It's taken me 3 years to lose 54lbs. 2 years on my own, 1 with MFP. Part of the problem was hypothyroidism, which I now have under control with medication. It really is a lifestyle change. Develop healthy habits and you'll get there.

Sept 2008: 220lb



June 2012: 161lb

<3

I've lost about 40lbs in 6 months. First 2-3 I only lost about 12, but the the last 3 it kicked into gear. I definitely could do better (I've stalled out now) but I enjoy life and still do things I want to do, not need to do.

this is a awesome saying!!

Total it took about 5 years. I started in may 2007 at 268, worked out and weighed in once a month, in ten months lost 70 pounds. Thought that was enough so I pretty much stayed there for the next 2.5 years, then I gained 26 back. Feb 2011 I restatred by tracking what I ate, I learned that my setting were too low because I lost weight fast so I upped my cals. I lost 65 pounds in 5 months and have pretty much kept it off for the last year. I am kind of an anomoly because I eat a ton and can still lose if I want. Good luck

I've lost 41lbs in 6 months. At first I lost quite a bit but then it slowed down to not losing at all for 2-3 weeks then I'd suddenly drop 2 or 3lbs. I'm not sure why that happens but it does quite often. I no longer get depressed if I'm not losing lbs since I know I'm still working steadily towards my goals. You may not see results on the scale but you will def. see them in other ways, like measurements, clothing, being able to do more things physically, etc. For instance, I hadn't been to a water aerobics class since May, I went back on Monday and everyone was saying, wow youre so skinny! The attention was kind of embarrassing but I was glad that someone noticed my efforts! I've only lost about 3-4lbs since then but apparently I looked a LOT different. I'm assuming its because I have built muscle and lost fat so I look leaner without much movement on the scale.
I believe that this is a lifestyle, not a diet and that you have to do it slowly to get it right, learn everything and stick with it for LIFE. If you can't maintain after your loss, your efforts are for nothing.
If I can do this anyone can. I seriously mean that. If you or anyone else wants some motivation and support, send a friend request. I'd be happy to cheer you on. :)

So so sad. In such a high spirited environment always a negative Nancy to TRY to rain on someone's parade. I want to stoop down to your level but...you're not worth it.
I consume 1200 calories a day. Breastfeed. And exercise 6 times a week faithfully. HARD work and dedication. Once again thanks for your negativity. I would expect better from someone as aged as you. :-)

I've lost about 30lbs and I started in January. The first 15 came off very easily, but the more I lose the slower it seems to be coming off.

no, i generally lose quickly (due to low carb) but then i can't do maintenance. i will sustain it for a while, then get comfortable and stop counting. i have a problem with overeating, so i'm an all or nothing kinda girl.
moderation doesn't work for me so i need to find a fine line between low carb and counting cals (once at goal weight) maintenance always kills me.. but i know what my weakness is, so that's good.

2 1/2 years and still going

So so sad. In such a high spirited environment always a negative Nancy to TRY to rain on someone's parade. I want to stoop down to your level but...you're not worth it.
I consume 1200 calories a day. Breastfeed. And exercise 6 times a week faithfully. HARD work and dedication. Once again thanks for your negativity. I would expect better from someone as aged as you. :-)

I pretty much have had an awful time of it! Luckily, I'm comfortable anywhere under 150, so most of my troubles have happened with me being pretty okay with that weight. Anyways, I started at 174 last July, I was down to like 155 by like October, went on birth control and literally only lost 5 pounds in 4 months, so that puts me starting the new year around 150. By about the beginning of June I was down to nearly 140, but then my body freaked out and now I'm 147. I think I want to lose about 10 lb from this point, but I won't cry if I just stay at this weight.

I've lost 40.8lbs in the past 10.5 months. (13lbs to go till goal) I've been stuck between 141 and 144 for the past 2 or 3 months. I'm 142.2lbs just now. :)

I dropped ten pounds like nothing my first month and now I've been stalling. But I'm made huge progress with both my fitness and eating habits. Whereas before I would struggle to run for just a minute, I can breeze through ten minutes without stopping to walk and it only gets better. Plus, I just find I crave healthier foods now (although when I hit 20 lbs lost I am definitely treating myself to a big bloody steak).

did not appear overnight; will not disappear overnight. That being said, by concerted effort, I have managed to maintain a fairly good rate of loss; just have to maintain good nutritional background and not try to lose too fast; especially at the end.

Lost about 30 pounds in about a year. Like most I agree slower is better. Its about making a realistic lifestyle change that you can stick too once you have left the website, not just a short term diet plan to lose the weight.

I went for 3 months without losing anything then I upped my workouts and saw some weight loss but stalled. I joined MFP and realized I needed to eat more- which I did and I have continued to try and up my workouts as possible. I've lost 20 pounds and it feels like it's taken forever but I guess slow and steady is my style.

Next month I will be at my 1 year mark and about 50lbs so far :) Its coming off slowly just like the way it showed up!

It took me 3 long years to lose those kilos, no thanks to PCOS & diabetes.

Anyway you can read my success story here that I wrote last year (I need to update this soon)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo/view/from-flab-to-fab-144566

I appreciate everyone's honesty. This thread is helpful in knowing that not everyone loses 25 lbs per month (I wish!) and some lose .5 a lb a month but a loss is a loss and it's great and to keep going!

There are so many factors as well, diabetes, thyroid, pcos/hormonal stuff, pregnancy, birth control, you name it that affects the speed.

I truly think I am a winner this time, I don't feel as defeated as before (usual) and giving up like I normally do. I realize it is what it is and I just keep working out and eating well and I know that I look and feel better no matter how fast/slow it decides to take in coming off.

Yeaaaaars, but if its any consolation I'm keeping it off and really dont see it going back on .... so the longer it takes I think the more chance there is of long term success

January I decided to take back control of my life and my weight. I would say slow is relative. I have been putting on a few pound here and there for the past 15 years between pregnancies not working out and just be sloppy with my eating. Since January I have lost 28 lbs (my ticker is a little different cuz I didn't change my start weight). I have stalled a few times but have tweaked my macros and now I work hard to get enough protein to balance my love for carbs. I work out twice a day. Building muscle is my newest goal and it has me reconsidering my ultimate goal weight. So have I lost weight fast...in relation to how I put it on yes, in overall time since starting to focus, no. Good luck with your weight loss. Its all about lifestyle. If it doesn't fit in your lifestyle then something has to change. Give and tie is the key.

9 lbs in about 2.5 months. I have had all sorts of weird things happen, though I am averaging a little under my goal of 1 lb per week. For example, I once completely overate for a week, and didn't gain any weight as a result. I think because I was still eating reasonably healthy things, so I was around maintenance. Another time (i.e. now), the scale crept up 1 lb a week for two weeks even though I was under my target. Then, all of a sudden, I lost 2.4 lb overnight to reach a new low. Probably due to a combination of humidity and messed up exercise schedule.

Basically, weight loss takes a while and you'll see all sorts of weird things as its happening, but you'll get there, and, if you do it right, you'll be healthier for it.

I lost 23 pounds in 8 months (from June 2011 to February 2012)....and have stood still/gained back 5 pounds from February to now.

And actually I'm OK with that - I have gained back some weight, I have not eaten as healthily as I could/should, but I have continued working out.

I hope to get back on the wagon at some point in the future, but for now I'm measuring my success not in weight lost, but training sessions completed and progress in other areas (more push-ups, longer/more intense cycling sessions, faster 5k runs etc.)

P.S. - And then I keep telling myself, that all the kilos I want to lose crept on over a period of 8-16 years (depending on how I want to define the milestones), If I get to the weight I want to get to over a period of 2-5 years I've still shed the weight quite a lot faster than I gained it.

Thank you so much for saying this. That's just the motivation I needed to keep going!