Please may I hear from big losers (80 to 100 lbs loss) who d

I'm close.... I've lost 76.3 lbs. It's taken me right @ 2 years to do it, though. I started off by walking, then progressed to doing C25K. I didn't start actually counting calories until 100 days ago, prior to that I simply made sure I was eating at least 3x/day and made smart food choices. I also gave up sweet tea and now exclusively drink H20.

It CAN be done without surgery, it just takes dedication and determination!

I've lost 115 to date. I started with MFP on November 8, 2010 and have lost it all through diet and exercise. I still have about 25 pounds to just get into the heathy range, and I will reassess when I get there.

I don't know if I have any tips that we all don't already know. I drink a lot more water than I used to, I am more active, I eat less, and I try to make what I eat more healthy than not.

I've lost 91 pounds with just diet and exercise. It took me about 2 1/2 years. I've still got 76 pounds to go. Its not easy, but it will happen if you try. I probably could have lost more in that time but I'm older and I have arthritis in my knees so I couldn't do full-on, hard exercise. I just rode the exercise bike and did some old fashioned floor exercises on my bed. I also did some low impact water exercise--check with your local rec center or YWCA for classes. Walking is great too but I'm not able to do much of that right now. I just had my left knee replaced in Sept. and will have the right one done in early 2012. After that, I aim to be unstoppable! With limits, of course. I've abused my poor joints for too long for them to allow me to do high impact anything, but I do want to look into an Aqua Zumba class when I am fully recovered from the second knee surgery. It sounds like great fun as well as easy on the old joints.

I lost some before I got to MFP by not eating very well but eating less. Since I joined MFP, I've followed the recommended calorie allowance and it works! I try to eat more fruits and vegetables and non processed food. Those are lower in calories and fill you up. Home made soups are really good too, for filling up and still being healthy. All that being said, I do allow myself the occasional cheat meal OR a treat once in a while--like pizza (a slice or two) or a meal out. Mostly though, I cook at home. I have found that is is the best way to control what goes in to my food and *I* control the salt and fat. I believe we need some good fats to keep our bodies healthy and our skin from drying out, but I use good fats, like olive oil. Fish and seafood also plays a biggish part of our menu.

IMHO, I think a huge part of this weight loss thing is having the right mindset. I tried so many times to lose weight and I didn't really know what or how to eat for weight loss and good nutrition. So many diets I'd been on left me hungry, weak and crabby and I'd quit after a couple weeks. I'm not a stupid woman, but some of the diets seemed so complicated--points to count, different foods to eat at different times of day--what a hassle. For some reason these past few years, it just sort of clicked in my head. (see my blog) It works if you let it work. If you have any questions, pm me. I'll always try to help!
Kathy