So what's everyone's plan of action?

Weight loss is a slow process, this I know.  So how is everyone attacking it?  Are you just watching what you eat?  Are you just exercising?  Or are you doing both? 

I just really enjoy reading everyone's feedback and seeing if I could pick of some good tips.

I've gotten in the mindset that this a gradual process. Instead of being anxious for immediate changes/results, I'm being a bit more patient & realizing that even if it takes a year, I have the time to wait. It takes the pressure off.

I've been counting calories since 6/21 & love it! I also walk for 30 min at least 3x weekly. & lately, I've been doing stretches & slight cardio for about 10min daily. I was recently in an auto accident, so I have to take it very slowly. I figure if I start out slow in the exercise, I'll get more & more used to it & not burn out quickly like I've done in the past. So if walking for a couple months before moving up to jogging is what it takes, so be it!

Have you ever considered water aerobics? I did them prior to my accident & they are awesome!!!

I've given up on weight loss and am pursueing healthy eating, and exercise and weight lifting :)

The weight will come off, if I can do those three things :)

Well I'm keeping my calories daily under 2200 (Which is about half of what I used to eat) and try to excersize three times a week. By doing this I've lost 25lbs in 3 months. Good luck!

Agree with hk... it's more about being healthy for me.

I stay around 1400 during the week (and try to be good on weekends). Plus I exercise and lift weights at least 3x a week.

I workout 4 times a week: between 50-60 minutes each trip, but its eating that I am having a hard time with.  I love food, especially the fatty, fat, fat stuff. 

I have been changing the way I eat for a few years now.  First I gave up soda. Then I gave up caffeine.  Then I began to cut down on processed foods.  Then I made an effort to increase my veggies and fruits. Then I started counting calories.  Then I started to shift away from beef and pork toward more seafood and fish.  That's kind of where I am now.  And on the advice of coachdee, I am shooting for a varied calorie plan of 1400 for 2 days, 1700 for 2 days, 2000 for 1 day, 1500 for 2 days.  I am just starting this though, and it seems as though I will need to do some planning to get the hang of it.

Exercise - same story.  I did nuthink!  But am gradually increasing activity.  Have gone from couch potato-hood to a 30 minute walk 3 times a week to 2 20 minute walks every day.  Also adding in water aerobics once or twice a week. And some strength or stretching every day.

I've done a lot of little things, implemented over time.

• I am eating between 1500-1800 calories/day. Usually I'm about 1600. Maintenance for me at my current weight is 2200. I still eat some sweets -- today I had a chocolate-filled croissant for breakfast -- but I build the calories for the sweets into my day. Maintenance for the weight I should be is 1800, so I do not want to go over 1800. As someone else said, I might as well get used to living at that level of intake.
  
• I build a little extra exercise into my day. I walk 60 minutes a week, just between the subway station and my car. Six minutes one way, twelve minutes a day, 60 minutes a week. After I got used to that ....
  
• I started walking the distance between the subway stop and my workplace once a week. I usually do this on the way home. After I got used to that, I started doing it twice a week, and after I got used to that....
  
• I started taking a different train which gets me to my destination a little sooner, but requires a two-block walk to where I need to be.
  
• Just this week, I've starting using the restroom one floor below mine once a day. 22 steps/day to climb up, 110 steps/week I wouldn't otherwise walk.
  
• I drink a lot more water than I used to, and walk to the restroom more than I used to as a result! :-D
  
• I switched from mayo to mustard on my turkey and cheese sandwiches. Not at first... but when I was ready to make that one small change, I made it and don't mind having done so. It's a little thing, after all.
  
• I am working out some now. I rather doubt this will be a lifestyle change for me, as I'm just not a workout kind of gal, but for now, to up my metabolism some, I will do it.

So those are some of the little steps I've taken. I started April 28. So far, so good!

I'm trying to be healthier overall, mostly to improve my cholesterol level, help my boyfriend with his congestive heart problems, and lose weight/be more active. 

Over time, I've given up soda (pop, for you native Midwesterners :D) and the fattiest meats (beef, pork, etc.) and cheeses.  I'm eating more fish for omegas and more "good" fats as opposed to bad fats; overall, I'm eating way fewer fats and more lean protein and non-white sugar or white-flour carbs. 

As of now, I eat @1500 calories a day, under 2000mg of sodium, and shoot for 25mg of protein a day.  I started out not exercising but have been walking for almost 2 months now and am up to 45 minutes a day 4x a week.  I also--thanks to this site and a challenge (don't think I'm forgetting this one, HK . . . *evil grin*)--started doing some abs work 2-3 times a week for about 10-15 minutes. 

I've lost 37.5 pounds so far, and see the above as lifestyle changes.  I'm in it for the long haul.  I'll likely change my exercising again, but who knows?  I'd like, eventually, to be a healthier weight and BMI, and think as others have mentioned that doing some new behaviors and developing better habits will facilitate this.

Welcome aboard, and GOOD LUCK! 

When I started I was going to eat 2500 a day and then thought "Well a 2000 calorie diet" and now I eat between 1100 and 1800, most days closer to 1500 which is my average most weeks. Which for the most part I get in two meals.

I am also walking at least 2.5 miles a day. It is enough to get my system going though not enough to build to much muscle. I am not going to add lifting or running until after I hit my goal or until I hit a dead plateau.

After I reach my goal my plan is to work on building some abs and upper body, my legs are close to perfect now.

As for eating healthy, my problem wasn't so much eating unhealthy but eat just so much it was unhealthy, I am not sure that will ever be cured and I will have to watch like a hawk most of the time after I hit goal. Still 54 down and 46 to go ain't shabby.

I started by quitting smoking.  From there I decided to start eating better.  Gave up pop/soda.  Found this site and started keeping track of calories.  Just started walking at work on all three of my breaks...60 minutes each day total.  After work, I spend 30-45 minutes working out at home either on various exercise equipment or with a dvd.  I have given up fast food, except for my Friday night Subway sandwich.  I really try to drink a lot of water, but fall short of my goal pretty much every day.  I eat between 1200-1500 calories a day. 

For the first two weeks, I cleansed my body.  I did away with
refined sugar and carbs, red meat, and fast food.  I ate only
fish, egg whites, fruits, and vegetables.  On the third week, I
incorporated whole grains and chicken.  Each week, I would
incorporate 1-2 healthy items on my food list.  I drinks a gallon
of water everyday, nothing else.  I exercise 6 times per
week.  Each workout session is about 50-70 minutes long.  I
rarely eat out.  I either cook my own meals or buy healthy frozen
dinners.  I eat 2-3 fruits a day (I hate vegetables!).  I
consume around 1200-1300 calories per day.  However, once I reach
maintenance, I'm going to increase it to 1400-1500 and only work out 4
days per week (2 cardio, 1 yoga, 1 weights).  I allow myself a
treat every Sunday night to avoid the urge to binge.  And I weigh
myself one time per week.  

I've made up my mind to do this slowly and keep the weight off forever.  My goal date is April 8, 2008, my 66th birthday. 

I'm using the tools here to plan my menus.  As I plan, I keep checking my analysis to make sure it's all in balance and that I'm getting enough fiber and not too much sodium and cholesterol.  I use the food grades to help me make decisions.

I've just started an exercise class, 3 times a week.  I have medical issues and was nearly bedridden for the first quarter of this year.  I lost weight anyway, just slower than most people.  I'm nearly 20 pounds down now with 60 more to go.

my action plan began the end of last year - it sort of evolved as i began to feel better. first i decided to try to minimize the sugar highs/lows (some of you read a few days ago that my mother died from a diabetic-related heart attack), the zone diet helped me do and learn about that.
then i began jazzercising 3 x week.
that morphed into giving up soda one month, potatoes the next month, changing my breads to whole grain and keeping it to once a day - this was one of the biggest for me.
then i found this site and have begun to understand so much about calories/exercise and how they affect us. i plan to increase exercise to 4x week and am gradually learning to eat healthy snacks and lighter meals (still a challenge0
thanks for letting me sort that out! hope your action plan feels as good for you!!!!

hmmm lets see I have about 1500 cals per day and usually one maintenance day on the weekend (2000 cals)  I try to go to the gym 3 times a week and do a mixture of cardio(elliptical, treadmill, stairmaster) and weight training(alternating arms, legs, and core days)  I also starting walking my dogs with my friends 3 times a week for about an hour.  I gave up all caffinated, sugar added beverages, replaced with water, an herbal tea, and maybe a glass of orange juice in the morning.

Good Luck!

M calorie target is around 1800 calories a day. Things I've done include cutting back on the fat, upping the protein, eating less often and cutting down on the size of my snacks (my snacks are now around 200 calories, not 300). Not being afraid to get a bit hungry.

My exercise of choice is walking - I walk 45 minutes most days. It's not too vigorous, but it goes on long enough to really make a difference.

I would like to lose 10 lbs in 1 month by my 10 year class reunion. Actually, I started this CC thing 1 month ago, but fell off the wagon and gained a bit.  But I'm really focused on losing minimum 2 lbs per week to get most of the way there.  I'm doing it by:

• Keeping my calorie deficit around 400 calories by eating 1600 calories on running days, and 1200 when I don't run.
• Avoiding sugars in sources other than vegetables and fruits.  I'm staying away from white breads and sugars, and limiting my fruit intake, while increasing veggie intake.  My body just lovest to store those carbs!  I'm not going to see fruits as evil, but I think I need to keep them to a minimum.  I've replaced my breakfast fruit with protein-filled scrambled egg beaters.
  
• I will exercise every day.  I plan to do my more intense running on Monday/Wednesday/Friday, and the other days either lift weights or walk, or do a pilates dvd.
• I'm going to do these things on WEEKENDS too!  Novel concept!
  

My big goal is to reach my goal weight by June 2007, which is both my son's 14th birthday, and the summer of my 20th class reunion. If I maintain a rate of about 1.89 pounds per week I should make it.

I've done a number of things. I've given up the soda pop, as well as all caffiene. I no longer use white flour (or very rarely), cut way back on the refined sugars, eliminated transfats and high fructose corn syrup. I eat about 1600 or so calories a day, sometimes a bit higher, making sure to get as much fiber as possible, usually about 30 or so grams. 

I walk during my 15 minute breaks at work. I also try to take extra steps during the day when I can. I ride bike after work and on days off. 

I only eat meat a couple times a week, never more than one meal a day, usually. I have lots of fresh produce and try to eat only real unproccessed food. I do eat some,  but not very much.

I try to keep my sodium under 2000 (I'm not always successful, but it's what I aim for),  and never more than 50 grams of fat (no more than 10 saturated). Usually my fat is also around 30 or 40 grams.  I also try to eat about 6 - 8 ounces of fish a week.

I drink about 2.5 - 4 liters of water a day.

I allow myself to have one or two days a month where I go up as high as 1800 or so calories a day, just to remind my body that it is not having a famine.

My goal is to be healthy more than anything else.  I figure if I'm eating healthy food and increase my activity, the weight will come off.  I have done a number of yo-yo diets but have in the past few months really come to the realization that I am a food-a-holic.  I like to blame other people for my food issues, but the reality is it's all me!!  After a week in bed for a pinched siatic nerve, I know that I can not go through that pain again and think it is much less likely if I lose the weight and do the activity needed to strengthen my body.

I am drinking 60-80 oz water daily and will eventually work up to 100 oz.  I am eating breakfast every day.  We travel and stay in hotels (alot) so I currently am eating a lot of Subway (because it's easy) to try and get my veggies in.  I am also eating fruit as a snack vs something with carbs.  My calorie range has been 1400-1700 so far.  I am logging all my food and activity-haven't started with the journal yet, but think that may be key.  I am walking Max (my Yorkie) around the hotel when I take him out vs just out the door and back.  I am going to start with back stretches this week and increase the walking time day by day.  One meal on the weekend, I will eat what I want to reduce the cravings.

And, I will continue to come here to read the great tips/motivation from the people that have gone before me.

I've educated myself and starting practicing what I have learned. I've posted a lot of really great information and resources in this thread:

http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/8532 .html