ADVICE PLEASE!!!!

I've went through every diet and exercise program on the map. They all work, if you're willing to put in the work. I like MFP because it is simple and straightfoward: so many of the other programs are gimicky. I like to walk (working up to running), use the elliptical, and lift weights. However, what has changed my mindset and given me the tools to success actually had nothing to do with a program. It was about understanding myself and figuring out why I overeat.

So, while it isn't the right path for everyone, seeing a therapist was actually one of the most important steps on my weight loss journey. When I didn't understand why I overeating, I kept falling off the wagon. I feel so much calmer about the whole process now that I've really talked about why things have gotten this bad for myself.

This website, honestly! It has helped me so much! But most importantly the mind set and the knowing that this is it. This is the time I have to do this and I am and will do this!

But I have found love for Jillian Michaels 30 day shred and Ripped in 30 and am now I'm on Biggest Loser Cardio Max. The DVD's really help me. I am not lucky enough to have a personal trainer or even get to a real gym, so I do the best I can with the workout's at home. I also have an Elliptical and I love it!

I have lost 15 lbs so far on mfp. Somedays are really hard for me like this week (i have been really struggling for some reason) but planning to get back on track again soon! I walk a ton at work b/c i work with 4 year olds at a daycare. I try to drink my water everyday. Some days i don't do great but you just gotta stick with it really. The 15 lbs for me came off pretty easily. Now I just gotta get back into gear and keep going. Thats my advice for you too just keep going and you will succeed!

One step at a time. One day at a time.

Logging, logging and more logging. Finding healthy food that tastes good (skinnytaste.com). A variety of exercise you enjoy doing.
Never ever give up

A consistent calorie deficit. Works every time.
And I lift to keep muscle mass.

The three things that helped me the most were:

1. Actually being ready to lose weight. In the past I wanted it, but never enough to actually work hard for it.

2. Finding exercises I enjoyed, so it felt less like work.

3. Being organized. If I already had a dinner planned out and ready to make when I got home from work, I was much less likely to say screw it, and get something unhealthy instead. The same for lunch, packing a lunch (and getting it ready the night before) kept me from eating out.

Experimenting..this site is awesome for that. I knew nothing about macro nutrients before joining this site and making friends with others who were successfully losing weight.

I upped my proteins..result is less carbs being consumed and a higher likelihood of not losing lean body mass. I'm not religious about the macro nutrients. Macro nutrients are basically the percentage of Carbs/Protein/Fat in what you consume daily. Mine is 40/30/30.

I worked out 3-4 days a week initially ..then 5..then started averaging 6-7 days a week. I ate back some of my exercise calories sometimes. Changed this back and forth a few times until I found what worked. If I burn 1200 calories in exercise in a session..then I'll eat back more exercise calories than if I burned 400 for example.

The social part of the site is what makes you accountable. Make friends with people who won't molly coddle you or tell you that you are doing great when you aren't. These people are invaluable and will keep you on the straight and narrow if you are really serious about changing your life.

I think mindset has a lot to do with it. Once you accept that your habits and lifestyle are what molds you, the easier it is. I used to get very discouraged if I didn't see scale results after a few days. Once I accepted that the damage wasn't done in 2 weeks and therefore wouldn't be un-done that soon either, the easier it gets. I had lost 30, 15 crept back on...now I get back to work :0)

Hi,

You have taken the first step by starting with My Fitness Pal. This webiste has taught me alot in regards to nutrition. What I love about it the most is that it makes you accountable for what you eat and how much you exercise. It all comes down to you. Keep honest with yourself and believe that you can do it. Sure you will fall down a couple of times but the most important thing is that you pick yourself back up and keep going one day at a time. Be realistic with your goals so you do not feel too much pressure or disappointment if you do not reach weight losses that are to be expected. This is all about changing a lifestyle with sensible eating and exercise. We are all here for the same reason...Good Luck

I only started my weight loss on Nov. 13th and am down 29lbs. I lost about 13lbs within a week and a half and that is all it took to get me motivated to tackle this once and for all!! I owe it all to my daughter who is on here, runner girl. She has been on MFP for a few months now. She set me up on a diet plan and to this website and I have found it very helpful! I just started exercising and feel very confident I will succeed!! I am doing the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred, in the privacy of my own home, my own time and love it. I don't like to go the gym which I belong because I am not comfortable with myself to work out in front of ppl yet!!! Add me as a friend if you would like more support!

I take great pride in staying under my calorie limits and over my exercise goals. I check everything on this site before I buy or eat it. I'm a hamburger junkie who decided I'd rather lose all the stuff I think I like than walk around fat anymore.

My top suggestion is that you go on the journey with someone. Although I've had some success in the past while trying to lose weight, when you're "on your own", there's no-one there to support you, and it's easy to just give up. When you've got someone to do this with, they can support you through the tough times, just as you can support them.

It's that tiny little thing called motivation to make this work, isn't it?
--> I have had an elliptical machine for 6 years. I hardly used it.
--> I have been to Weight Watchers - guess I got bored with it and quit. Also got tired of paying someone to tell me what to do, which essentially amounts to "eat less, move more".
--> I have had tight fitting clothes, pain in my back and feet, and huff and puff going up stairs - all of which should have motivated me to lose weight.
--> I have seen pictures of myself and was shocked to see what I looked like.
--> I have also had the doctor tell me my weight and cholesterol are both too high.
All that, for 6 years, and none of it was enough to motivate me.

What worked for me (this time):
The cardiologist told me to lose weight, exercise, and come back in 3 months to have my cholesterol profile retested - if the numbers don't improve, I'm looking at cholesterol medication. I'm 45 years old. Now if I was already doing all that I could to take care of myself, and I still had to go on medication, then so be it. But how terrible to go on medication without even giving it a shot.

So I am determined to lower my cholesterol by dropping my weight and exercising. I have lost 20 lbs, 50 to go. And I am exercising 5-6 days a week.

The biggest thing for me is hitting that 20 pound mark which tells me I CAN DO THIS!! I REALLY CAN DO THIS!!

My mom introduced me to this web site, and it's been a perfect tool for keeping me motivated daily. And I really really love the little motivation of "If every day were like today you will weight (this much) in 5 weeks." That is incredibly motivating!!

Anyway, sorry, didn't mean to write a book, but what works for me is to eat as healthy as I can - lots of fruit, veggies, lean meats, whole grains, cut out the fried food and the junk (mostly), and I exercise. Hard to go wrong with all that.