HOW have you gotten successful?

just part of it, I am not a big fan of exercise but i force myself to do some form of it a few times a week. also, don't let anyone fool you all calories are not created equal. I try to stay away from processed and sugary foods. I don't always succeed but I have cut way down. I try to eat lean proteins and fresh veggies as much as possible and lots of water.

not since Feb this year, but Feb 2011. I have lost close to 20 this year though. thank you though, you can do it weight training (building some muscle tone) will help burn fat faster. higher muscle tone = more calories burnt through out the day. just stick with it and you will see some results. also, make sure to check measurements sometimes you will see results there before you see them on the scale.

Even just counting calories will make you at least pay attention to what and when you're eating. I exercise a lot during the week, as I do martial arts, but my main issue was just eating too much. Keeping an eye on it, even if I have some fast food here and there, has made a huge difference for me. Find what the cause of your weight gain was, and then move towards correcting that. Things like too much sugar or carbs can also cause it, and you can track those here too!

I started my journey Jan 12 and the first twenty lbs, I didn't work out much. I just ate what I could to stay inside all of my daily goals. For the most part. I found that some days, you're just going to be over on some things in order to MEET your MINIMUM. I started jogging/walking at the 20lb mark, and the lbs are still coming off... A lot more slowly now.. But they are coming off. My diary is open to friends, so if you would like support, feel free to friend me!

I'm about to start weight training! I have heard the stronger muscles burn calories more efficiently. (Guess I'll find out!)

Counting calories and exercising. I lost 20 lbs in about 3 months. I am now about 5-7 lbs from my original goal weight but that doesn't matter to me so much anymore. Now I'm just trying to work on how my body looks and further my running skills, or lack thereof.

I am getting much better results by eating my calories in a ratio of 40% carbs, 30% fat and 30% protein. It is making a big difference as I used to eat probably 70-80% just carbs. The protein keeps me fuller and this whole thing is really surpressing my appetite! I have also been doing elliptical 3 times a week, but I think the 40-30-30 is what's really working. Oh, but I also have cut out sweets and soda during the weekdays. Nothing with refined sugar OR artificial sweeteners (except maybe some from sauces inmy lunch and dinner meals).

You have to want to change your lifestyle! I started my lifestyle change exactly a year ago, and haven't looked back since. I watch my sodium, exercise(I don't log it because I don't believe half the calories burned on the database are true), and I try to stay completely away from sugar and white flour. I also ditched the sodas and drink water and green tea(unsweetened and brewed myself) I take multivitamins just to make sure I get my daily allowance because sometimes I get too busy to eat all of the nutritious foods.

I've lost 13 lbs over a couple of months with very little exercise. I eat only whole foods, nothing processed. It's far more fulfilling. Don't deprive yourself! if you want ice cream, have it, but only 1/4 cup. Eat it slowly and enjoy it. For me, that makes this less of a diet and more of a lifestyle, which will help keep the weight off over the longer term. I eat all the foods I enjoy in moderation including wine and chocolate.

One food that is really yummy, versatile, and satisfying for the calories is polenta. I even make quiche crust from it! It's great in place of rice or pasta, as the carb in a balanced meal. It's great with beans, meat, cheese topping, marinara, or whatever. It can be sweetened for breakfast too. I mix it with oat bran for my breakfast and add cocoa powder. A serving has only 130 calories, compare to pasta at 200! I have to credit a lot of my success with low cal meals to polenta.

Foods NOT worth the calories, imo: pasta, bread, breakfast box cereal, rice.

A complete lifestyle change, I exercise daily, Every month is a new Fitness challenge, I track my calories faithfully....and most of all I am accountable to myself

just part of it, I am not a big fan of exercise but i force myself to do some form of it a few times a week. also, don't let anyone fool you all calories are not created equal. I try to stay away from processed and sugary foods. I don't always succeed but I have cut way down. I try to eat lean proteins and fresh veggies as much as possible and lots of water.

I totally agree with you about the processed sugary stuff........POISON in my world!:sad: But now that I am breaking away from it........I realize that feeling better is way better than eating that stuff!:bigsmile:

Eat well and train like hell. That got me from fat to fit.

Then I started counting calories. All I will say about that is, eat at a calorie deficit, but a reasonable one (not too big). And continue to train like hell.

I always make sure I drink my water. Also, I've cut out alcohol (liquid fat), white bread, etc., sweet treats like cake, cookies, etc. I limit my carbs but don't cut them out completely. Also, I have not given up, just keep at it and don't give up!! I've been trying to lose 11.8 lbs since October and my weight goes up and down. The most I've lost is 10 lbs (and then this week it popped back up). I didn't let that stop me....don't give up, no matter what. If you mess up and go over your calories, don't let it get you down. Pick yourself up and keep going!!!!!

Thanks all...I would love some advice on my few days of diary.
I think I'm doing good....I'm drinking 100 oz of water a day. Lots of veggies. Not sure what else I can/should do...

diary looked pretty good to me, but I am no nutritionist. I would say keep up the good work with that and add in some kind of weight training 2-3 days a week. doesn't have to be a lot of weight but anything to help build muscle will help you out. Insanity/P90x/30ds etc. are all good workouts you can do at home that will give you a good cardio burn as well as help tone up the muscles. or even just push-ups, pull-ups, situps, lunges. you don't need to get fancy just work the muscles some.

I am doing squats, sit ups, reverse crunches and some weight lifting - does that not show on diary? It's not counted as cardio...strength training - so It doesn't count towards my work outs?

You can enter strength training under cardio as well. That way it will show the calories burned.

I had no IDEA! You just made my day!