Weight Loss - Tips & Stories?

[LonormiManuel]

Greetings, & happy holidays!

If anyone out there has lost more than 50 lbs to become healthy, would you share your story? What changes did you make to your diet, how did you get started with exercise, etc.? Thanks in advance!

[SusieO]

Happy Holidays to you!

I did not lose 50 pounds, but I did lose 35. I joined Weight Watchers, reached my goal weight about a year ago, and have maintained it since. I still follow the program, attend meetings at least once a month, and write down everything I eat in my journal.

I would say my biggest lifestyle change was watching portion sizes. I was already eating healthfully and exercising; I just did not realize how much I was eating.

[wendylee]

Happy Holidays!

I also lost weight on Weight Watchers - 30 lbs. I had not been eating healthy or exercising consistently prior to joining.

As I was losing weight I realized that I was making a lifestyle change rather than dieting, which helped me stay on the program.

[Scaredsammy]

Hi .... havent lost 50lbs so far but on my way and feel really confident that I will be able to now .... for me the biggest breakthrough and why I feel so confident now was developing a support network of people who have done it or are doing it. Its easier when you dont feel like you are all on your own.

Scared Sammy www.communityzero.com/weightlossfriends/ (http://www.communityzero.com/weightlossfriends/)

[Gina O]

Hey there! I lost approximately 60 pounds over the course of 8 months beginning a little over 3 years ago. I did it mainly by thinking about every single piece of food I put in my mouth and asking myself if it was worth it. I drank a lot of water, especially if I felt hungry between meals. I did not absolutely refuse myself anything... if I was seriously craving a Big Mac and french fries, I went to McDonald's and got one. I ate what I needed to get past the craving and threw the rest away. I threw a lot of food away. I never took boxes home from restaurants. I ate what I needed and let them take my plate. Often I asked them to take my plate away.

I didn't really exercise at all, didn't have time. I did ride my bike some, but nothing regular or serious, more as occassional stress relief.

An interesting thought just occurred to me... I started dieting on Nov. 1, 4 days after I flew an airplane by myself (alone in the airplane) for the first time. That was a major accomplishment for me, one of those "I can do anything I want" moments. Interesting that it happened at the same time I decided to lose weight.

In the 2 and a half years since I stopped dieting, I have gained back about 7 lbs. It is annoying, but nothing that I am overly concerned about. I have recently started running, so I am hoping to lose a little bit. I have a complete new wardrobe that I want to keep wearing. (That was one of the major fun parts... over the last 2 years, I have had to buy EVERYTHING new and of course, a difference in how people treat me). Gina