Gertie,
I am not able to follow 'diet plans' long, or I fail miserably. I just love food too much, so I have to be flexible in my eating or I will binge big time.

I don't know what height you are, but I am 5'3 and I shoot for 1200 calories max per day of anything I want, with meals every 2-3 hours. 5-6 times a day. Obviously they are smaller meals/ snacks, but more often. I always end up having at least one cheat day per week, so my metabolism never gets out of whack. I try to drink two large water bottles per day. I exercise occasionally, but lost most of the weight without it. I started at 194+ and I'm now at 126-127.
This works well for me. Not fast, but it's doable long term.
I hope you find what works for you.
Plateaus are no fun!
Let us know if you have any other questions

Thanks so much for your input. I am 5'3", too. I am so glad to know what is working for other people. Maybe just counting calories is the way to go. I realized after I posted that I may be retaining water since that usually happens when I shock my body by working out Hopefully, if I stick with it, the bloat will be gone by the weekend. I have been hovering in the 139-140 range for the past 2 weeks and I cannot break through. grrr!

Yes, I get a gain whenever I do a 'real' workout. Probably water retention like you mentioned, but it is SO discouraging! I also eat more when I work out and defeat the whole weight loss thing.
You'll break through sooner or later Determination helps.

Your weight loss history is really inspiring. And great to know that you did it with a cheat day per week. Also good to know that you did it without much exercise (yay!) Did you ever experience plateaus along the way?

Plateaus....Oh my gosh, yes! I reached a plateau at 142, then a major one, teetering b/w 132 and 137.5. Could not for the life of me get below the 130's and now here I am
My plateaus are more cheating on my diet and the scale obviously not moving as a result! Diet is the key to weight loss. If I get stuck or want to lose faster, then I drop to 1050 a couple days of the week.
Everyone is different re: how many calories needed to lose, but 1050-1200 is what helps me. I just try to add veggies and some fruits to help make up for what I'm cutting out.
I'm kind of stuck at 126-127 right now too... but that is more due to not sticking to my calorie counts. I recommitted this morning, so hopefully by next Thurs I will see some results

130 today 129 here I come

Nice work, Skittles! 129 is going to feel great!

I see there is a 120's thread I can't wait

That is an amazing loss (hope it's o. k. to just blurt that out)! It takes a lot of dedication and stick-to-it-ive-ness. Hope I can continue that this year, after gaining over the holidays.

Thank you, Hunger! It took me a very long time, and only since September did I pick back up and continue moving down. I am very small-framed (even x-small gloves are too big) and still need to lose another good 10-15.
We can do it!

So 131 today but I had a late dinner last nite.im gonna start weight trainning at the gym with the machines

Yay, Skittles!

130.0 today yay. 129 here i come

Not weighing today, as yesterday was an "Up Day." Will weigh in tomorrow morning, first thing.