that is a perfect quote for so many things i am going through right now. thank you

Now see my reason for sticking to exercise isn't as inspirational as everyone else's on the thread . My reason for deciding to loose weight and for sticking woth it is simply how unhappy I am with my health and appearence. If I were happy I wouldn't do a thing but I'm not, so I am committed to doing something.

As for sticking with it...water and sugar-free chewing gum

Counting calories in my online food journal every day.

Water! And I don't eat when I'm not hungry, and make healthier choices.

My secret weapon is believing that I can do it.

I never did before, now I do and it makes it much easier.

Oh and 3FC.

Although 3FC is the only site I come to everyday (well, fitday too) I'm going to say the internet in general. I've learned so much about the content of foods, body composition, exercise, weight lifting .... I've studied what athlete's do and eat. I've even looked at bad practices to see what not to do.

Not going to the store to buy food. Over here (in the UK) some of our supermarkets have websites where we can order our food and then they deliver it.

It works out cheaper because I don't get tempted to buy the naughty stuff and its easy to plan a menu for the week and then order it.

Water!

Preparing only whole foods. (nothing "processed")

replacing junk food in my diet with stuff that isnt processed. Drinking less diet soda. Lots of walking. I don't view anything I've done as far as my plan to be very drastic and the weight loss has been slooowwww (like 3 years slow) but I have never gained so much as a 5 pounds back this whole time. Don't focus on the fast weight loss. Just focus on changing your behaviors and the weight will come off, even if it takes 3 years like it has for me. I think even if I wanted to gain the weight back I wouldnt be able because I don't remember the lifestyle I used to lead.

Eating breakfast as soon as I get up every morning. Eating something clean(not processed) every 2-3 hours throughout the day. Drinking at least 10 glasses of water every day.
Terrie

It's been a few things for me. First the exercise is a huge thing. I exercise 6 days a week and allow myself one off day. I also drink a ton of water and almost totally gave up soda. I maybe have one a week. Making healthier choices when it comes to food. Portion control is really hard for me. And finally, if I have a bad day I don't let it turn into a bad few days. I pick myself up the next day and start fresh. And I don't dwell on it.

This is the most important thing for me. Everything centers around it. My eating habits, exercise, monitoring. Continued support at 3FC! Everything is based on what maintenance will look like.

YES! As part of my plan for maintenance I know I need to get on the scale EVERY DAY. I can handle the fluxuations.

Also as Helen (YP1) mentioned. I focus on non scale goals. Things that I want to accomplish. I will scream the day I can do a “downward facing dog” with heels on the floor. Or be able to get my torso off the floor using my core and abs muscles only (like Suzanne Deason); I will be on cloud nine when I can easily work in a consistent cardio, weight training, yoga/ Pilate’s routine. And eventually…. This will be a big one for me. Eventually I want to get back on a unicycle. I’m too uncoordinated and heavy now. But I will be able to do it. Everything I am working on now is toward that goal.

ROUTINE!!

I have discovered this summer that routine is my secret weapon. Having the same routine, week in and week out is what helps me lose weight. I've had to go out of town so much ( memorial service, family reunion, weddings, going to the lake for the weekend, parents house for the 4th of july), and almost all of these events centered around food! I don't have to go out of town until Thanksgiving, and I am so looking forward to getting back on track and focusing really hard on my weight loss efforts. It's not that I wasn't during this time, it's just that I'd give myself a free pass on these weekend, and because of that, I've been losing and gaining the same 4 pounds for like 2 months.

visualizing a thinner future every day, eating protein at every meal, and running instead of walking. I know this is why I was finally able to do it!