[Michelle98272]

I woke up this am and weighed myself. I saw my 2nd mini-goal of 253. (Actually 235.4- but I'm taking it!!)

I really thought when I started eating healthy and increasing my activity that it would go much quicker. In the early days of this change, I had set my daily calories way too low. The weight came off quickly but listening to wisdom here...it wasn't something I could do for a life time. I raised my calories until I felt satisfied at the end of the day. I spent my calories like dollars, making sure I got my "money's worth" in terms of most nutrition/most filling. I did a lot of piling my plate high with lots of veggies early on to get the feeling that I was eating a lot. As time has gone on...I don't feel the need to do that as much, I am eating much more healthy foods that keep me full longer. My daily calorie goal that has allowed me to lose an average of 5 lbs a month is a crazy 1980. I started at 1200. I was losing as high as 2250 but as my weight has come down I had to go a bit lower to keep the ticker moving downward.

I have made tiny changes, letting each one settle in before trying another: stop eating fast food, journaling and tracking what I eat, drinking water, packing a lunch each day for work, limiting alcohol, pre-cooking for a week of healthy eating, managing portion control, eating whole foods: grains, fruits, veggies, chicken, whole wheat pasta, increasing activity. I don't consider this a diet at all. I don't use those words or have them in my mind. This is healthy eating. Sane eating.

I am down 20 lbs....later, rinse, repeat four more times and I'm there!! I know I don't have it all figured out but do know I have the tools I need to slowly but surely become the healthiest I've been in years. I have no time frame in mind for this...I just plan on doing this one healthy meal or one healthy activity at a time.

Thanks again for being a great bunch of people to be with. I really attribute most of my success to this site. I love that I don't have to pay to get the support, nor limit myself to once a week to get weighed and listen to someone tell me how to be successful. This isn't quick fixes or fad diets. I love the wealth of knowledge from people who have lost 75, 100 150, 187, 200 lbs and have kept it off. I've surrounded myself with people that are living this life, every day and finding success!

[WarMaiden]

*thumbs up*

[time2lose]

Congratulations on meeting that goal! It sounds like you have thought this through and have come up with a plan that you can live with long term. I am sure that you will repeat this four more times.

[cathydoe]

Good 4 U!

[MamaP]

Congratulations on hitting the 20-lb mark. I hit it today. Like you I started with my calories way to low (1000-1200) and have worked my way up to about 1600-1700. Keep up the good work.