Permanent substantial weight loss: what works?

[Anonymous]

Can you guys tell me how you lost the weight? I am just so hungry and over 40 now and never had to diet before. I lost some 7 lbs over the summer walking a lot and then had to go back to work and diagnosed with Lyme disease. I am feeling better now, but still drained and my metabolism isn't what it used to be. Basically I could eat a cow and not gain weight until few years ago, hence I don't know what I am doing wrong. Sometimes, I will eat a ton, like for Thanksgiving and lose a couple of lbs, other times, I will watch carbs, eat almost nothing and gain weight. I tried frequent eating, protein, veggies, I am feeling like I have no control over my body any more. Also, is there anything that can suppress apettite? Due to fatigue and low blood pressure, I am feeling out of energy and tend to eat more to get energy.

[Anonymous]

I have had trouble losing weight for 10+ years. I finally hunkered down and got serious about it in the past year. I'm down 65lbs (with some left to go). No surgery, just taking it one day at a time. I start with the 21 day fix (I seriously needed to detox from my sugar obsession and learn how to eat properly). That was fantastic for it.

I moved on to clean eating. We also joined a gym, which we frequent 3-5 times a week (they have an indoor pool, so 3 days are lifting and the other swimming). We have a treadmill in the basement which I walk on every day (at least 2 miles, I try to hit 3).

My daughter is 4 and my motivation. She started noticing people are different sizes/shapes and I knew I would be crushed if she said something about me being "fat".

So far so good. Thankfully the sugar obsession is gone, I can now have it in small amounts without triggering a binge (that took about 3 months of cutting it out cold turkey).

Figure out your triggers. Mine were watching TV, emotional times, and boredom. I chewed a lot of gum too... The first month was really "whatever you gotta do" to get through it. Then it started to get easier. As the weight comes off that is motivation right there, you just need to get through the first few weeks.

Oh with the 21 day fix I don't think I ever finished all the allotted containers - it was a ton of food. It's a really good place to start portion control wise and making sure you are getting the right foods into your diet. It is a lot of cooking though, no processed foods (also a great thing) so a bit of a commitment (but a TON of great recipe's out there).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It took me close to two years, I wasn't a fast loser! In the beginning, I did follow a special diet, it's called the DASH diet. It's meant to reduce high blood pressure so lots of low sodium choices.

I was obese since age five and was in my forties when I decided to lose the weight. You are absolutely right about having to fight the self doubt. Although I had tried many diets and programs before, I was always so overwhelmed with the sheer amount of weight I needed to lose and never really believed it was possible. I have an enormous appetite and sadly no satiety signals that seem to function!



Thanks for responding. You did an awesome job, especially after being overweight for so long. I plan to be just as successful.

[Anonymous]

I have kept 35 pounds off for about 12 years. I was always heavy before that. I am still not thin but I am fine with that--I am pretty average and very fit. I count calories but never go below 2000 because it messes up my metabolism. I count calories even when I seriously overeat. Not exact just ballpark. I exercise the equivalent of running 35 makes a week--and rarely skip more than a day. Those are the two biggies. I also allow myself to splurge at least once a week. I do have seasonal fluctuations. I try to accommodate for winter gain by losing five pounds or so in the summer. I exercise a lot in the summer. I don't have the healthiest diet--lots of sugar but I am working on that.

[Anonymous]

Gastric bypass surgery. I've kept off the 100 pounds for 11 years without exercising.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have had trouble losing weight for 10+ years. I finally hunkered down and got serious about it in the past year. I'm down 65lbs (with some left to go). No surgery, just taking it one day at a time. I start with the 21 day fix (I seriously needed to detox from my sugar obsession and learn how to eat properly). That was fantastic for it.

I moved on to clean eating. We also joined a gym, which we frequent 3-5 times a week (they have an indoor pool, so 3 days are lifting and the other swimming). We have a treadmill in the basement which I walk on every day (at least 2 miles, I try to hit 3).

My daughter is 4 and my motivation. She started noticing people are different sizes/shapes and I knew I would be crushed if she said something about me being "fat".

So far so good. Thankfully the sugar obsession is gone, I can now have it in small amounts without triggering a binge (that took about 3 months of cutting it out cold turkey).

Figure out your triggers. Mine were watching TV, emotional times, and boredom. I chewed a lot of gum too... The first month was really "whatever you gotta do" to get through it. Then it started to get easier. As the weight comes off that is motivation right there, you just need to get through the first few weeks.

Oh with the 21 day fix I don't think I ever finished all the allotted containers - it was a ton of food. It's a really good place to start portion control wise and making sure you are getting the right foods into your diet. It is a lot of cooking though, no processed foods (also a great thing) so a bit of a commitment (but a TON of great recipe's out there).

I am OP. I am glad for you, but this is not what I am looking for because you haven't kept weight off for several years. Congratulations on your loss so far, though.

Those of you who have posted about keeping it off, thanks very much for posting. It's really interesting to hear your experiences. I am not opposed to weight loss surgery, so I would love to hear more about those of you who have lived with weight loss surgery for several years. I am also really glad to hear from those of you who kept weight off for years without weight loss surgery -- you have beat odds that are really terrible, and I think that's impressive.

Keep the stories coming! Thank you!

[Anonymous]

No sugar, low carb, crossfit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No sugar, low carb, crossfit

How many years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have had trouble losing weight for 10+ years. I finally hunkered down and got serious about it in the past year. I'm down 65lbs (with some left to go). No surgery, just taking it one day at a time. I start with the 21 day fix (I seriously needed to detox from my sugar obsession and learn how to eat properly). That was fantastic for it.

I moved on to clean eating. We also joined a gym, which we frequent 3-5 times a week (they have an indoor pool, so 3 days are lifting and the other swimming). We have a treadmill in the basement which I walk on every day (at least 2 miles, I try to hit 3).

My daughter is 4 and my motivation. She started noticing people are different sizes/shapes and I knew I would be crushed if she said something about me being "fat".

So far so good. Thankfully the sugar obsession is gone, I can now have it in small amounts without triggering a binge (that took about 3 months of cutting it out cold turkey).

Figure out your triggers. Mine were watching TV, emotional times, and boredom. I chewed a lot of gum too... The first month was really "whatever you gotta do" to get through it. Then it started to get easier. As the weight comes off that is motivation right there, you just need to get through the first few weeks.

Oh with the 21 day fix I don't think I ever finished all the allotted containers - it was a ton of food. It's a really good place to start portion control wise and making sure you are getting the right foods into your diet. It is a lot of cooking though, no processed foods (also a great thing) so a bit of a commitment (but a TON of great recipe's out there).

I am OP. I am glad for you, but this is not what I am looking for because you haven't kept weight off for several years. Congratulations on your loss so far, though.

Those of you who have posted about keeping it off, thanks very much for posting. It's really interesting to hear your experiences. I am not opposed to weight loss surgery, so I would love to hear more about those of you who have lived with weight loss surgery for several years. I am also really glad to hear from those of you who kept weight off for years without weight loss surgery -- you have beat odds that are really terrible, and I think that's impressive.

Keep the stories coming! Thank you!

for the most part, the odds are "terrible" due to individual choices. i would share my story about losing 80 pounds, but you have made it clear that you don't want to hear about them if they aren't more than 5-6 years old, so i won't waste the space.

there is no magic bullet. diet changes that are doable long-term, portion control, and wanting to remain healthy. find what works for you and do it. and if you have more than 30 pounds to lose, consult your doctor.

[Anonymous]

My DH loadt 80lbs about 6 years ago and hasn't gained a pound back. He actually eats pretry normal, just eats less. He never ever ever stuffs himself. He eats everything...sugar, dairy, wheat, meat, vegetables, you name it, he eats it. He also runs about 3xs a week and lifts weights 2xs. He also plays rugby in a mens adult league.

So in a nutshell, less calories, more activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Weight loss surgery.

+1
that's how I did it

[Anonymous]

I did weight watchers for a year. That got my portions under control and gave me a good idea of how much I should be eating. I now weight myself every Monday morning. If i go 2lbs over my max tolerance for weight (150 lbs, im 5'9") i immediately cut back on calories and ramp up my exercise. Normally by the following Monday im back down and then continue to get back to my ideal. My ideal is to always stay at 144.

Basically it is much easier to droo 2-5 lbs than allowing it to spiral out of control and climb a mountain all iver again.

[Anonymous]

55 lbs lost over about 3 years, kept off for three now. Low carb, low sugar, lifting heavy. I prioritize sleep and working out over all other non work / family activities. I avoid eating out unless it's great and / or special, same with treats. And I weigh myself every day. I am up 8# in the last 3 months due to stress from a cross country move but I know I'll have it off in 4-6 weeks. It can be done, but it may take a major lifestyle overhaul.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have had trouble losing weight for 10+ years. I finally hunkered down and got serious about it in the past year. I'm down 65lbs (with some left to go). No surgery, just taking it one day at a time. I start with the 21 day fix (I seriously needed to detox from my sugar obsession and learn how to eat properly). That was fantastic for it.

I moved on to clean eating. We also joined a gym, which we frequent 3-5 times a week (they have an indoor pool, so 3 days are lifting and the other swimming). We have a treadmill in the basement which I walk on every day (at least 2 miles, I try to hit 3).

My daughter is 4 and my motivation. She started noticing people are different sizes/shapes and I knew I would be crushed if she said something about me being "fat".

So far so good. Thankfully the sugar obsession is gone, I can now have it in small amounts without triggering a binge (that took about 3 months of cutting it out cold turkey).

Figure out your triggers. Mine were watching TV, emotional times, and boredom. I chewed a lot of gum too... The first month was really "whatever you gotta do" to get through it. Then it started to get easier. As the weight comes off that is motivation right there, you just need to get through the first few weeks.

Oh with the 21 day fix I don't think I ever finished all the allotted containers - it was a ton of food. It's a really good place to start portion control wise and making sure you are getting the right foods into your diet. It is a lot of cooking though, no processed foods (also a great thing) so a bit of a commitment (but a TON of great recipe's out there).

I am OP. I am glad for you, but this is not what I am looking for because you haven't kept weight off for several years. Congratulations on your loss so far, though.

Those of you who have posted about keeping it off, thanks very much for posting. It's really interesting to hear your experiences. I am not opposed to weight loss surgery, so I would love to hear more about those of you who have lived with weight loss surgery for several years. I am also really glad to hear from those of you who kept weight off for years without weight loss surgery -- you have beat odds that are really terrible, and I think that's impressive.

Keep the stories coming! Thank you!

for the most part, the odds are "terrible" due to individual choices. i would share my story about losing 80 pounds, but you have made it clear that you don't want to hear about them if they aren't more than 5-6 years old, so i won't waste the space.

there is no magic bullet. diet changes that are doable long-term, portion control, and wanting to remain healthy. find what works for you and do it. and if you have more than 30 pounds to lose, consult your doctor.

OP: You are correct. I do not want to hear about experiences from people who have not maintained significant weight loss for more than several years. If you've just lost 80 lbs over the past year or two, I am glad for you but uninterested. If you lost 80 lbs several years ago and kept it off, please chime in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did weight watchers for a year. That got my portions under control and gave me a good idea of how much I should be eating. I now weight myself every Monday morning. If i go 2lbs over my max tolerance for weight (150 lbs, im 5'9") i immediately cut back on calories and ramp up my exercise. Normally by the following Monday im back down and then continue to get back to my ideal. My ideal is to always stay at 144.

Basically it is much easier to droo 2-5 lbs than allowing it to spiral out of control and climb a mountain all iver again.

Do you go back to Weight Watchers (at least the counting, etc.) when you find yourself going a bit back up? Also, how long have you been doing this for?