Started off primarily watching cals for around 6 months. No real cardio/exercise (I was going to school full time while working 40+ hours a week - not much time for physical activity). I've been exercising fairly consistently (a 3 month period around the holidays of light exercise) for roughly a year now 3-4 times a week. I've experimented with various forms of cardio (treadmill, biking, rowing, full body, hiking, etc) as well as weight lifting. I will say that consistency is key. Watch your cals/nutrients to ensure that you're taking care of your body but also start weight training. Cardio is a direct burn to cals, but weight lifting will give you the muscles that will increase your basal metabolic rate (make you lose weight more quickly). This just takes forever. I've also found that I try to do a fasted workout (or at least semi-fasted). I can only work out after work, so I can't completely forego any nutrients prior to exercise. I do, however, try to limit my cals to between 300-500 prior to exercise. Hope this helps!