Almost everyone quits losing weight
Replies
-
Anyone can lose weight. The failure rate is in keeping it off. I don't remember the percentage, but the recidivism rate is high within a year of reaching a goal.0
-
I quit losing weight when I just stopped losing anymore. I'm eating and exercising the same, and have bottomed out at 155 pounds or so, after losing around 260 pounds or so.
So even successful weight loss ends when the losing stops!
Frank0 -
I just started for real and in all seriousness this last October 3rd. The last 20 years have been a slow and steady increase in mass and decrease in mobility. An injury from 2005 was my excuse for a really long time that I couldn't move well. So I would start and quit over and over, I was my own worst enemy. What changed? I simply made a decision to be serious and took advantage of a work sponsored program that preaches a high degree of accountability. The thought of continuing to grow fatter as I grow older was depressing. I could see my future in a scooter and I thought I don't have to live with that. So I changed it and committed to one new habit (logging on MFP) and used all the years of food fails, successes, nutrition pointers, calories in/out, but most of all common sense to keep me on track. Am I different? No, I'm just like everyone else who has struggled with a vice in their life and has committed to a serious change for the better. Why do others quit? That is something the individual must determine. Or as the philosopher Santayana, observed, "He who does not remember the past is condemned to repeat it." I also believe in moving on, so take your knowledge and make it powerful in your choices!
0 -
I quit losing weight when I just stopped losing anymore. I'm eating and exercising the same, and have bottomed out at 155 pounds or so, after losing around 260 pounds or so.
So even successful weight loss ends when the losing stops!
Frank
WOW! That is amazing! Good for you.
I lost 30 lbs. 20 years ago and I'll never put it back on. That's NOT to put down anyone who has gained their weight back. I just wanted to point out that not everyone fails at this. If you truly adopt a healthy lifestyle and enjoy it, it's impossible to go back to those bad habits.0 -
Roxiegirl2008 wrote: »I think this time I will stay with it because I was 100% ready to make the change. I really think that is key. I made logging my food and exercise a habit that now I cannot change sort of like brushing my teeth.
^^^ This, i have "tried" to lose weight in the past and i was successful for a few months here and there then got frusterated and went back to my old habits, i have the right support system this time and i am 100% ready and in the right mind set
0 -
I just started for real and in all seriousness this last October 3rd. The last 20 years have been a slow and steady increase in mass and decrease in mobility. An injury from 2005 was my excuse for a really long time that I couldn't move well. So I would start and quit over and over, I was my own worst enemy. What changed? I simply made a decision to be serious and took advantage of a work sponsored program that preaches a high degree of accountability. The thought of continuing to grow fatter as I grow older was depressing. I could see my future in a scooter and I thought I don't have to live with that. So I changed it and committed to one new habit (logging on MFP) and used all the years of food fails, successes, nutrition pointers, calories in/out, but most of all common sense to keep me on track. Am I different? No, I'm just like everyone else who has struggled with a vice in their life and has committed to a serious change for the better. Why do others quit? That is something the individual must determine. Or as the philosopher Santayana, observed, "He who does not remember the past is condemned to repeat it." I also believe in moving on, so take your knowledge and make it powerful in your choices!
Thanks. A great post.
0 -
I'm not doing something that can be 'quit.' I made changes and I have no desire to ever go back to the way I lived before I made them. My weight is only a tiny facet, yes I will stop calorie restricting once I reach the proper weight range for my body, but the number on the scale or in my clothing is not my focus whatsoever. I'm in this for life, I want to stay active so I can enjoy everything that comes my way. I like who I have become, I like how I feel and how I feel about myself.0
-
I think me starting at 345lbs will be an advantage. I know what it is like to be morbidly obese, and while I still am, I dream of the day I am not afraid, and in fact proud, of taking my shirt off in public.
I am almost at the 299 mark, weighed in this morning at 300.2. I know that as soon as the scale hits the 295 mark (to take into account the fluctuations) that I will never ever see a 3 as the leading number on a scale again. I know how much it sucks to be morbidly obese. Just being at 300 instead of 345 already my confidence level and self image is a lot higher than it was when I started, I can't image what it will be like once I get down to <230 mark.
And to quote one of my friends who used to be morbidly obese and is now a fit person who can run 10k easy, "I have been on both ends of the scale (literally). So I know what it is like to be obese, and I know what it is like to be fit. Being fit is so much better, Ill never go back to the way I was"
0 -
I have quit many times, but 2014 has been the healthiest year of my adult life despite all the set backs. Even if I quit for 2 months, I'd end up going back. Did it end the way I wanted it to? No. But I thought around this time last year that "It'll be different this time." and it was. They say on average it takes a smoker 11 quit attempts before he/she is able to quit for good. I think for most people it's the same with getting healthy.0
-
GuitarJerry wrote: »I think most people fail because they rely on motivation. Motivation is fleeing. In the end, those who make it, and keep it off, tend to be people that are disciplined. Discipline and habit tend to last a lifetime. Motivation comes and goes so quickly. No one is motivated to get up everyday at 4am and go to the gym, however, some people are disciplined enough to do it, even when it's the last thing in the world they want to do. It's really more of a habit and complete lifestyle change...and when I say lifestyle change, I mean a real one. Not just a change for a couple weeks. But, where you stick to it, basically, for the rest of your life.
I'm totally in agreement with this. I don't do what I do because I'm motivated. I do it because it's part of my routine and my every day life and because I know it is good for me. Like taking vitamins.
0 -
herrspoons wrote: »People fail because they see weight loss as a journey. It isn't, and it's actually pretty stupid to think of it as one, because it doesn't have an end destination. Sure, you may have a target weight to drop to, but then you have to maintain it, and that means not reverting to the habits that got you into this mess in the first place.
The people who succeed realise this. A little bit of thought is all it takes.
I've never had bad habits...unless maybe getting pregnant can be classed as one?
If people want to refer to it as a 'journey' does it matter? If it's something that takes a long time to reach, I'd have though good habits would be ingrained. It's more the quick fix diets that don't work and the whole 'diet' mindset.
0 -
For me, I found an exercise that I love (cycling) that allows me to eat all the foods and not worry to much. Hopefully I continue to love cycling. 15 months so far in maintenance/recomp mode.
Add 5 days a week in the gym and that makes this shiz easy!0 -
I've been maintaining for 3+ years. After a ton of trial & error, I know what works for me & what doesn't. What works:
Weigh myself once a week
Estimate calories & stay under 2,000/day
Workout 5-6 days a week (alternating days, weight training & cardio)
If my weight is up on Weigh In Wednesday, then I can usually pinpoint the reason why. Weekly weighing also helps to avoid the the "Holy **** how the hell did I gain 15 lbs!?!" scenario0 -
I lost 100lbs all together in 3 years, but most of the weight within 1st year. It is scary at times but like someone above said 'one day at the time' some days I am going above, some days I go lower.0
-
If you don't quit losing at some point, won't you disappear?0
-
joaniee2003 wrote: »I'm so scared I will lose motivation and quit or quit because I hate compliments from strangers.
Ok - what???
Anyways - I think a lot of people quit because they think it will be easy, they think they're going to wake up skinny one day and they don't realize it takes constant effort, day in and day out to get to your goals.
You aren't going to run a marathon after only 2 days of training (well, most people won't). You didn't gain the weight in a day, you won't lose it in a day either.
I am sticking with it because I want it. I have seen people finish 5Ks and lift their goal/PBs and I want that - I want it every. single. day. I think about it all the time and I want to see myself get there. You have to want it to stay with it. If you just want to be skinny, I don't think it's the same want as wanting to be fit or an athlete.
If you just want to lose weight to look skinny or be skinnier than others, I'm not saying it's the wrong reason, I'm just saying it's not the same mindset as those who do it with athletic or fitness goals in mind and then being thin just comes with the territory, usually.
It's different for everyone as to why they want to do it and why they stick to it, but for me I've stuck to it because, along with really truly wanting it, I am genetically predisposed to many weight-related health issues like diabetes and certain types of cancer, along with high blood pressure. I have a genetic abnormality where my blood will clot but it doesn't break down its own clots like other people's blood does. I have been on blood thinners since I was really young, but if I can get my weight under control, my medication dose won't be as heavy meaning my liver and kidneys don't have to process that much medication through my system. I will always be on blood thinners but with a healthier weight, the dose and frequency of testing can be changed which makes my life easier to manage, too.
Everyone has their reasons, but as long as you have your reasons (and not just to have a "thigh gap" - because well, that's genetics) I think you'll stay the course, you just have to want it bad enough to say no to all the other alternatives and distractions along the way
0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »Actually, for most people losing weight isn't the issue...maintaining the weight loss is. By and large, people talk a good talk about "lifestyle" change...but really, it's just words...most people never implement such a change.
I lost about 40 Lbs and I've maintained that loss for over 1.5 years and counting. I am very committed to nutrition and to my fitness. I'm a former athlete and once I got back into things I realized how much I missed it and how much I missed being fit and healthy. Also for me it was not so much about losing Lbs as it was reversing a bunch of bad blood work.
There's a high to losing. I felt no high trying to maintain. I'm back up about 20lbs and having a heck of a time losing.
I personally had no maintenance strategy and it shows.
0 -
smittybuilt19 wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »Actually, for most people losing weight isn't the issue...maintaining the weight loss is. By and large, people talk a good talk about "lifestyle" change...but really, it's just words...most people never implement such a change.
I lost about 40 Lbs and I've maintained that loss for over 1.5 years and counting. I am very committed to nutrition and to my fitness. I'm a former athlete and once I got back into things I realized how much I missed it and how much I missed being fit and healthy. Also for me it was not so much about losing Lbs as it was reversing a bunch of bad blood work.
There's a high to losing. I felt no high trying to maintain.
This is why I think it is important to keep setting goals for yourself even once in maintenance (faster 5k, bigger biceps, smaller waist, etc). That's what I did and it has seemed to work.
0 -
I had almost forgot about the constant compliments and reminders of how well I was doing losing weight. That also goes away during maintenance, except for a few random comments from folks who don't see you often.0
-
47Jacqueline wrote: »Anyone can lose weight. The failure rate is in keeping it off. I don't remember the percentage, but the recidivism rate is high within a year of reaching a goal.
And even higher at 5 years. Maintaining a loss for a year or two is pretty easy. I've done that many times.0 -
Keeping it off is the problem. I was morbidly obese when I found MFP 3/12/12.
I have been maintaining a "normal" weight for a little over a year now.
Everything I have read about this says that the odds of maintaining after 5 years are astronomically high against us doing this. A very small minority are successful at keeping the weight off. We all want this achievement, very few of us will be able to do this.
How many of us are actually in this category? It would be interesting to find out.
I am no different. I am very concerned about gaining all the 160+ pounds back. That is why I will continue to log and monitor myself for as long as I am able.0 -
I'm OK with not losing any more weight at some point. I'm not trying to vanish entirely.0
-
Because I did. I don't have a self-control or determination problem, which most that quit do. I always accomplish my goals. It has truly been a journey for me. I've learned a lot in the process and have truly changed my poor eating habits plus discovered life long healthy activities that I love.
0 -
I turned my Asperger's into my superpower. Since I'm prone to habitualizing things and obsessing about details, I made logging and exercising a part of that mindset. Keeping the 75 lbs off for the last two years says it's working so far.0
-
DeirdreWoodwardSanders wrote: »One day at a time.
/Thread
Annoys me when people expect to much in short time; you didn't gain the weight in a day, you won't lose it in a day.
0 -
GuitarJerry wrote: »I think most people fail because they rely on motivation. Motivation is fleeing. In the end, those who make it, and keep it off, tend to be people that are disciplined. Discipline and habit tend to last a lifetime. Motivation comes and goes so quickly. No one is motivated to get up everyday at 4am and go to the gym, however, some people are disciplined enough to do it, even when it's the last thing in the world they want to do. It's really more of a habit and complete lifestyle change...and when I say lifestyle change, I mean a real one. Not just a change for a couple weeks. But, where you stick to it, basically, for the rest of your life.
Love it! So true.
Discipline is the hardest thing to adopt if you don't naturally have it And habit, well if you do something for like 18 consecutive months it becomes a habit (or something like that, can't remember the time frame exactly)
0 -
I wanted to loose weight in 1995 for health reasons and so i did. A total of 66 pound. And aldo i wasn't lean or slim ( still 100 kilo's) i was happy and fit. I worked 14 hours a day with my horses. I trained, was teaching and did dancing. I was feeling good the way i was. Specially because it didn't bother me at all to be that weight and i could sport and work all day long 7 days a week. When i was doing body-robic i could do it for hours and hours. No problem at all. I maintained this weight for about 20 years and there was just a few pounds of fluctuation sometimes. Like going out and drink something or holidays etc. but it came down straight away to the 100 to 101 kilo again in days.
But after my knee surgery and back injury it all went wrong. Being always active and landing in a chair not able and allowed to walk for months made the pounds fly on. In total i went up to 260.1 pounds (117.1 kilo). My move to the US didn't help me either. All the new things/food. So much yummie things of course. And coming from everything homemade and i grew my own garden this was totally destroying my healthy eating habits.
After some bad days ( were i really thought that i would die) i thought this is it.
You better start getting back in line or you will die. I was short of breath. Heart rate and bp were much ...much to high. Blood sugar level was just like in 1995 idiot high again.
So i started my "new life" style ( i dont say diet because my believe is what i am doing is a life style). And "new" in brackets because i just do what i did in 1995.
Back to healthy eating as much as is possible.
My determination is only confirmed by every little victory/milestone in the last weeks.
( lost 49 pounds, BP is since a week back to normal, blood sugar has dropped again and i had to go shopping yesterday because i went from an XXXL to the size L, so clothes were really dropping of me). My sweet husband is supporting me in every way and cheering me on. Buys me clothes step counters, heart rate monitors bp monitor etc. He tries to help in his way. He told me he loves every inch of me, the weight doesn't interest him at all. He wants me to be happy and healthy. He does what he can, and eat the same way i do. ( lol and lost weight too without any excising btw) And he dont have to loose weight, so eats a bit more when i train in the gym
But i told him it doesn't bother me at all when you do when i am home. I am not hungry and have no gravings. We have all kinds of healthy snacks so when i want something i can grab a protein-bar, or fruit or radish whatever.
These victories make me respect myself more and smile at myself when i look in the mirror. It makes me feel strong. And i enjoy saying , no to offered diners, unhealthy food and gestures by other people. Yes i feel even proud that i can resist it so easily.
I get curves again A waist.
It makes me feel good and happy and when i walk the treadmill everyday it almost makes me jump up and down to get it done.
So quitting nope i wont, why should i? I feel better this way. Food is just nutrition to stay and be alive. Not to satisfy my feelings. Happiness comes from inside and feeling good too. Food is only the fuel i need to do the things i do and want to be. Not to satisfy me.
Maintaining...well i know i can because i did it before for almost 20 years without a problem. That's why i say this is my new life style and not a diet. This is my eating pattern that i have and develop to get the weight i want and stick to that weight.
Now this is how i do it. This doesn't mean it works for anybody else. I only know that when you start respecting, and loving yourself for whatever you are, that it makes it damm easy.
Feeling good is like a drug. And my goal is not losing all that weight. My goals i being as healthy as i can be and feel good, fit, healthy and proud at myself.
And i can ensure you it feels great!
So why should i quite?
( sorry for my baby English and grammar its not my native language)0 -
I also think that our bodies are continually doing things that will put weight on. So even if someone achieves really healthy habits, they might gain weight as they get older and their metabolism slows down, or, for women, after menopause. The middle age spread hits a lot of people who were accustomed to being healthy and fit through their younger years. In that way, it's not quite like brushing your teeth; you actually do have to actively re-evaluate your goals and tactics every so often.
But most people who go back to gaining weight after a loss do it because they saw the weight loss as temporary, and did things that were unsustainable to achieve it. If it's a "diet" then it psychologically has an end date, and your brain keeps wanting to cheat. If it's not a diet but just the way you live, it's easier to get results in the long run.0 -
How many times are you going to make this same post?
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10005026/most-people-quit-weight-loss0 -
herrspoons wrote: »snowflake930 wrote: »Keeping it off is the problem. I was morbidly obese when I found MFP 3/12/12.
I have been maintaining a "normal" weight for a little over a year now.
Everything I have read about this says that the odds of maintaining after 5 years are astronomically high against us doing this. A very small minority are successful at keeping the weight off. We all want this achievement, very few of us will be able to do this.
How many of us are actually in this category? It would be interesting to find out.
I am no different. I am very concerned about gaining all the 160+ pounds back. That is why I will continue to log and monitor myself for as long as I am able.
Well the reason is pretty simple:
1) You didn't change your habits, so once you stopped dieting you went back to the things that made you obese in the first place.
2) You didn't monitor your weight on a regular basis and take action before things got out of hand. You don't gain 160 pounds back overnight.
This is what I mean by weight loss not being a journey. The weight loss in itself means absolutely nothing without the change of dietary habit and the feedback loop of regular monitoring and correction.
Honestly, once you get that it becomes quite easy to do.
If you bothered to read what I wrote, I lost the weight and HAVE kept off over 160# for over a year now. I am monitoring myself and not allowing myself to gain back the weight I lost. I am in the low normal weight range for my height, and have been for over 1 year.
I most certainly DID change my habits and HAVE kept it off for over 1 year. My concerns are for keeping it off for the rest of my life. The statistics are extremely high that everyone that loses weight, will gain it all back and often times more.
You don't know me, or anything about my life, so do not tell me what I did, or am doing wrong. It may be easy for you and that is wonderful. The statistics show otherwise for most of us.
0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions