The Number One Thing I Did To Lose More Than 50 Pounds

"I started measuring out portions so that I could get a better understanding of what a serving size looked like. I measured everything: olive oil, peanut butter, oatmeal, wine, chocolate peanut butter ice cream, and almonds. I realized that it takes a lot less food to feel satisfied than I thought. After doing it regularly, I was able to eyeball it and keep portions in check. Now that I know what a serving looks like, I eat slower and pay more attention to my hunger cues."
–Liz Della Croce, 35, Grand Rapids, MI, author of The Lemon Bowl, lost 65 pounds

"The biggest change was adding an extra cup or more of non-starchy vegetables to my meals to bulk them up. I add spinach and broccoli to pasta, throw spiralized beets onto a fresh baked potato, and add roasted cauliflower to macaroni and cheese. If you use your veggies properly, you actually get to eat more—not less!"
–Kelly Guy, 39, Denver, author of No Thanks to Cake, lost 60 pounds

"I started eating small meals every 3 hours, at least 5 times a day. I choose a lean protein, complex carb, and veggie at each meal. That's radically different from before, when I went out to eat a few times a day and lived on fast food. Before, breakfast might be a fast-food breakfast taco. Now, I'll have scrambled egg whites with fresh spinach and Ezekiel bread. Lunch would have been a cheeseburger with tater tots. Today, it's my third meal of the day and might be turkey tacos on corn tortillas. I focused on this being a lifestyle change, not a diet."
–Kelsey Byers, 34, Houston, author of Good Morning Fitness, lost 50 pounds

MORE: 15 Teeny Tiny Changes To Lose Weight Faster

"Before, I moved as little as possible. When I did laundry, I sat down and watched TV. I'd let things pile up before I'd make a trip up or down the stairs. When I tried to make myself more active, I had to get creative because I couldn't always be at the gym. When I'd fold clothes, I'd put the basket on the floor and stand up. Then for every article of clothing, I'd do a squat. One day, after 3 loads of laundry, I had done 124 squats! I also make as many trips as possible up and down the stairs. I have way more energy now."
–Poppy Niosi, 42, Madison, WI, of Spirit & Fire Training, lost 77 pounds

"I drank 3 to 4 diet sodas a day and also sipped heavily sweetened hot tea and coffee. I did not like water, so it was a huge change when I decided to make the switch. At first, I switched to carbonated, flavored water because I missed the bubbles, and plain water tasted gross. Then, I started putting a slice of lemon, orange, or strawberry in regular water for some sweetness. This transition took about a year. Now, I carry a reusable bottle filled with water around with me everywhere I go and make sure I have a glass of water wherever I am. Using MyFitnessPal and FitBit, plus setting cell phone reminders helps me make sure I get in my eight glasses a day."
–Angela Hartshorn, 43, San Marcos, CA, lost 60 pounds

"I take 2 or 3 hours on Sundays to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the work week. That way, I don't have to think about what I'm going to eat, and I know it's going to be healthy. I'll make a pan of chicken and shred some for a salad, a wrap, or add some BBQ sauce. I'll make zucchini cranberry muffins for snacks. And I prep egg muffins with veggies for breakfast. If I know I'll be gone one day I'll bring my meals to avoid eating out, like getting chicken wings with fried rice from the Chinese takeout place, which was my previous go-to. It's healthier and I save money!" (Here are 7 indispensable meal-prep secrets you need to know.)
–Tanisha Shanee, 31, Brooklyn, lost 150 pounds

"When my doctor told me I was dangerously obese, my first small step was to get off my couch and start walking. At first, I could barely make it to the mailbox. After losing some weight, I was pushing myself to the limit at the gym every time I exercised, but nothing changed. Then I started to wear a heart rate monitor when I worked out. I learned about my heart rate zones, and where I needed to be to burn fat. I could work out smarter and I started seeing results again. I wear my heart rate monitor every time I work out, which is now four to six times per week."  
–Missi Wolf, 50, Atlanta, lost 100 pounds

"I found myself stuck in old negative patterns, which included a lack of self-worth and not taking responsibility for my happiness and my feelings. My thoughts were if I was just that weight or if I just looked like that or if I just acted like that, I would be happy. I know this approach isn't for everyone, but when I made the decision to be happy regardless of all that, things changed. I started giving myself little pep talks throughout the day, telling myself things like 'Whatever I want to be, do, and have, I can.' The moment I realized that it was time I took 100% responsibility for my life, my perspective on my health and weight loss all changed."
–Kristin Jones, 24, Grand Rapids, MI, author of the blog and e-book Everything's Always Sunny, lost 53 pounds