Write just 1 tip which triggered your weight loss.

just looking at my body image and weight, feeling the worse and heaviest i’ve ever been. i was so extremely depressed and was constantly reminded by family i need to loose weight. i want to feel pretty and be seen attractive to someone. it’s been hard trying to remember to log everyday and watch what i eat. food has been my comfort for years, buts it’s gone so overboard. i have a workout plan and i haven’t even started, when i wanted to start when school was out. i’m trying to do better to loose weight but i’m still where i started, and i’m wanting to do better now

Trigger: When I let someone take a picture of me from far away and not just a selfie from the shoulders up. Eeeeeek.

Helped: Joining the gym. Equipment aside (which I have at home), the support network I've built there and the accountability inherent in people expecting me to attend classes really helped me make working out a priority each day.

My trigger to lose weight was when my doctor suggested I consider weight loss surgery during my annual physical three months ago. What has really helped is having my sister join me in this journey and logging my food, good or bad. Looking forward to seeing my doctor next spring to show off the new improved me.

I wouldn't say it was a trigger, but it's something that helped. I stopped eating things I don't like or don't particularly want (easier said than done). No more finding something on the counter and parking it in my mouth just because it's there, wasting precious calories. This has helped me be physically and mentally satisfied with my calorie budget because I'm eating things I do enjoy and want in satisfying quantities.

Eat more protein. Once I nailed that down, things got a lot easier.

I realized that if I lost a pound a week I could hit my college weight on six months. That seemed doable. And would keep me from getting diabetes like the rest of my family. 12 years later I am the oldest and the only one without it. Best decision ever.

Short answer: Reading the nutrition label

Medium answer: Swapping out bread brands and subbing cereal and milk with protein-packed breakfast, and swapping condiments

Bread: 647 brand has a lot of fiber in it, and it's only 40 calories per slice. Plus, unlike other healthy sliced bread options, the slices aren't tiny (albeit, they are very airy).

Breakfast: a single egg, some shredded cheese, two slices of turkey bacon, and 2 pieces of toast (using aforementioned bread) make for a pretty good breakfast breakfast sandwich that keeps me full longer than a single serving of cereal. It's also a lot more nutrient dense. Technically, it's more calories than a bowl of cereal, but it's not more calories than the two servings plus milk I needed to keep me satiated.

Condiments: many "staple" items have a lower calorie option. Light mayo, for example, is only 35 cal per tablespoon, versus 90 cal for normal. Shaving off a little bit of calories here and there by looking at portion sizes and slightly healthier options adds up, making it easier for me to be in a calorie deficit without changing my diet all too much.

Logging everything I eat.

If I eat it, I have to log it. This helps so much with knowing what you can and can't afford to eat for the day. Knowing the calorie count of everything means you can chop and change food amounts to fit your calorie goal.

I always save some calories for some chocolate at the end of the day.