how did you lose the way, in steps please. thanks

Track food - and be perfecly honest, even on the bad days

Exercise - do what makes you happy so you stick with it

Eat what you enjoy - some concept as the exercise. If you try living on rabbit food or cut all carbs and it drives you insane, guess what? That's not going to work in the long term. You might lose but then you'll gain it right back when you give up. Concentrate first on having healthy portion sizes then start making substitutions. Make sure all changes in your diet are ones you can live with long term.

Don't just focus on that number on the scale but also take measurements, pay attention to how your clothes are fitting and how your body is changing all the time. If you are truly aware, you will never be disappointed because there will always be something that's changing (assuming you're doing it right).

Everyone's different. I eat back all my exercise calories and go over several times per week and still lose. Others barely reach their calorie limits, don't eat back their exercise calories and lose. Try different things, give them at least 2 weeks to see the results, then try something new if that doesn't work.

Remember that what you start a new exercise or increase your intensity, your muscles will react by retaining water. This does not mean you've built muscle but you're on your way to that result and it's a good thing. Give it some time and the water will be released. See 2 paragraphs above - that # on the scale is not everything.

Track your sodium - even if you stay in your calories, if your sodium is too high, you'll retain water and lose slower. Plus, high sodium's not healthy. A great way to have less sodium is to eat more fresh/whole foods and stay away from the frozen/boxed/canned stuff.

Which brings me to the next thought - read labels, they're handy tools!

And finally, drink your water

ETA: just thought of another one - it can make life easy to eat the same things every day and do the same exercise routine every day but your body may stop reacting after a while. If you reach a plateau, try changing things up and see if that helps.

24 day challenge has been awesome for me and my husband. You can check out my profile if you want to read more.

Great topic, so much helpful advice. Thanks!

This is how I did mine:

1. I went to see dr. make sure everything was working the it was suppose to. I complete physical (wanted so see if I had any excuse for being fat, and it turns out I didn't...lol )

2. I started logging in EVERYTHING i ate on MFP, this made me aware of what I was eating

3. Started substituting and doing research on better foods that I like and making better food choices

4.. I started doing the Wii dance for 30 minutes each morning.

5.. I started walking at lunch for 30 min. each day

6. Started getting up earlier and doing kickboxing in the mornings for an hour

7. started jogging for 30 min at lunch

This all happened in a 6-7 month period or so, and 20 pounds down. Good luck on your journey, and you can still have chocolate and what you want as long as 80-90% percent of the time, you make good healthy choices

Remember, you didn't put (x) amount of weight over night, so don't expect to lose it over night

I use the Wii too. 40 mins free jogging most days but up the to 90/120 mins on days off.

Using MFP has been a massive help and now I've lost 30 pounds since June 6th.

I love this topic! Bumpp