I am 5'7" and weigh 110 lbs.
I took a nutrition class in school that gave me so much knowledge on healthy eating that I now look at all food as either healthy or unhealthy. I tell myself my body is my temple and I should worship it. I am 44 yrs. old and I love all the completes I get from my teenage daughters friends and my own daughters tell me how proud they are that I always look good and don't embarrass them. I feel that I have to be a good role my for my children because when I look around I usually see most kids developing the same eating habits as their parents. I take my job very seriously.

Even tho im not that old, I eat a ton, and i mean a ton, and the way i stay in shape is conditioning, working out, running the bleachers, and swim team, lax, anything i can do, otherwise, i would be a big fat lard

At the USDA website (www.usda.gov), there is a "My Pyramid Tracker" feature. With a database of tens of thousands of foods, it is a simple way to log the foods you eat each day, along with physical activity. You can even view your consumption and fitness trends over time. I see how just being aware of what I am eating has caused my fat and calorie consumption to plummet, while my fiber, fruits and veg have increased tremendously.

I keep a daily journal of my weight, my workouts (3-4 cardio workouts a week, alternating with 3-4 strength workouts a week), and meals. Breakfast is crucial, snacking should be minimal and with a journal, I like to review my progress/consistency over time.

I am 10 pounds lighter than I was in my twenties and I am approaching the anniversary of 6 decades! My secrets?
First and foremost, lace up the tennis shoes and start walking! I like to put on the headset, tuned to my favorite talk radio station and head out for a 2 mile loop.
Secondly, don't think DIET - it is so demoralizing a word. Think of food as good, necessary and fuel for your body. Third, don't think of yourself as BAD because you enjoy a dessert or second helping! Just continue eating moderately at the next meal! As my exercise instructor said, "If you had a flat tire would you change it and keep going or slash the other three?

I drink A LOT of coffee during the day (with milk so its more 'filling') it curbs the appetite and keeps me rollin! And I never eat after 7pm. I switch to water at night (flavored or plain) and will allow myself applesauce or fat free pudding (occasionally cereal) if I'm hungry after walking the dog for 1-2 hours. Basically, I just try not to eat solid food! Doesn't work for everyone but I feel great and love that I'm back down to what I weighed at 18.

Stay with weight watchers and move more

I have been to Asia many times and always loose weight while I am there. One thing I notice while eating in Japan, for example, you are served small portions of many things in "seperate" bowls/dishes. It is just enough to feel full and the seperate, small dishes help with portion control. I follow this at home now and it helps tremendously with keeping the weight off and I never feel "over" full. My large dinner plates rarely get used anymore!

I've found that successful weight loss requires a comprehensive, aggressive approach that includes constantly educating myself about calorie counts, fitness tips and other healthy strategies such as portion control, increased water intake, etc. The key is a constant awareness of the impact of my food and fitness choices.

five words:

bryers fat free ice cream!!

seriously. cut the fat and eat foods like oranges or yoghurt that make you feel full on very few calories.

like bryers fat free ice cream!!!

I have been following a healthy way of eating with Weight Watchers, I enjoy lots of veggies, fruit, fiber and grains. As a life time member I attend weekly sessions and our leader is so motivating, I lost 58 lbs have been at goal weight for 3 years. I also do free weights, 2 times a week and intense cardio workout on the elliptical 4-5 days a week and walk on Sundays with friends. This sounds like alot but I do it as my daily schedule. I am 64 years old and soon to be 65. My doctor told me that excercise is a fountain of youth and I feel great......

It's not willpower or fad diets or magic pills. Once I truly made the DECISION not to be overweight anymore and changed my lifestyle, I lost 30 pounds and 3 dress sizes. I've kept it off for 2 years now and plan to keep it off forever. A "diet" is temporary - you have to make changes that you can stick to for the rest of your life, like committing to an exercise regimen. That made all the difference for me, in addition to eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and less prepared foods.

Dear Real Simple
this is my story and I am thoroughly disgusted with all of the mis information that this country is still buying into about food. We have become a nation of gluttons. I lost 65 lbs 6 years ago and WILL keep it off, forever.
Please read my story.....I need to help those who are still confused.
www.angelinternetwork.com

When I indulge I make sure I enjoy and savor it. If I overeat one day, I take it easy for the next couple of days to make sure a pound or two doesn't sneak on. I look for food bargins; things that taste yummy but don't have a lot of calories and make those staples of my diet. And finally, I eat a single piece of Dove dark chocolate every day after lunch so I never feel deprived. (It's just 35 calorlies of pure heaven and since they come packaged individually it's easy to control portions.)

I quit eating bread, rice, pasta, potatoes and most sweets a year ago and dropped about 25 pounds (mostly from around my waist) within four months; exercise has helped me drop five more (plus two more clothing sizes). I still indulge in sweets on special occasions, but I don't miss those other carbs at all! I am never hungry and I feel better mentally and physically than I ever have.

I JOINED THE YMCA AND SEE OLDER LADIES WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE SWIMMING AEROBATICS CLASS FOR 10 AND 15 YEARS. SOME HAVE HAD HIP REPLACEMENTS AND FIND SWIMMING THE WAY FOR THEIR EXERCISE. THEY ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ME!

I go for a 10-15 minute morning walk every day with my neighbour; knowing that the other person is depending on you is a great motivator not to be lazy, and it's a wonderful wake up!