Thought it might be helpful/informational if some of our successful weight losers could check in here with a couple of simple stats. Your height/age/starting & current weight and how many calories you typically consume in a day. And for one last note, what do you think was the most important factor in your weight loss (counting, exercise, support, etc).
Thanks everyone!
Reason: 9/3/08: released as a featured thread
age 41
starting weight 406 (!)
current weight 218
calories 1500
exercise I walk and/or run at least 10 hours a week.
most important factor: persistence. In the greater scheme of things, one day's calorie count isn't important nor is one day's workout. If a workout isn't as good as yesterday's, try to make it better tomorrow, the important thing is I got out there and gave it my best shot.
Holy cow aovermy -- congratulations!
Height 5'8"
Age 47
SW 210
CW 153 (8 to go)
Calories: 1600-1800
I swim, bike, or run 3-5 days per week or a little of all (not the running so much). I've had good days, good weeks, bad days and bad weeks -- but I just keep coming back. Counting/logging absolutely keeps me more honest (I tended to not log if I thought I'd go over, since stopped that). I eat about 45-60g fiber per day, drink about 130-180 oz water per day, and try to avoid all HFCS foods.
This isn't "all or nothing" this is a lifestyle -- you just gotta know that with life there will always be good and bad days.
Oh -- and I never gave up the chocolate... and I consistently ate after 10pm at night (going to bed around 12-1), I still cook with olive oil, and I don't eat artificial sweeteners.
WOW wtg aovermy!!! That's amazing!
Height 5'1"
Age 38
SW & nbsp; 250
CW 148
Calories: 1300-1400 (trying to lose 15 more)
Gave up jogging for now because of bum knee. I bike 8 miles every morning burning 400 calories in 40 minutes.
I have beer/wings night at local pub once every other week. Gives me something to look forward to!
~H~
I'm not done yet... but I'll bite - I just reached the weight that was my original goal.
Height 5'6"
Age 37
starting weight (November 1, 2007) 265
current weight (August 26, 2008) 199
Calories 1500 give-or-take
Daily sedentary burn 1900 (try for 2300 with exercise/activity)
Exercise - walking and swimming (aiming for 30-60 minutes vigorous activity per day five days a week.)
Most important factors? Persistance and being realistic. Everyone's going to plateau every now and then... don't get discouraged by it - remember, 'slow and steady wins the race' is only a cliche because it's true! Be realistic about your dieting aims, about what you're putting into your mouth, and about what you want to do for exercise. It has to be sustainable over a long-term basis (we're talking YEARS here) or it's not really going to work.
Hi this will be the first time I have given these stats to anyone
Height:5'7"
Age: 47
SW:188 CW: 172 GW:143
I have been at battle with my asthma this year, and on steroids. I work out 5 times a week, 3 cardio days (Run/walk 4 miles) with weight training and 2 days of power yoga. Finally got my asthma under control and there is no stopping me now that I have found this website. Thanks for asking!
height 6'0"
age 26
SW: 264
CW: 214
GW: 164 (thats right, as of this morning i am 1/2 way there!)
daily calories 1500-1800... somewhere in there usually
most important factor.... and extremely addictive personality.... I usually go full out on something, and they totally lose interest.... but so far I'm doing ok!
Height 5' 8"
Age 47
SW 250
CW 157
Calories 1500-1800
Exercise: I started by walking 5km each day, upped it to 7km and then started to run once I lost 1/2 of the weight.
Most important factor: Believing you deserved to be successful. As aovermy said, it's about giving it your best shot each day. I still log my food to keep me honest with myself.
My loss is nothing compared to the hard work most of you have gone through. But I'll post. I cannot even imagine, the hard work, as I felt losing 10 lbs was not easy.
Age: 40 (just turned, ugg)
Hgt: 5'1"
SW: 118
CW 108
Calories 1350
It took me almost 6 mos to lose 10lbs, I cut calories but not dramatically. I think counting really helped me change my eating habits. I try to be active every day and at least get a good walk in. I go to the gym about 1 to 2 times per week for hard workout.
Height 5'5
age 31
SW 154
CW 130
GW 128 (I'm almost there!)
calories 1400-1500
I do some form of excercise everyday, but try to take it easy and stick with yoga or a walk at least once a week.
I think my most important factor was more the exercise but also a lot of just paying attention to what I eat. I by no means have cut out the "junk" just been a lot more aware of amounts and how often I indulge. I also feel that good genetics played a part, and obviously not everyone can have that.
Height 5'10
Age 35
SW 212 (April 1, 2008)
CW 184.6
GW 165 
Average about 1,200-1,400 calories a week with no exercise.
Height: 5'7"
Age: 27
SW: 182
CW: 138.5
GW: 135 (almost there)
Calories: about 1500
Most important factor: Consistency & logging all of my food each day and sticking with it. Exercise it also very important... usually do wii fit or run daily.
Congratulations everyone! Whether its 10 lbs or 100 lbs, losing weight is a challenge and you all should be proud of yourself.
Age: 25
Height: 5'4"
SW: 167
CW: 127
GW: 124 (3 lbs to go!)
I attribute my weight loss mostly to a very strict diet, though I do vigorous exercise at a minimum of 3 times a week (running, swimming, or spinning). I usually eat 1200 calories a day on non work out days and 1300-1400 on work out days. I cut out refined sugar, limited carbs in quantity and only "brown" carbs, and I eat tons of fiber and lean protein. I also tried to have one meal "off" a week, where I would eat what I wanted (within reason...I wouldn't eat an entire chocolate cake or anything, but would allow myself to enjoy reasonable portions of pasta, pizza, etc.)
For the record, i also ate late at night, though I always made smart choices and tried to limit the late night eating when I hit plateaus. I admittedly do not drink enough water but have tried to cut back on diet soda.
I think the most important thing about weight loss is not to treat it as a temporary diet...in order to keep the weight off, you MUST change your lifestyle. I have not only transformed my weight but my way of life entirely.
Age: 27
Height: 5'6.5"
SW: 238
CW:179
GW: 150 (or so)
Average Calorie Intake: 1500-1900 (zig-zagging)
Most important factor: As other posters have said, consistency. Consistency with calorie intake and calorie output. Being able to push forward no matter what happened yesterday. Also, being optimistic really helps :)
I haven't read through other replies yet so I'm probably not going to add much but here I go.
Age: 29
Height: 6'1.5"
SW: 320 (probably more, I was afraid to look)
CW: 186
GW: 165 post skin removal
Trying to get about 2000 calories a day give or take. My key to success has been #1- if I cheat I forgive myself and forget about it, the next day it's back to business. #2- my husband built a laptop stand onto my exercise bike so I could play games while I work out. That made all the difference in the world for me, I can space out and not realize my legs are going until my time is up. These days I'm an exercise addict and I thrive on the burn but I hated it so much starting out it was the only way to motivate myself to do it!
height 5'7
age 50
starting weight 210
current weight 140
calories 2000 - 2200
exercise I walk 6 days a week. 3 days 60 minutes, 3 days 36 minutes plus weight training.
most important factor: Being truthful to myself and never giving up. Always take every day - one day at a time. If I get tired I motivate myself to do better. I made sure I told myself whats making me achieve my goal - is ME....no one else....daily exercise and eating right is the key!
Height 5'8"
Age 40
Starting Weight 167 (Jan08)
Current Weight 140
Goal Weight (I keep changing it, now 135)
Calories per day 1400
Exercise Walking the dog with my husband and daughter
Buying a food scale was the best thing I ever did...Makes it all so simple. Plus, I have not given up any of my favorite foods or beverages, just have less of them. It has been a complete lifestyle change.
wow. You guys are wonderful! Everyone of you has done a lovely job!
Height: 5'7"
Age: 25
SW: 200
CW: 172
Goal Weight: 135
I eat 1200-1400 calories a day depending on how much I exercise. I do Wii Fit every morning and try to do 30 minutes of DDR, 30 minutes of light step, or bike to and from work as well. I am like most people. I still eat what I did before, I just eat less of it. I have also introduced new, healthy foods to my diet so in the end, I eat more things than I did when I started. My philosophy is "one day at a time". If you fall off the wagon, you just get right back on.
Good luck!
Height: 6'
Age 29
SW: 377
CW : 291.5
Calories per day; 2300 Zig Zag
Most important thing is drinking tons of water and logging every last calorie.
height 5' 3 1/2"
age 35
SW 129
CW 109
Calories 2,500; sometimes 3,000
Exercise Predominantly weight lifting; cardio as well
Changing up my exercise routine made the weight fall off rapidly.
Height: 5'7"
Age: 38
SW: 258 (Aug. 23, 2008)
CW: 250...lost 8 lbs in 5 days...YEA!!!
GW: 160
Calories: 1400-1550 daily
Counting and writing it down...lol..ok, typing it in on here, has really helped.
So you can keep track of what you eat - which enables you to analyze your foods and receive the following:
- Health Score of your overall diet
- Warning when you approach your daily calorie limit
- Overview of the good and bad nutrients