How to loose weight and keep it off

I think the problem for me is that I have a lot of bad habits. I would have to work really hard to get where you are. I tend to want to jump into the car and drive everywhere, even to the park; although it's a 3 minute walk away! I also smoke, drink coffee 2 to 3 times a day, drink pop and the list goes on. I just don't know how to stop most of that and I know I am not ready to; (I know that it will take a little bit of will power). I am now trying to eat healthy, however every time I am out I have to stop at a fast food restaurant and purchase my favorite burger or combo. I think you have a really great lifestyle, and you seem to have gotten everything down to a science. However, it would probably take me a year to achieve half of what you've achieved. Nonetheless, I am going to stay positive and keep working at it. Thanks, that was great advice.

Everyone is different... It took me about 8 months to lose my weight. I've made a lifestyle change and that can't be done over night for most. I somehow got lucky i guess or maybe its just the way i did it? Because I actually didn't start off dieting or anything like that... I wasn't trying to lose weight because i had so many times in the past and failed. But I started walking my dog a lot more because HE was getting fat and i want him to be healthy so i knew i had to walk him more but i ended up losing weight myself and so then i started eating better and lost even more weight and then i started doing other exercises and now am where i am now..Skinny!.. (it is very weird for me to say that lol) I've been big since i was like 9 and I'm 20 years old now. Thats 11 years of my life of being fat. So don't worry.. I've been on as you could say the "same-road" :P but i've been/was in your shoes at one time. I drink coffee in the morning but I use sweet & low. you get used to the taste after a while lol but i also mix in real sugar and sometimes i use just all real sugar. So it's not like you have to give that stuff "up" just cut back on the sugar some how and that will help. You are on a good start and staying positive is the best thing! and remember, you can't do it all at once. Just take baby steps and get support from family or a friend if you can. They say having support works better... They have a lot of online forums and stuff you could join too. Oh and really try and stay away from the fast food or at least don't eat it often, ya know? if you have it more then 4-5 times a week that is too much. try only having it maybe 1-2 times tops Try making it yourself instead... It taste SO much better and its healthier! anyway, Good luck! and i wish the best to you.

Thanks for the tip. You are right, I do need to look at it as a lifestyle change and not as a diet. That is why I am making small changes instead of what I use to do, which is make dramatic changes within a matter of a week once I have decided that I am going to diet. Now I know that I was not being realistic, however I am serious this time around and I am ready to make time to work out, I need to stay motivated and so that I can integrate it into my daily life. That was really good advice. I know that's also something I need to work on.

Thank you Subeesh. I have not been swimming in years (5 years to be exact), however it was one of my most favorite hobbies. Moreover, I was my fittest when I was active, and a huge part of that activity was swimming. That was a great suggestion; I just need to make time for it. I think we live in a world where our mind immediately turns toward quick results, we don't want to have to work as hard to get the same results. I think that is where I am at right now. I will definitely try to make time for that again, because I do like to swim. Thanks for the advice.