Need to lose 100+ lbs any tips or advice?

My struggle is less about food than my 'tude. The other day I was driving to work thinking, Wow, I've lost 43 pounds and when I get to a point when I've lost 100 pounds, I'll still be significantly overweight. Yay me." That's stinkin' thinkin'.

So, you have to get your head right and, at least for me, it is a daily fight to keep my head right. Also, I've had to accept certain facts that involve math and physiology, meaning it's going to that a seriously long time for me to lose the weight I need to lose. I mean a reallllllly long time. So, I have to look past small bumps in the road-- a bad choice here, a gain on the scale there, and focus on the positive changes I've made.

Also, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of planning. Planning meals. Planning ahead, way ahead. At first I resented it. Now, it's just part of my reality.

Finally, get a digital scale. They sell them at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, just consider it an investment in a tool for your success. It's a fact that people routinely underestimate how much they eat (and overestimate how much they exercise). I also resented weighing and measuring everything, now, I just do it. It's part of my reality.

I started out with literally 137 lbs to lose just to get to the high end of the recommended weight for my height. I'm now down 72 lbs so I'm past the half way point, but it's taken me 1.5 years to get this far. I didn't want to be hungry all the time, nor did I want to give up my favorite foods. I only exercise 3-4 days a week, 1 hour only because in my past I let it consume me, exercising 2 hours at a time every day of the week. I lost weight quickly, but it wasn't sustainable nor liveable.

I share all that because slow and steady wins the race. It is a life time of change you're trying to do so it's OK if it takes a while. I eat heavily on protein and eat a lot of vegetables normally. I do work to get my water in daily as well. I cut out all soda and only drink water or unsweetened tea (with stevia). I still have a cupcake at least once a week :bigsmile: So enjoy the ride... you need to build habits for a lifetime!

Stop getting on the scales. I have been stuck at/around the same point for three weeks now, but I started measuring my arms, thighs, calves, hips, and waist from the beginning, and I've collectively lost 10.8 inches, so SOMETHING is happening even if the scale says it isn't.

I'd say log in everything you eat. It's easier when you eat the same foods since it saves it. Stay under calorie goal. If youre not losing you may have to increase your calories. I started with 1200, stopped losing, increased it to 1300 & lost 5 lbs. Stick to mainly water.. keeps you full longer. I use crystal light. I eat mainly home prepared meals. Some of my meals are: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, turkey deli meat, fruits, yogurt, nuts, chicken, tuna, (or any kinda meat in a small portion), special k, 1% milk or lower, veggies, wraps, eggs, cheese, salads, sweet potatoes, brown or parboiled rice & anything else on days I feel like just having pizza/pasta/hot dogs/pancakes.. I just log it in & work it into my calories. I use a measuring cup to measure stuff or count by tablespoons. I'm looking to buy some big measuring spoons to make this easier. A full fist about a cup and the palm of your hand is 3 ounces of meat. Measuring is very important.

Definitely get a food scale, its one of the best tools you can have! You can get a digital one from Walmart probably for less than 20 bucks. If your muscles are sore, they could be retaining water, which can show a gain, plus certain times of the month we woman just usually retain water. Hang in there! :-)

Watch your sodium levels, eat as much fruit and vegetables as you want, be careful with oils because they are very high in calories for very little food (120 calories per tablespoon). Research calorie density and eat as much food as you want with a low calorie density! Good luck!!