I've done it, but it took me a year and a half.

Good for you Amy you are doing wonderful. There are a few of us here that have lost more than a hundred. It takes time but just keep breaking it into small chunks and you will do it. I have lost 142 in the pas 15 months and a total of 215 lbs from my heaviest. Keep up the good work. I look forward to seeing you around.

55 lbs is awesome!! Congratulations!

Hey 55 pounds is a TERRIFIC start! CONGRATS & Welcome!

congrats on your 55 pound loss and welcome to the group! there are lots of people here who have lost 100 or more pounds... i'm not one of them YET.

Over half way to 100 ~ good for you!

It took me 16 months to lose 100, but the time went quickly and it was encouraging along the way to see and feel the effects of losing consistently notwithstanding frustrating plateaus (which I'm warning you WILL happen ~ its your body adjusting ~ you just can't allow it to throw you off track). Please don't get discouraged at thinking it might take another year, because you're going to be feeling better physically and emotionally (and be wearing smaller clothes) every step of the way. I'm betting it took you more than a year and a half to gain the weight in the first place, right? Stay strong and good luck!

WTG on the loss so far. sounds like you are off to a super start and I'm sure you'll be posting about your 100 pound loss in no time!!!

Welcome Amy!

Congrats on the 55lb loss, that is no mean feat! The rest will come off slowly but surely - you just have to keep plugging away at it day in day out unfortunately! I know the feeling that it can't come off quick enough - that's how I feel too, but all you can do is just keep on keeping on!

Love Amanda x

You've done an incredible job! Time to go shopping. Welcome!

CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME! It's great to have you here! Motivation is so contagious! In addition to actual posts from people who've lost 100+ pounds, there's a thread naming them all that's "stickied" at the topic of the page.

As for the longterm goal thing, I think it's definitely best to break it up into smaller, less daunting goals. It can also only go so fast, right? The time is going to pass regardless, and you'll have the ongoing motivation and satisfaction of seeing your progress continue. As Jill said, plateaus are inevitable, but just ride them out and you'll get to the other side. Another thing that helps with staying jazzed and juiced is buying smaller sizes. I found that to be SUCH a shot in the arm, and the compliments that the smaller clothes generated felt GREAT! Obviously, don't invest a lot of money in them, because you're a work in progress -- but really, I highly recommend it!

It's great to have you here -- look forward to getting to know you better!

55 pounds is WONDERFUL!!! What a great way to start. I know how hard it can be to look ahead to another 55 and then another. Some diet guru (Dr. Phil maybe?) said something that really stuck with me: "A year from now you will either be thinner or fatter. WHich do you want to be?" It is a powerful motivator to remember that, even though this will take a while, you are doing it now -- and in however much time it takes -- you'll be DONE, not JUST starting.

Welcome and hang in there.

Wow -- thanks everybody!!! I have had a lot going on in my home for a couple of days so I hadn't been back to the boards. But I have to say -- I am glad I finally made it -- it was a much needed pick-me-up -- I just might make it through the day now! I had to laugh about the clothes -- I was going to try really hard to not buy anything new until winter comes -- you can get away with so much more in the summer. I have pants that wouldn't stay up if it weren't for the drawstring, capris that fall to my ankles when I put my cell phone in my pocket, and pants that have safety pins in them to make them stay up where they belong. I am on an extremely small budget, so I wanted to put it off as long as possible -- but if I keep this up I just might be forced into shopping whether I like itor not!! Oh what a horrible thought, lol.