Does it ever not seem real?
Jasmunr
Posts: 147 Member
I've been trying to lose weight unsuccessfully for 3 years. This is my 3rd go at myfitnesspal and for some reason it just stuck this time. I've gone from 133/134 to 125 in about a month and a half. It just doesn't seem real. It just seems too easy like someone is going to pop out and say "surprise, just kidding!" Did anyone else feel like that in the beginning?
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In the beginning yes.
What do you mean I don't have to be miserable to lose weight? You mean I don't have to live off of salads? I can still eat ice cream????
Yes. It's ridiculously simple and easy. The hard part is all mental (patience, learning, etc).0 -
I am new to myfitnesspal. In 2 months I have lost 24 lbs, just by tracking my food and staying within the calorie limit. I also kept thinking it was a joke, or maybe I am really sick or something. How can just cutting back on calories be the answer???? I still am amazed.0
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I am new to myfitnesspal. In 2 months I have lost 24 lbs, just by tracking my food and staying within the calorie limit. I also kept thinking it was a joke, or maybe I am really sick or something. How can just cutting back on calories be the answer???? I still am amazed.
@deast12 glad I'm not alone. It feels so strange. I suppose it comes from the mentality that if something seems too good to be true it probably is. The only time I was sucessful at losing weight before was when I had jaw surgery and went from 136-126. That's only because I was not able to eat anything at all. So actually being able to lose and eat feels strange
. But I've taken pictures and measurements and my body really is changing.
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In the beginning yes.
What do you mean I don't have to be miserable to lose weight? You mean I don't have to live off of salads? I can still eat ice cream????
Yes. It's ridiculously simple and easy. The hard part is all mental (patience, learning, etc).
I have to disagree with the easy part of this statement. Sure it's as simple as counting calories but ridiculously easy?....not so much. Maybe it is for some people, but for me, it has not been easy at all. If it were that easy to lose weight, everyone would be thin and fabulous.
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@JSurita2 I definitely think it depends on the person and why they were overweight and such. I know personally I generally like food low in calories like veggies, lean protein, fish etc. I also have always ate small portions. My issue was I was lazy. I ate out most meals. So that's why I gained weight. When it came to calorie counting it was super easy as soon as I got out of the habit of eating out. Which wasn't very hard as I started right when my university ended so I am no longer out and about as much. But then there's my sister where her issue is she hates "healthy" food and has issues eating small portions. So I can definitely see how it could be easy or hard depending on the person's prior relationship with food.In the beginning yes.
What do you mean I don't have to be miserable to lose weight? You mean I don't have to live off of salads? I can still eat ice cream????
Yes. It's ridiculously simple and easy. The hard part is all mental (patience, learning, etc).
I have to disagree with the easy part of this statement. Sure it's as simple as counting calories but ridiculously easy?....not so much. Maybe it is for some people, but for me, it has not been easy at all. If it were that easy to lose weight, everyone would be thin and fabulous.
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In the beginning yes.
What do you mean I don't have to be miserable to lose weight? You mean I don't have to live off of salads? I can still eat ice cream????
Yes. It's ridiculously simple and easy. The hard part is all mental (patience, learning, etc).
I have to disagree with the easy part of this statement. Sure it's as simple as counting calories but ridiculously easy?....not so much. Maybe it is for some people, but for me, it has not been easy at all. If it were that easy to lose weight, everyone would be thin and fabulous.
From a calories in/calories out perspective, it is easy. That's why I said the hard part is mental. There's alot of mental aspects that go into it. Also medical.. which I could have stated too. But if you're accurate and in a deficit, it really is easy. It takes time and all that, but I feel like it is easy. At least it's much easier than I thought it would be. Before getting serious, everything was overwhelming and I was making it out to be more difficult than it really was. Eat all my normal foods within a calorie deficit. Mathematically and scientifically though, it's simple (and yes, I think it's easy).
I think another part of the problem is that people are so conditioned to think that weight loss is really hard and takes a ton of effort, or that you have to eat next to nothing, or eat certain foods. The weight loss industry makes billions off people by saying how 'easy' they can lose weight but then make it difficult with taking X and Y product, but wait, don't forget to take Z too!
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When I graduated in 2012, I was 80 lbs heavier, confused about where I was going, a bit depressed, and lonely. I started losing weight, gaining muscle and confidence, starting taking care of my appearance, and went out of my comfort zone to meet new people.
I'm now within 30 lbs of my goal weight (which is amazing when I think about where I started), and am approaching my second anniversary with a wonderful bf who encourages my healthy goals every day. I have an awesome group of new friends and even gained the courage to move out of state and switch jobs.
No, when I think about how many changes have resulted from me getting myself healthier and feeling better about myself, it doesn't feel real. Even after a year of being able to shop in the normal clothing department, I still find myself walking towards the plus-size area when I walk into a department store.
It's an odd thing.0 -
In the beginning yes.
What do you mean I don't have to be miserable to lose weight? You mean I don't have to live off of salads? I can still eat ice cream????
Yes. It's ridiculously simple and easy. The hard part is all mental (patience, learning, etc).
I have to disagree with the easy part of this statement. Sure it's as simple as counting calories but ridiculously easy?....not so much. Maybe it is for some people, but for me, it has not been easy at all. If it were that easy to lose weight, everyone would be thin and fabulous.
From a calories in/calories out perspective, it is easy. That's why I said the hard part is mental. There's alot of mental aspects that go into it. Also medical.. which I could have stated too. But if you're accurate and in a deficit, it really is easy. It takes time and all that, but I feel like it is easy. At least it's much easier than I thought it would be. Before getting serious, everything was overwhelming and I was making it out to be more difficult than it really was. Eat all my normal foods within a calorie deficit. Mathematically and scientifically though, it's simple (and yes, I think it's easy).
I think another part of the problem is that people are so conditioned to think that weight loss is really hard and takes a ton of effort, or that you have to eat next to nothing, or eat certain foods. The weight loss industry makes billions off people by saying how 'easy' they can lose weight but then make it difficult with taking X and Y product, but wait, don't forget to take Z too!
I suppose it is a mindset we have to adapt. I could agree with that. When I did Weight Watchers I was very successful and I didn't find it as difficult as some others did. For some reason MFP hasn't been the same experience for me but I'll keep at it.0 -
no, but I'm a math and science kinda guy...0
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I'd be surprised if I lost that much that fast.
Just curious, how many calories did you allow yourself a day?0 -
Fridays are my weigh days. I had a not-so-good week calorie wise. I missed a couple of work outs. I got on the scale this morning hoping I just had not gained. Wham! Down 2 pounds. Unlike other weeks where I kill myself and get hardly any movement.
I seriously thought my scale was broken and made my husband step on just to be sure.
The takeaway for me is that MFP just works. When you have the mindset that you are going to log everything and be completely honest with yourself, it works. No gimmicks, no lose-weight-super-fast false expectations. Slow and steady.
Why didn't I do this years ago?0 -
strong_curves wrote: »I'd be surprised if I lost that much that fast.
Just curious, how many calories did you allow yourself a day?
@strong_curves MFP has me at 1290 to lose 1 pound a week. (I'm like a mm under 5'0 so I just say 5'0). I usually document about 1,000-1,100 calories but I don't count the numerous bites I take throughout the day. Many times I'll grab a handful of nuts or veggies. I'm trying to eat a bit more though. I've just been sick this last week so it's been difficult. I'm also thinking about changing it to .5 a week soon but I'm not sure when it's a good time.
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Yup. Today I'm on this app 100 days. I'm 37lbs down. It's never been this easy.
The biggest difference is that, this time, I feel in control of my body. Before it was "eat this, not that" and maybe I'd lose or gain or I'd plateau. But this is steady sustainable weight loss and yeah it's not always easy and sometimes I good but I'm in control and that makes such a difference!0 -
I'm with JSurita2. Weight loss may be simple but I don't find it easy. It's very, very hard as I have to battle hunger all the time.0
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crazyjerseygirl - that is how I feel. More in control0
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maillemaker wrote: »I'm with JSurita2. Weight loss may be simple but I don't find it easy. It's very, very hard as I have to battle hunger all the time.
than you are doing it wrong.
You shouldn't be hungry all the time...if it's true hunger and based on your diary yah you are hungry.
You are a 44 year old man eating less than 1400 calories most days...I see a day in april with 967 calories..then for the next week you are consistently over your goal..and your protein is soooo low.
I see a very distinct pattern...restrict hard for a couple days then you let loose.
Weight loss is simple CI vs CO and easy if you set reasonable goals and allow for your the foods you crave/love/want vs restricting so hard than letting go and defeating the restrictions with excess calories because you are soooo hungry or want something so bad you say screw this...
As a woman of almost 43 I will lose weight eating 1800 calories a day...in the summer with extra exercise I can lose eating 2200 a day...and I am 150lbs.
I swear people use this as a form of punishment for being overweight
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My female self on 1310kcal laughs at you gentlemen like a hero from a 1930s musical. Ha-ha!0
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I've been trying to lose weight unsuccessfully for 3 years. This is my 3rd go at myfitnesspal and for some reason it just stuck this time. I've gone from 133/134 to 125 in about a month and a half. It just doesn't seem real. It just seems too easy like someone is going to pop out and say "surprise, just kidding!" Did anyone else feel like that in the beginning?
Sometimes it doesn't seem real that it is working so well this time. I didn't expect such good results when I joined MFP.
It has been really easy for me compared to everything I've tried in the past.
I guess I am lucky that my issue seemed to be mainly knowing how many calories to eat to lose weight and knowing what I was eating. I haven't changed my diet much at all. I spend a few minutes logging. I am not hungry all the time. I'm not an emotional eater. I am not a binger. I don't have medical problems. I just ate too many calories for my activity level. It could have always been this easy for me. So I do feel ridiculous or stupid for not counting calories sooner because I thought it would be too difficult or restrictive.0 -
some weeks have been easy. Some not at all. Right now I'm hungry. HUNGRY. But I'm not eating a snack because I'm saving extra calories for a special occassion tonight. It's not easy to live with a little hunger for an hour or two, but it is worth it so I can enjoy a night out and still lose weight.0
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Sometimes I wonder if I was really that big. Then I put on some old pants. Yeah, I was that big.
I've lost almost 110 pounds despite, apparently, doing it wrong and exercising wrong. It's a miracle I lost anything at all.0 -
DeguelloTex wrote: »Sometimes I wonder if I was really that big. Then I put on some old pants. Yeah, I was that big.
I've lost almost 110 pounds despite, apparently, doing it wrong and exercising wrong. It's a miracle I lost anything at all.
Wow, congrats!!0 -
I think I'm right on the verge of that happening. I'm starting to notice myself being smaller after 60lbs lost, and feel as though my goal doesn't seem so unrealistic. I still have another 60lbs to go, but I think that there will be pretty drastic changes within the next 20lbs, or so.0
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Once you decide to lose, you'll do it. Period. You'll reduce your caloric intake, increase your exercise activity, and it will happen. And then you'll think, "Why didn't I do this before?" and for some reason, more often than not, you'll quit, thinking, "Oh, that was easy" and next thing you know you're 10 pounds more than your highest weight. It IS that easy, but it's NOT that easy to continue until you have reached your goal weight then stay at it. Just keep at it and don't stop. Ever.0
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One point is getting the loss and the deficit behind you within a reasonable time frame rather than dragging it out for years.0
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This forum was an epiphany for me. I can eat anything and lose weight? Don't have to eat low fat diet food? I admit it took some time to get used to the idea. I didn't lose as fast as last time, but I wanted to go for a long term lifestyle that I could ease into, and that does not include planned or strenous exercise. It's so easy. Sometimes I slip, but most days are just filled with lovely foods that satisfy me, and walks, and stupid dance moves in the kitchen. I've been maintaining for more than six months now and doing great.0
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maillemaker wrote: »I'm with JSurita2. Weight loss may be simple but I don't find it easy. It's very, very hard as I have to battle hunger all the time.
than you are doing it wrong.
You shouldn't be hungry all the time...if it's true hunger and based on your diary yah you are hungry.
You are a 44 year old man eating less than 1400 calories most days...I see a day in april with 967 calories..then for the next week you are consistently over your goal..and your protein is soooo low.
I see a very distinct pattern...restrict hard for a couple days then you let loose.
Weight loss is simple CI vs CO and easy if you set reasonable goals and allow for your the foods you crave/love/want vs restricting so hard than letting go and defeating the restrictions with excess calories because you are soooo hungry or want something so bad you say screw this...
As a woman of almost 43 I will lose weight eating 1800 calories a day...in the summer with extra exercise I can lose eating 2200 a day...and I am 150lbs.
I swear people use this as a form of punishment for being overweight
But for some people the calorie equation can get so low that it's just stupid, correct? I don't lose anything unless I eat 1800 calories a day. I'm a male who weighs 80lbs more than you. All those things I shouldn't have to restrict. Oops. They're gone. Too calorie dense. Sure, I can make room for that 200 calories of 3 spoonfuls of ice cream but then I'll just be hungry the rest of the night. But it's simple though right? Just CICO right?
EDIT: just look at the graph and you'll see how stupid this all is: Feb 28 to May 1, 1800 calories a day. One week of vacation erased it. Then look at last year. 2300 calories a day from the summer until December. Then boom. No loss. There's no logic to any of this sometimes: https://trendweight.com/u/f8ef80f0071149/
I don't believe so...barring medical conditions.
I looked at your diary and what I could see based on entries is you don't weight much food and if you do the entries are suspect...eating more than you think.
And yes it is that simple...CICO...
I had coffee with cream and sugar, fruit smoothie with protein powder, juice etc. Lean cuisine for lunch and 10 hotwings for dinner along with yogurt and now chocolate...1800 calories...I will lose weight eating this way...I have for the first 18 months here...maintained for 6 months...decided I wanted to see what 140 looks like...
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It does seem so much easier than I imagined. When friends were suggesting I try it after a Dr told me to restrict calories, I got pretty angry. I really did not think it could be so simple. But I have these amazing friends who are extremely intelligent (scientists in fact) and they have never given me a bit of bad advice. So I had to trust their logic and since I truly wanted to lose weight I decided to suck it up and try. I am really grateful to whoever it was that suggested MFP on Facebook.
The first couple of weeks were tough but now it has gotten to be a habit to plan my meals and weight things out. I think my background in food service has helped. I was already accustomed to weighing and portioning foods so it was just like going back to work only not as much volume.
I have been loosing weight very slowly for the past 15 years. Started at 340 in 2000 when I gained a lot of weight after the death of my husband in 1999. I plateaued at 290 from 2001-2009 dropped to 280 and got stuck there again until 2014 and was bobbing up and down around 277 in March of this year and had been stuck there for a year. Today I logged at 255. I have not weighed this low since I was 23 years old... that was 22 years ago.0 -
maillemaker wrote: »I'm with JSurita2. Weight loss may be simple but I don't find it easy. It's very, very hard as I have to battle hunger all the time.
than you are doing it wrong.
You shouldn't be hungry all the time...if it's true hunger and based on your diary yah you are hungry.
You are a 44 year old man eating less than 1400 calories most days...I see a day in april with 967 calories..then for the next week you are consistently over your goal..and your protein is soooo low.
I see a very distinct pattern...restrict hard for a couple days then you let loose.
Weight loss is simple CI vs CO and easy if you set reasonable goals and allow for your the foods you crave/love/want vs restricting so hard than letting go and defeating the restrictions with excess calories because you are soooo hungry or want something so bad you say screw this...
As a woman of almost 43 I will lose weight eating 1800 calories a day...in the summer with extra exercise I can lose eating 2200 a day...and I am 150lbs.
I swear people use this as a form of punishment for being overweight
But for some people the calorie equation can get so low that it's just stupid, correct? I don't lose anything unless I eat 1800 calories a day. I'm a male who weighs 80lbs more than you. All those things I shouldn't have to restrict. Oops. They're gone. Too calorie dense. Sure, I can make room for that 200 calories of 3 spoonfuls of ice cream but then I'll just be hungry the rest of the night. But it's simple though right? Just CICO right?
EDIT: just look at the graph and you'll see how stupid this all is: Feb 28 to May 1, 1800 calories a day. One week of vacation erased it. Then look at last year. 2300 calories a day from the summer until December. Then boom. No loss. There's no logic to any of this sometimes: https://trendweight.com/u/f8ef80f0071149/
It is that simple, and as you were told in the other thread by multiple people after you made MANY posts on this, maybe you should consult a physician to make sure there is nothing else going on. With you (and I am going by your other posts not just this one) something isn't adding up right. Either you are not being as honest about your logging as you claim or you have an unknown health issue. Instead of complaining about his continually, maybe go to the doctor and rule a few things out. Once that is ruled out, you can focus on what you may be doing wrong diet wise. The problem is every time it's suggested you go to the doctor you question what you should have done at the doctor as if you don't want to go without someone telling you what your issue is first. Well, we are not doctors. Go there, voice your concerns, and a competent doctor will know what to check. It is about calories in calories out. Unless you have a medical conditions, nobody is a special snowflake where calorie counting is concerned.
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