[beckyinvb]

Based on your personal experience with your weight loss now or in the past, what are 5 things that have worked successfully for you? I'm still struggling, but here are a few things I've picked up on:

1-Keep a food journal of everything you eat (each piece of candy!). Keep the journal when you're losing weight as well as when you're maintaining. If you start to gain weight, you can reference back to what you were eating when you were maintaining. I have a form I created in Excel that includes date, weight, b-fast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and exercise. I would also note if I took Phen, and what time I took it. I pasted these in a journal book, and I also had a few pictures of myself at that particular weight.
2-Exercise! For me to lose weight, I have to do a cardio workout at least 45 minutes at least 5 times a week. I also need to do some weight training, which I get at Curves.
3-Strict diets don't work for me. I hate to cook, so measuring foods other than cereal just isn't an option. I do better cutting back of the foods I love rather than eliminating them and creating cravings for myself.
4-Water...drink lots of water throughout the day. I do alternate with diet drinks--always caffine free.
5-Weigh myself every day and measure myself every other month. I know many people don't recommend weighing every day, but for me it's key. When I reach my goal weight, I need to stay within a range of 5 lbs. If I get to the high end of that range, I need to start cutting back immediately. Getting lax about the scale is how I start slipping back into bad habits.

This is my 4th cycle of losing weight as an adult. Hopefully, if I keep reiterating these things to myself it will sink in and be the last time.

What other tips to you guys have for being successful?