Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

First of all, congratulations...

I would like to know how you stayed motivated?

I know that you should set small goals...

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

In 2005, I was almost a size 16.

I said enough was enough and first thing I did was join a weight loss forum. I read about people like me who lost weight and what they did to do it.

I started a journal on that site and recorded what I did daily. My workouts and meals were recorded. Every week I weighed in.

I stuck to it and it worked. I found motivation in reading articles on people who lost weight.

I eventually dropped to a size 2! Now, I realized I was too thin at that size and now I am a healthy size 6 and pretty darn happy.

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Post-law school, and when I first practiced law, I was the heaviest I had ever been in my life (size 12/14). I lost weight (got to a size 4/6) and maintained it for many years (even after having a child). But then I made a career change about 2 years ago, and about 15-20 lbs have crept back on, so I am recommitting to weight loss again.

Things that have helped me in the past and are helping me again now are:

1) Finding a weight loss plan or strategy that I like and can stick to... I used to do the old WW points-plus plan, and really liked it, and now I am doing the calorie-counting on myfitnesspal.com, which is working for me and I don't find it too difficult.

2) I like to cook, so I enjoy researching and making healthier recipes, being inventive with snack ideas, meal planning, etc. That's fun for me, and if I like what I eat, it's easier to eat the right things!

3) I allow myself to still enjoy food and indulge in moderation here and there. If I want to have a glass of wine or a slice of cake now and again, or if I go out to a nice restaurant for dinner, I don't obsess over it. I always had the philosophy that one meal or one party or one vacation alone wouldn't make me overweight. It's the overall approach to eating that matters. I like Ellie Krieger's philosophy that no food is "off limits" but there are "everyday foods," "sometimes foods," and "rare treats."

4) I try not to be a perfectionist. If I slip up and fall off track one day, I try to get right back into things the next day. I don't let myself say "well, I already ate a candy bar, may as well finish the whole bag!" I think that mentality leads to a lot of unhealthy yo-yo dieting. I also try to have realistic expectations and take a long-term view. I didn't gain 20 lbs in a day or a week, so I can't expect to lose it in a day. So I don't get discouraged when results aren't immediate or as fast as I'd like.

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Thank you...

When do you actually "see" results?

Message edited 8/21/2012 2:22:52 PM.

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

I lost 60lbs on WW and kept it off for four years. I'm pregnant right now, but plan on going right back on after I give birth.

One of the biggest things that motivates me is going to meetings. Having a support system is great and keeps you in the mindset.

I also try to find new recipes and foods to try so I don't get bored. I try out new exercises and classes.

After losing 60lbs, it was very hard for me to imagine being big again, so honestly it was very easy to keep it off. After you see results, you are so motivated by those results, its easier than you think to keep at it.

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

I lost 30 lbs doing the South Beach Diet in 2004, kept it off. Then last July I l started it again and lost an additional 17 lbs. Now, I'm restarting the diet to lose the last 15 lbs (which are really vanity lbs).

I see results right away, and those results are what motivate me to keep going. Now I LOVE clothes and shopping for them, for the first time in my life. That totally motivates me. I love fashion more than I love food.

I am really good at maintaining my weight, and I do this by basically being on a diet all week, and then letting loose on the weekends. Not crazy, but maybe I'll have a bad appetizer with my salad, or I'll have some bread and wine with my meal that I wouldn't normally have.

ETA: I'm 5'2" and a smallish frame. So when I lose just 5-10 lbs, it makes a huge difference on me.

Message edited 8/21/2012 3:30:53 PM.

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

I want to lose quite a bit of weight, so I think it will take a while for me to "see" a difference.

I did go down one size in my jeans...

Thanks for the responses

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

I've lost 42 pounds since January and want to lose about 30-40 more. I would say it took about 8-12 weeks for me to see a difference, but honestly, people didn't really start noticing until it was about 25-30 pounds (5 months or so). Keeping a food journal is key (I use myfitnesspal) and small goals. If you slip, just get back into it. Good luck!!!

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

I have lost 12.5 pounds. I have A LOT more to go. I def don't see a different and probably won't till about 20 or 30 more pounds but I would suggest taking pictures of yourself every 10 lbs or so. People on Myfitnesspal do it all the time and you can see such a big difference when they do!

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Small goals is definitely a great start. It's easier to achieve and it makes you feel like it's all worth it.

When you have more then 30 lbs to lose, the first 10 is the easiest - maybe 2 months to do it. But then after that, set 5 lb goals from there. Losing 5 lbs a month is a healthy, steady way to lose weight and keep it off. Fast weight loss almost never lasts.

P.S. Weight Watchers is a great starting point for a lot of people. It's easier to follow and less restricting then south beach.

Also for exercise, find something you enjoy so you stick with it. Walking with a friend, or your dog can be fun. Bike riding, tennis, etc. I personally can't do the gym bc I get bored real fast and never stick to it.

Good Luck!!

Message edited 8/21/2012 10:08:17 PM.

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

I've lost 25 lbs so far, have a few more to go. I noticed a small difference in my clothes after losing about 10 lbs and a very noticeable difference after 15 lbs. By 20 lbs I needed new pants but I held off until 25 lbs because I wasn't sure what size I would be. Turns out that 5 lbs made a big difference. I went from an 8 to a 2 in Gap (which we ALL know is vanity sizing) so I would estimate I'm about a 4 right now, maybe a 6 in some stores.

Seeing the scale go down each day in the beginning was a huge motivator - and tracking my weight loss each week so I could see the difference motivated me even more. Now, looking in the mirror and actually liking what I see motivates me to keep going, and like Beth said, I love looking good in clothes! Trying on clothes now is a total pleasure.

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Thanks SO much for all your advice...

I really appreciate it, especially from people who are going through or have gone through the same thing

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

I started WW at the end of March and doing Zumba 1x/wk and Yoga 1x/wk in April.

When I started I was squeezing into size 14 pants. I've lost 25.4lbs so far and size 10 pants are loose/comfy at the waist. I've also been doing Zumba 3x/wk since the end of June.

I lost quickly in the beginning because frankly before I started, I ate whatever I wanted (carb junky!!) and was a complete couch potato, so it was pretty noticeable right away.

It showed a lot in my face too which made other people notice.

I am still looking to lose another 25 or so lbs. My right size should be around a 4 or 6.


I'm also in the midst of slacking on tracking my points or being strict about what I eat but I'm still nowhere near the habits I had before (getting 2 donuts every morning when I got my coffee, onion rings or french fries a several times a week with lunch, three slices of pizza for dinner, etc).
But I've managed to lose a pound or so or maintain ... after Labor Day (have some vacation coming up), I'll be back on board.


GOOD LUCK!!!!

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Just wondering...

Do you think it is better (psychologically) to weigh yourself every day or once a week?

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Hope you have some time to read.

1... Progress pictures. I kept in mind that the first set was going to be the worst set, but that in no time I was going to be happy that I took them.

These are just of my face, smiling and unsmiling at 250 / 205 / 190: http://i.imgur.com/dBjcw.jpg?2 I haven't taken a recent set (I'm close to 180 now) but this is pretty recent: http://i.imgur.com/rRnPw.jpg?1

Those sets also include full length pics of me in a sports bra and spandex shorts taken from the front, side, and back (ack! ) too. I used embarrassment to my advantage. I don't feel comfortable sharing those here, but will PM them to you if you want. When you pay attention, you can find ALL sorts of changes. Heck, even my hairline changed from picture to picture. So weird.

2... Take your time!! I feel that fast weight loss is overrated and commonly temporary. First question is - how much did you lose? (70 pounds) Second question is always - how long did it take you? (why does that matter?)

You have to think of it as a life change, and focus on how you will maintain the loss when you're where you want to be. How else can you do that but believing that it's permanent and acting accordingly?

3... I made a deal with myself that I could weigh myself daily but only if I use that information for good, not evil. No beating myself up, no binging because I lost more than I thought. The number is a tool, to evaluate how food and exercise affects my weight and water weight as well. I am not defined by a number on a scale, or the size of my jeans.

4... Remember, motivation is not a tangible thing that you either have or don't. The champions, the people who succeed and prevail are the ones who suck it up and get it done, especially when you just. don't. want. to.

Do it anyway, motivation be damned.

5... For every 10 pounds you lose, buy yourself something. No, really. One rule... that something has to be related to weight loss. New exercise clothes, a heart rate monitor, weights, yoga mat, earbuds for listening to music during workouts.

I could tell you a ton of other things that got me to this point, but you have your own journey. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another, so don't strictly adhere to anyone else's guidelines or ideas about weight loss unless you really agree with it. I wish you luck

Message edited 8/22/2012 7:07:46 PM.

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Posted by greenfreak

I could tell you a ton of other things that got me to this point, but you have your own journey. What works for one doesn't necessarily work for another, so don't strictly adhere to anyone else's guidelines or ideas about weight loss unless you really agree with it. I wish you luck

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Posted by Palebride

I just had to say what an inspiration you are! Reading your journey is part of the reason I have had weight loss success...and I thank you!

After the birth of my daughter, I was so heavy....I can't admit my weight, but it was bad.
After 5 years, I have finally lost all of the weight I gained while pregnant...it's been slow....and it hasn't been steady...and I've messed up a million times along the way! But I have kept going. And finally...FINALLY....I can say I have lost 75 pounds since the birth of my daughter. I still have more that I want to lose, but I know I can do it.

My suggestions....do what works for you...and when it gets boring, switch it up. When I get bored, I get lazy and I stop paying attention. Try to get someone else involved with you if you can. Sometimes my mother and I will create contests with one another...whoever loses more weight each week gets treated to a manicure by the other person. And never, ever give up. It's hard, and it's not usually fun...but the success is so worth it!
Good luck!!

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Thank you all SO much...

I am definitely setting small goals (5 pounds).

I think I'm going to start getting on the scale once a week...on Fridays, so I can see how I did for the week.

I know that I didn't gain the weight overnight, so I'm not going to lose the weight overnight...

I will bookmark this thread so I can come back to it from time to time...to read your encouraging words.



Thanks again

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

I started WW the last week of March first week of April and i have lost 43.4lbs
Thats with a week of gaining cuase i went on vacation and had every intention on gaining

It took a little bit for me to notice when i started loosing and it took other people longer to notice but i think its because i must carry weight "well" people get shocked when i tell them how much i lost.

When i joined and saw what my actual wieght was i was on the verge of tears. I could not believe how heavy i was. That is what kept me motivate, I knew i had to and wanted to loose weight. Other things that help was that I am a person if i set a goal i have to meet it; i am very very stict on WW, i dont cheat and i measure everything when i can. The fact that i was paying to lose wieght help me keep motivated and my vacation in July was a big motivation; i wanted to loose as much weight as possible before it got there.

I made my WW goal and i now I am focused on trying to loose 10 more lbs but im ok if i dont

i was anti WW for a while but i have to say if you want help staying motiviated maybe try it out it sure helped me!!

lots of luck.

Also i would def only wiegh in once a week every day to me would just be torture!

Re: Those who lost a lot of weight..please come in

Honestly, it was the scale.

I know that people say that numbers dont mean everything but for me, if I lost an ounce from one day to the next, I was able to diet again that day. I really NEEDED to see that number go down to make it worth it.