since July 2015. I had already lost about 28 pounds, from a class 1 obese weight (183 pounds, at 5'5").

    Are you at your Goal Weight? How far do you have to go? If have met your goal weight how long have you maintained it using MFP?

    I don't really have a specific weight. I just want to stay in a healthy range, and not have to buy new clothes because of my size (I hate to shop). My weight has gone up and down since reaching 116 pounds (too low) in 2016, but has stayed well within the healthy BMI range since, and my same jeans fit. I was at 124.4 this morning, which is a good spot for me IMO. I'm still calorie counting because it takes very little time for the benefits I get, and is low-stress for me.

    How is your overall health as a result of maintaining your goal weight.

    My overall health is much better than before weight loss. Health was the basis for deciding to lose. I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, needed my gallbladder removed not for stones/sludge but because it was an ugly, thickened, cholesterol-laden thing with actual holes in it (condition called adenomyomatosis). I'm also a survivor of stage III (locally advanced) breast cancer, and excess bodyweight is a risk factor for metastatic recurrence.

    My doctor wanted me to take statins to address cardiovascular risk, and I didn't want to because it can cause brain fog as a side effect; I figured I'd already given up enough brain bandwidth to chemotherapy. I was already pretty fit for an obese person, even competing as a short-endurance athlete (rower), so adding exercise to improve health wasn't realistically going to improve much for me, as it possibly would for someone inactive.

    I have arthritis and a torn meniscus (maybe more than one). I have much, much less joint pain now than when I was obese.

    Suggestions for those still in process.

    If overeating is a symptom, address the underlying causes (for example, anxiety, stress, boredom, etc.). Avoid unnecessary drama around food and eating (food isn't sin, it doesn't require expiation; and guilt burns no extra calories anyway). If a day or few go sideways, let it go and get back on a healthy routine; only stopping altogether will end progress. Remember that the scale just measures one's relationship with gravity at a single moment, not one's worth as a human being.

    Recognize the factors under personal control (like what food one puts in one's mouth and swallows, how much movement is in one's day), and take full responsibility for them. Don't give away that power (or headspace) to other people. Sometime during the weight loss process, experiment to find the approach(es) that will be sustainable to maintain a healthy weight permanently, while that cushion of a calorie deficit is still in place, in case of mis-steps while figuring it out. Regain is a risk for all of us, but treating "a diet" entirely as a project with an end date, after which one "goes back to normal", is a an on-ramp to regain.

    During weight loss, and maybe even moreso in maintenance, it's key to personalize approach to fit one's own preferences, strengths, and limitations. There is no "one size fits all".
  • mpkpbk2015
    mpkpbk2015 Posts: 766 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    How long have you been a member of MFP?

    Since July 2015. I had already lost about 28 pounds, from a class 1 obese weight (183 pounds, at 5'5").

    Are you at your Goal Weight? How far do you have to go? If have met your goal weight how long have you maintained it using MFP?

    I don't really have a specific weight. I just want to stay in a healthy range, and not have to buy new clothes because of my size (I hate to shop). My weight has gone up and down since reaching 116 pounds (too low) in 2016, but has stayed well within the healthy BMI range since, and my same jeans fit. I was at 124.4 this morning, which is a good spot for me IMO. I'm still calorie counting because it takes very little time for the benefits I get, and is low-stress for me.

    How is your overall health as a result of maintaining your goal weight.

    My overall health is much better than before weight loss. Health was the basis for deciding to lose. I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, needed my gallbladder removed not for stones/sludge but because it was an ugly, thickened, cholesterol-laden thing with actual holes in it (condition called adenomyomatosis). I'm also a survivor of stage III (locally advanced) breast cancer, and excess bodyweight is a risk factor for metastatic recurrence.

    My doctor wanted me to take statins to address cardiovascular risk, and I didn't want to because it can cause brain fog as a side effect; I figured I'd already given up enough brain bandwidth to chemotherapy. I was already pretty fit for an obese person, even competing as a short-endurance athlete (rower), so adding exercise to improve health wasn't realistically going to improve much for me, as it possibly would for someone inactive.

    I have arthritis and a torn meniscus (maybe more than one). I have much, much less joint pain now than when I was obese.

    Suggestions for those still in process.

    If overeating is a symptom, address the underlying causes (for example, anxiety, stress, boredom, etc.). Avoid unnecessary drama around food and eating (food isn't sin, it doesn't require expiation; and guilt burns no extra calories anyway). If a day or few go sideways, let it go and get back on a healthy routine; only stopping altogether will end progress. Remember that the scale just measures one's relationship with gravity at a single moment, not one's worth as a human being.

    Recognize the factors under personal control (like what food one puts in one's mouth and swallows, how much movement is in one's day), and take full responsibility for them. Don't give away that power (or headspace) to other people. Sometime during the weight loss process, experiment to find the approach(es) that will be sustainable to maintain a healthy weight permanently, while that cushion of a calorie deficit is still in place, in case of mis-steps while figuring it out. Regain is a risk for all of us, but treating "a diet" entirely as a project with an end date, after which one "goes back to normal", is a an on-ramp to regain.

    During weight loss, and maybe even moreso in maintenance, it's key to personalize approach to fit one's own preferences, strengths, and limitations. There is no "one size fits all".

    Thank you for your detailed and insightful response. I love your suggestions especially " avoid unnecessary drama around food and eating and food isn't a sin. Have a great day and week. And if your in the US stay warm and safe from this horrible cold arctic vortex we are in.🌹🌹🌹

  • catgirl2289
    catgirl2289 Posts: 24 Member
    Hi All,

    I have used mfp in the past! i got back into it after losing about 30 or so lbs last year and plateauing. I have been using it for about a week and love it! I started at 240 last year now as a couple days ago I believe it was around 206? My goal weight is around 140. My lowest ever weight was 118 in my twenties. I quit vaping almost two months ago. I quit alcohol 5 years ago. Moderation and I are not good friends lol.
  • Speakeasy76
    Speakeasy76 Posts: 961 Member
    I first joined MFP back in 2012. I actually joined as part of a "weight loss challenge" through my local park district, when my 2nd baby was 9 months old. I lost about 35 pounds AND won 3rd place in the contest. I managed to keep off that amount of weight give or take 5-7 pounds, using MFP on and off, as well as other methods when I felt I needed a bit of a kick in the pants.

    I started tracking seriously again back in April 2020, when I decided I could either gain weight from sitting around A LOT more than usual, or actually tackle those elusive last 8 pounds or so I always wanted to lose. Well, I was able to do that at a very slow pace, and have kept it off. I've gone up maybe a pound of actual weight (if that), and am trying to see if i could lose another 5. However, what I really want to do is lose fat and gain muscle, not just lose lbs on the scale. a

    I have struggled with my weight for most of my life. I went on my first real (yet extreme) diet at age 14, where I lost a good amount of weight quickly, and set up years and years of disordered eating and thinking about food. When I lost weight in 2012 and especially this last time around, my mindset has shifted from thinking of myself as someone who is overweight and overeats, to a pretty healthy person (at least physically). I also shifted from focus on not just eating to lose weight, but eating for overall health. Since I've been doing it so long now, a lot of it just comes a lot more naturally to me.

    I think shifting my mindset to telling myself I CAN have anything I want to eat and that nothing is off limits was helpful, as well as shifting my focus to overall health. My husband has a pretty crappy diet, buys all kinds of junk and when it's his turn to pick out a meal he has no thought about what is "healthy" or not. He's the one who actually needs to watch what he eats too, as he has high cholesterol (already on meds at 42) and has to watch his blood pressure, and has a family history of that kind of stuff (whereas mine doesn't). Anyway, my point is that it doesn't tempt me or make me jealous that he eats that way (although I wish he would be more concerned about his health), because I'm focused on my own health and what makes me feel better.
  • mpkpbk2015
    mpkpbk2015 Posts: 766 Member
    I first joined MFP back in 2012. I actually joined as part of a "weight loss challenge" through my local park district, when my 2nd baby was 9 months old. I lost about 35 pounds AND won 3rd place in the contest. I managed to keep off that amount of weight give or take 5-7 pounds, using MFP on and off, as well as other methods when I felt I needed a bit of a kick in the pants.

    I started tracking seriously again back in April 2020, when I decided I could either gain weight from sitting around A LOT more than usual, or actually tackle those elusive last 8 pounds or so I always wanted to lose. Well, I was able to do that at a very slow pace, and have kept it off. I've gone up maybe a pound of actual weight (if that), and am trying to see if i could lose another 5. However, what I really want to do is lose fat and gain muscle, not just lose lbs on the scale. a

    I have struggled with my weight for most of my life. I went on my first real (yet extreme) diet at age 14, where I lost a good amount of weight quickly, and set up years and years of disordered eating and thinking about food. When I lost weight in 2012 and especially this last time around, my mindset has shifted from thinking of myself as someone who is overweight and overeats, to a pretty healthy person (at least physically). I also shifted from focus on not just eating to lose weight, but eating for overall health. Since I've been doing it so long now, a lot of it just comes a lot more naturally to me.

    I think shifting my mindset to telling myself I CAN have anything I want to eat and that nothing is off limits was helpful, as well as shifting my focus to overall health. My husband has a pretty crappy diet, buys all kinds of junk and when it's his turn to pick out a meal he has no thought about what is "healthy" or not. He's the one who actually needs to watch what he eats too, as he has high cholesterol (already on meds at 42) and has to watch his blood pressure, and has a family history of that kind of stuff (whereas mine doesn't). Anyway, my point is that it doesn't tempt me or make me jealous that he eats that way (although I wish he would be more concerned about his health), because I'm focused on my own health and what makes me feel better.

    Thank you so much, I admire your attitude about being focused on your own health and being able to shift your mindset in the presence of adversity around you. Stay strong and do you. Life is too short and I too have struggled with my weight for all my life for some reason I am the 7th of 7 children and the only one who came out fat, everyone else in my family is skinny including my mom. It could be because I was the change of life baby my mom didn't have me until she was almost 40 who knows. But I was always made fun of at home and at school so I just couldn't catch a break about my weight. So up until 2 years ago I have been a serial dieter, now I am just a 1/2 pound away from my 100 pound goal .But it's taken a whole lifetime.👍👍👍
  • mpkpbk2015
    mpkpbk2015 Posts: 766 Member
    Hi All,

    I have used mfp in the past! i got back into it after losing about 30 or so lbs last year and plateauing. I have been using it for about a week and love it! I started at 240 last year now as a couple days ago I believe it was around 206? My goal weight is around 140. My lowest ever weight was 118 in my twenties. I quit vaping almost two months ago. I quit alcohol 5 years ago. Moderation and I are not good friends lol.

    Glad your back. And with a determined attitude. I know you will make this time I can hear it in your voice. 2 years ago I decided no more too and now I am 1/2 pound short of my 100 pound goal. I was 227 and unhappy and miserable and now 127.6 and determined to make it by my birthday in April. And I have had several plateaus but during the plateaus I measured and was losing inches so I didn't let the numbers on the scale get me down. So good luck and Again welcome back.🌹🌹🌹
  • RunsWithBees
    RunsWithBees Posts: 1,508 Member
    How long have you been a member of MFP?
    - Became a member in 2012 at the suggestion of a coworker. After I met my goal I took a 2 year break from the site. I rejoined again in 2016 when I had a change in activity at my job and regained 18 lbs.

    Are you at your Goal Weight?
    - Yes! I’m currently maintaining within 5 lbs of my goal weight.

    If have met your goal weight how long have you maintained it using MFP?
    - It’s been 7+ years of maintenance. That includes the regain and loss of the 18 lbs at one point and about 4 other times I regained 6-8 lbs here and there when I just dusted off my food scale and started counting my calories again and lost it to be back within my 5 lb threshold of my goal weight.

    How is your overall health as a result of maintaining your goal weight.
    - My health has improved immensely! I was having health issues directly caused by my obesity which is what made me get my act together and finally lose weight in a sustainable manner. Getting down to a healthy bmi has resolved all those issues and I feel the best I have in my entire life. Previously I had lived a completely sedentary lifestyle, now I really enjoy exercise, trail running has become my true passion!

    Suggestions for those still in process.
    - Patience! Sustainable weight loss takes time but it’s worth the wait. It took me 10 months to lose 43 lbs which averages out to 1 lb per week and I didn’t feel deprived. Eat whatever you want but watch the portions, be honest with yourself about how much you are actually eating. And stay active even if it’s just walking, it goes a long way to improving your overall physical and mental health. Make time to prioritize loving yourself and care for your body, it’s the only one you will get and it’s worth it to take the time to invest in your health for yourself and your loved ones <3:)
  • SCoil123
    SCoil123 Posts: 2,111 Member
    I just had my 5yr anniversary on the site this week. I had been maintaining in my range for about two years then gained some back when my husband and I split up in September so I’m losing again. I’m about 4lbs from my previous maintenance but now have a new goal to lose about 10 more
  • mpkpbk2015
    mpkpbk2015 Posts: 766 Member
    How long have you been a member of MFP?
    - Became a member in 2012 at the suggestion of a coworker. After I met my goal I took a 2 year break from the site. I rejoined again in 2016 when I had a change in activity at my job and regained 18 lbs.

    Are you at your Goal Weight?
    - Yes! I’m currently maintaining within 5 lbs of my goal weight.

    If have met your goal weight how long have you maintained it using MFP?
    - It’s been 7+ years of maintenance. That includes the regain and loss of the 18 lbs at one point and about 4 other times I regained 6-8 lbs here and there when I just dusted off my food scale and started counting my calories again and lost it to be back within my 5 lb threshold of my goal weight.

    How is your overall health as a result of maintaining your goal weight.
    - My health has improved immensely! I was having health issues directly caused by my obesity which is what made me get my act together and finally lose weight in a sustainable manner. Getting down to a healthy bmi has resolved all those issues and I feel the best I have in my entire life. Previously I had lived a completely sedentary lifestyle, now I really enjoy exercise, trail running has become my true passion!

    Suggestions for those still in process.
    - Patience! Sustainable weight loss takes time but it’s worth the wait. It took me 10 months to lose 43 lbs which averages out to 1 lb per week and I didn’t feel deprived. Eat whatever you want but watch the portions, be honest with yourself about how much you are actually eating. And stay active even if it’s just walking, it goes a long way to improving your overall physical and mental health. Make time to prioritize loving yourself and care for your body, it’s the only one you will get and it’s worth it to take the time to invest in your health for yourself and your loved ones <3:)

    Wow 2012 - first of all congrats on maintaining your goal weight. And being at a healthy weight. And thank you so much for sharing your insights and story. Have a great week.💖💖💖
  • mpkpbk2015
    mpkpbk2015 Posts: 766 Member
    SCoil123 wrote: »
    I just had my 5yr anniversary on the site this week. I had been maintaining in my range for about two years then gained some back when my husband and I split up in September so I’m losing again. I’m about 4lbs from my previous maintenance but now have a new goal to lose about 10 more

    Congrats on your 5th anniversary on MFP - as well as reaching your goal weight . And I applaud your determination in setting a new goal even lower by 10 pounds of your original goal weight and wish you much success in reaching it. Have a wonderful rest of the week. And thanks for sharing.👍👍👍