I know a lot of us want to answer...ALWAYS!
But maybe just stick to your most current plan. How long since you started? What plan are you on? What are your successes (scale or non-scale)?
I'll start. I started calorie counting in Mid-August 2008, and this is the longest I've ever stuck to a diet. I average around 1500 cals/day, have increased activity but little real exercise, and I've gone from a size 22 to 16 (60 pounds).
On and off SERIOUSLY since last March. Then I lost about 20 pounds in 4 or 5 weeks and started a new job...a DESK job and I gained 10 back. Now I'm at it again, and trying to lose the last 65 I want to lose. I'm calorie counting (1300-1500 a day), working out everyday (30-60 mins per day of cardio, will add weights in later) and TRYING to be positive.
I started the 31st of December and although I'm not seeing much of a difference I now know it's WHAT I eat and not HOW MUCH. I'm hoping for better results this time around and keeping it off!
I eliminated trigger foods and foods I was sensitive to. I didn't count calories, but I started to get an idea of what was in the foods I was consuming. I read every single label (and still do!). I focused on eating whole foods, much of it raw. I ate small meals and basically "snacked" all day. I wasn't really ready to cook regular meals yet
I met my DH the DAY I hit my goal that October and incidentally started cooking again, except this time I was a totally different cook.
Successes? Gosh.
-I climbed a 14,000 foot mountain.
-My clothing sizes are in the single digits (not at the moment for the first time since I hit goal, but this is a temporary glitch).
-I know SO MUCH about nutrition that I never knew before.
-I've maintained a workout regiment through 4 years. I've taken breaks (I think my longest was 3 weeks), but I work out regularly.
-I have lots of energy (not much lately, but again- temporary)
-I get 7 hours of sleep and I spring out of bed
Failures:
-I need a smack upside the head sometimes to remind me that my body is different. I can't eat like normal folks (and I've tried... and failed).
-I can't eat bread, pasta, rice, etc... on any kind of regular basis. I've tried and failed at that, too. It just doesn't work.
-I'm not a calorie counter. For me, it's very much about the KIND of calories I'm consuming. This is a good thing, because I SUCK at tracking calories.
... I thought a lot of the "failure" stuff would change, but it's just going to be the case forever... but it's worth it
I started in mid October. I just started eating a lot less, and no junk food. Paying attention to everything I eat. Then I started exercising every day, that got interrupted a couple times by sickness or physical problems.
My successes have been staying motivated. Not binging ever. Making conscious choices about what I'm eating and how much. Not giving in to any temptation. Cutting back on alcohol, and not smoking weed(with the occasional at the party joint).
I've lost 24 lbs since getting the scale (ten weeks). I have lost 2 and a half inches on my waist and hips, and two inches off my bust. Along with inch losses in various other places.
The only thing I'm not succeeding in, is drinking water.
How are you feeling about your goal now that you're so close to it?
Thanks Honey!
Wellllll....I'm not sure. I'd like to see what clothing size I end up at first....but the way things are going for me, I'll still have trouble squeezing into my old size 16 Levi's at 175! YIKES.
wow lori! 143 pounds in less than a year! Whats your secret?
Thanks Kelly. I really don't have a secret, I just wanted it badly! I didn't "cheat" at all for a very long time. And even then, they are more like Maintenance days, (except one really, really bad day a few weeks ago!). I count calories religiously. I eat 1200 calories a day Monday thru Thursday, (only heathy food...no empty calories per Doctors orders) and Friday thru Sunday I eat 1500 calories a day. There have been only 4 or 5 days I have gone over this. I move much more, and have began walking a few miles a day. One cold miserable day last January that magic switch turned "ON" and thankfully the light still burns bright.
I know a lot of us want to answer...ALWAYS!
But maybe just stick to your most current plan. How long since you started? What plan are you on? What are your successes (scale or non-scale)?
Started in July 2004. I am on a plan of my own devising. It's a combination of calorie counting, volumetrics and eating whole foods.
January 1st, 2008.
Calorie counting, lean proteins, clean eating, frequent meals, and serious exercise.
My successes are many. I've discovered a lot about myself, my life is very different now, all in positive ways. It would honestly take pages to write! I saved myself from myself, I guess.
I went the opposite and quit with plans. I'm doing the best that way. I am however trying to make healthy choices based on Nourishing Traditions (it's a book on meats, fats, good carbs, etc).
the light bulb switch about mud october so in about 3 months ive lost 26 lbs.
but now im sort of stuck..arrr
sort of calorie counting/but not like ' i have to eat exactly 1300' just an estimate.
ive started to realise im a lot more fun now? and i like talking to people now, and coming out of this sad little depressed shell where i never wanted to see my friends.
How long have you been "dieting"?
Go Lori!!! You're rounding the corner 
I'd like to see what clothing size I end up at first....but the way things are going for me, I'll still have trouble squeezing into my old size 16 Levi's at 175! YIKES.
