Success stories in weight loss?

[NoNo]

-What was your main motivation in getting started?

I was fresh out of college and at my heaviest (155-160). I was miserable, and my parents were always quick to point out how fat/out of shape I was, even though they were the exact same way. I guess I wanted to prove I wasn't like them and could not only lose the weight, but keep it off.

-What was your main means of losing weight - did you join a program at a gym, followed by a doctor, join Weight Watchers,etc.?

I joined Weight Watchers, doing the online program. I liked it a lot as I felt it taught me how to actually cook healthy things, while still allowing me to occasionally indulge. The whole point system really made me think about what I was about to eat ("One Reese's cup is how many points?! Give me an apple!"). Of course, coming from college where I was eating tons of fast food, pizza, and ramen, just dropping that from my diet probably played a big part in the weight coming off.

-How did you determine your goal weight?

I think I looked at the chart for my height and picked a number in the middle. I've never hit that number, but I've stabilized about 5lbs above it. I've come to realize my body probably just can't hit that number without an unrealistic amount of exercise and really strict eating habits.

-How long have you kept it off?

I joined WW 6 years ago roughly this week. It was my New Year's resolution The first 25lbs dropped pretty quickly and without exercising at all. I held that weight for about a year and then I started to tinker with exercising. I could never stick with anything until I started cycling 3 years ago. That's when I realized gyms weren't for me and I was an outdoors girl. Now I'm biking, hiking, kayaking, and throwing in the occasional workout video. I like to exercise now!

-Any tips for keeping it off?

As a few others have said, it can't be thought of as a "diet". It has to be "This is how my life is going to be from now on." To me, a diet implies something short-term, that you just go back to your old habits after it's over. But you also have to want it. I laughed when my boss said his family was doing their annual weight loss challenge. That shouldn't be the reason you lose weight. It should be because you want a healthier life, because you want to live longer and better.

Other things:
-Find exercises you really like (and if you're on this site you've probably already done that).
-Don't stress or consider it "failing" if you have a cookie or a piece of cake or a drink. That's called life. You just have to make that the exception rather than the rule.
-I still measure out as many foods as I can so I know I'm eating a "portion".
-I keep lots of fruit and sometimes yogurt or cottage cheese at my desk so that I'm not tempted to wander around the building and eat crap.
-Variety. A few years ago I noticed I was eating "safe" foods, things I didn't have to think about the calorie or fat content because I'd been eating it for so long. I didn't enjoy eating anymore. I've since started eating pretty much whatever I want, but still healthy foods, and making a point to try out new things (I had radishes for the first time last week!). Much to my amazement, I didn't gain weight and was much happier.