Looking for top 5 tips from all of you successful people...

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1. Weigh yourself often enough to figure out what are your out of bounds foods.
2. Weights + cardio at least 5 days a week.
3. Listen to your body, if you are not hungry don't eat. If you are too sore to work out take an extra day of rest.
4. Work out fasted sometimes.
5. Don't be too rigid, this will lead to failure. Better to have one slice of pizza today than 6 the day after tomorrow.

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Tip for the long term. (Working for 8 months and counting)

1. The MOST important, DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (everyday I feel like quitting... KEEP AT IT!!!)
2. Everyday is a new day!
3. Reward yourself! You are trying AND working hard! You deserve a treat!
4. Set contemporary goals.
5. Find what works for you. Mix it up.You body is capable of a lot if your mind is willing to push.

Wow what an awesome thread! I've still got a long way to goal but feel I am on the way to success since I started logging with Mfp. Here's my tips;

1. When starting your journey, focus on small changes. Drink more water, start exercising by taking short walks.
2. As you do better (with your diet or exercise), challenge yourself - even small challenges are ok (can I walk 10 more minutes today? why dont I run for a minute? What if I eat this meal without bread?)
3. Don't beat yourself up if you slip into old habits. Get back on the horse straight away. We are all human. As someone else said don't write off the rest of the week!
4. If you start to plateu or start getting bored (with foods or diet), try new things! Even simple things like changing cereal can make a difference! If you get bored of the treadmill, start walking outdoors, find an appropriate sport or even active hobby that you can enjoy.
5. Whatever you do, be stubborn and keep logging your food and exercise! You may not it's important but it keeps you accountable and teaches you what works and what doesn't (as long as you are honest)

My top 5 (some of which I'm sure have been mentioned though):

1) Stay with the program you've set. Until you create a consistent routine, you will likely not see results. For a lot of people whether or not they see results determines whether they will continue. I didn't see any results for a month, but I just stuck with the routine.
This includes:
-Make a date several times a week with your exercise and just do it. You'll think of a million reasons why you'll do it tomorrow. Ignore the voice in your head, because you know what is the right thing to do.
-Eat your minimum calories at the very least. I got into a bad habit of eating under by several hundred for weeks and all I could do is maintain.
2) PICTURES. When I look in the mirror, I feel I look the same. I was shocked when I compared pictures. It is very rewarding to see a side by side. Helps to motivate.
3) Incorporate small food changes. Not everyone can afford to do a pantry overhaul. Each week, find healthy substitutes. One of the first things I did was different peanut butter and bread. It was very overwhelming reading the forums and when I thought I was eating healthy and then you see things that say otherwise. Do what you can, when you can. Don't beat yourself up or deprive yourself either.
4) LOG EVERY DAY and PLAN AHEAD. I got into a bad habit of not logging weekends, did not go well. Log good and bad, be honest. If you used a half cup of cheese, do not put 1/4 (which is actually 1 serving). Underestimations will add up. Log your foods days in advance and you'll be less likely to make impulsive decisions.
5)Eat throughout the day. Personally, I've found eating the usual breakfast/lunch/dinner in ADDITION to a morning and afternoon snack helps me feel full longer. I have also heard it keeps your metabolism more active. I have had the best loss doing this.

1. LOG EVERYTHING
2.Remember, " it does not matter how fast you are going you are still lapping everyone on the couch" so start with walking but do something!
3. plan meals/ snacks ahead
4. look at the community board as many times as you need to - very supportive-
5. BE READY and be honest about being ready you have to want to do it and want to do it for yourself or it will not work.

I've lost nearly 96 pounds all together now, and these are my top 5:

1. Find something you love to do in terms of exercise and you will stick with it.
2. Weighing yourself is fine, but you should measure yourself as well.
3. Drink plenty of water.
4. Get enough sleep.
5. Eat back most of your exercise calories.

Need suggestions on how to make exercise a habit...I really do not like to exercise and will come up with every excuse!
Any ideas/suggestions??

1. Commit every day to being healthy. Think about all the reasons why you want to lose the weight.
2. If you fall, get back on track right away. Don't let a bad day become a bad week, or the end of your commitment.
3. Log everything.
4. Take pictures every time you lose five lbs. It's great to be able to look back and see the progress you've made.
5. Find an exercise you like and do it at least 3x a week.