Why were you successful this time round?

CanuckLove

I saw this quote on a friend's profile and it resinated with me...
"If you want something you've never had, you must be willing to do something you've never done"

alliemarie77

This time around..... I had just lost my mother to a heart attack after losing my dad 8 months before that.

I was going through a lot, and I felt like I needed a CHANGE in my life. I couldn't talk to anyone without feeling more alone than before.

So, I decided that I couldn't expect anyone else to change.... I had to be the one to change. I needed to get in shape and be healthy so I could live to be older than 59, or 60. I needed to take care of me! So here I am....

Natihilator

Because I enjoy eating regular kinds/amounts of food and I also discovered that I need to exercise to keep healthy AND sane, and neither of these facts are going to change over the course of my lifetime, so I may as well find my sweet spot and make it work. Which is what I have done through enough years of trial and error.

Also because I have finally accepted that I don't need to lose XXlbs. by XX.XX.20XX. When you toss out that nonsense then this whole journey becomes a lot easier on you and your body and mind in several ways.

norrisski

Because I really, really wanted it. I was fed up of being fat and unfit, and realised that only I could change that. So I did.

I get constant feedback when I look in the mirror. I also can't stop paying attention to what I eat so I will keep my food diary for life and I have fallen in love with swimming all over again, and weight lifting. I love my shoulders in a sleeveless top. Only you can make the decisions everyday about what goes in your mouth and how to spend your time. The long term reward is much better than the extra chocolate chip cookies. Good Luck. BTW I have maintained 130's on scale now for 7 months. Still have a stubborn 6 pounds to go but I will not give up. I HAVE GOT THIS!!!!!!!

mamadon

I have tried more times than I can count over the last twenty years. I usually never made it more than a few days and to be honest I really had no higher expectations this time Around. What I did differently this time is I really thought and planned how I would do it. I thought about what would work best for me and what caused me to quit before. I hate to cook, so if I had to cook elaberate things I would give up. I apparently can't do low carb either lol. I set small goals and only worried about getting to there, when I was in the 260's I focused only on getting to the 250's for example. I also tell myself I will never consider this truly a success until the day I die at my goal weight. It is a life time change. And I tell myself I can't fail if I don't give up.

pippywillow

This time is different because I'm doing it for more energy not just to look better. I could spend the rest of my life without being sexy or thin and I'd still be happy, what I can't do is spend the rest of my life not being able to walk up the stairs without getting out of breath.

Oh and I find my days go better when I start off with some protein for breakfast.

55in13

Because I really, really wanted it. I was fed up of being fat and unfit, and realised that only I could change that. So I did.

And it is quoted yet again. Do you notice a trend between her and the people who quoted her? We all have trackers and lots of progress. We are putting it out there and being accountable. Almost any diet plan will work if you make a very serious decision to stick to it. Wanting it is not enough. You have to commit to doing it; not trying to - doing it!

cbirdso

focus on the process and focus on changing your habits...eating better and more nutritiously...getting your fitness on, etc. Focus on that rather than the arbitrary number on the scale an know that it takes time. Good Livin' isn't about today or tomorrow or next week or next month...it's about your life and how you're livin' your life overall; Good Livin' and the benefits thereof takes time.

Focus on the results and you rarely see the change; focus on the change and you'll always see the results...that's good livin'

Totally this, but I would add it is about the NOW. What you are doing in this moment is either helping or hurting your goals. Choose the activities in the NOW that are helping.

markbolch

What helped me is I looked again at my goals. I needed to lose close to 100 pounds. For me setting that goal was so unobtainable. I then set smaller goals. Even if your goal is to move more and eat less for today or this week, Days turn into weeks , weeks turn into months and I am 80+ down. If I mess up for a day rather than giving up and going back to my old habits tomorrow is another day and strive to do better. After a while you will see results. After you see some results it snowballs into more motivation. If I miss a day of exercise that’s okay but I try to never miss 2 in a row. I also do what works for me through trial and error. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on here, I’m not one of those. There are a lot of opinionated people on here and I may be one of those. I don’t put much thought into” you have to do this or you can’t do that”. I read it all but in the end I do what works for me and I’m sure some would say you can’t do that :-).. Take it all in, sort it out and bottom line do what works for you and if one day you fail don’t give up try again the next. The other thing I did was take a good look at the stuff going on wrong in my head that caused me to overeat to begin with and ended up in a happier place..

MinnieInMaine

In the beginning, I was just completely fed up with how I looked and felt and was determined to make a long-term change to improve my health, fitness and looks. As I've gone through the process, I've learned new things and even lost track a couple times but then I refocus my goals, find new tools, exercise, recipes - whatever it takes to keep it interesting and keep myself motivated.

I did a lot of self examining too. It's not easy for sure! A friend of mine asked me why i thought I failed the last diet (Atkins, lost about 50 pounds then dumped the diet and gained it all back and then some) and at first I blew off the question but it stuck with me and I gave it some serious thought. And I realized that deprivation was my biggest source of failure. Every diet I'd tried before I wouldn't let myself have pizza or chocolate or whatever and of course that was what I really wanted. So this time I found ways to still have the foods I enjoyed but tweaked them a bit so they were healthier and lower cal or I'd have them but less often and with smaller portions.

You may have to deal with your own fears and set backs as we all do but the thing that's important is that you keep going. Even if you slip for a weekend or week or even month, get back on track and continue moving forward. Don't give up.

As far as support goes. Have a good talk with your family. Get them to join you as much as you can but the rest is ultimately up to you. There are still cookies and movie butter popcorn in my cupboard but those are his, and I have my own healthy snacks if I want something.

Definitely get back to the logging - it's a valuable tool! Good luck!

LeanneGoingThin

Because for the first time I know what I'm doing and I feel confident.

jennagoogles13

This is my first time around, and hopefully my last. I just woke up one morning and it's like something clicked. I knew I never again wanted to look and feel the way I used to, so I committed. My progress is what keeps me going:)

H_Factor

Its not working for you because either:

1. You have not written down all of the reasons why you HATE being overweight...and I mean, dig down to your core and come up with the dark, ugly truths about what it is you HATE about being overweight and unhealthy.

OR

2. You have taken the time to be honest with yourself, written down the deep-in-your-gut things you don't like about being overweight, and they just aren't all that horrible for you.

I believe, if you really know what it is that you HATE about your current lifestyle....and you dig out the things that gnaw at you and read that list every day and every time you are struggling....you will find a way to get healthy. But some folks are okay with being unhealthy and overweight and just don't hate it enough. Until you hate it enough, the journey to good health is going to be more challenging.

rwhawkes

1) I determined to change the way I eat
2) I wrapped my brain around how much work it is to nullify the calories of a Mars bar, let alone a container of Haagen Dasz.
3) I found an exercise that I enjoy that I could make an (almost) everyday occurrence. That's cycling to & from work which is about 90 minutes (40km) a day.

I won't say that I "am" successful but I will say that it's working pretty well.

I've read it a zillion times before and finally embraced it: Losing weight is 10% exercise and 90% eating properly.

spruitt417

I am having trouble losing weight. While I am down three pounds I am fluctuating and bad habits are creeping in again and I am worried I am just going to go back to being unhealthy. I have honestly tried so many times, and I am finding it hard when my family is not being very supportive. I don't really have anyone to talk to and I am just finding it overwhelming really. Ok so I was just going to ask how come this time round was the time you lost weight, I mean I know personally why I am failing (not logging in consistently, giving in to eating rubbish, working out three times a week when I should be nearer to 5) but its just like I wake up and eat two bowls of breakfast and toast and stuff like that. I really need a kick up the backside to get back into gear, I don't really know what this post is for I mean I guess I have just been really bad the last week and in need of support and any help from your experiences getting back into it after a rough time and how you coped at the start of losing weight? It's like I cannot go more than 2 weeks without just giving up. Thanks

spruitt417

I didn't broadcast that I was on a journey to lose weight, I just started. I didn't look to my family or friends for support. I just decided I was ready & it was time....no magic bullet!

GormanGhaste

I think because it's about being healthier, it's me focusing on what I want to add to my life, rather than subtract.

I'm making small changes that I can live with the rest of my life. I still eat fast food that fits within my calorie goals. I don't have some crazy workout routine, I just walk everyday. I love dancing, so I'll probably get a Zumba dvd, that sounds like fun!

Find healthy things that you love.

jkal1979

In the beginning (and even now) I made goals that would help me build lasting habits. Every month I find a couple things that I want to focus on like logging food, exercising more, weighing food, etc. I also wrote out a list of why I want to lose weight and when I feel the temptation to throw in the towel I pull it out and read it a few times over.

It also helps for me to plan ahead. If I write out what I am going to eat the next day I'm not so tempted to stray off of that plan. It's when I try to figure out what I am going to eat when I'm hungry that gets me in trouble. I also wrote out a specific plan on how to reach my weight loss goal.

As far as support goes, make some friends on here. I think it's better to get support from others who know what you are going through.

SanteMulberry

I am having trouble losing weight. While I am down three pounds I am fluctuating and bad habits are creeping in again and I am worried I am just going to go back to being unhealthy. I have honestly tried so many times, and I am finding it hard when my family is not being very supportive. I don't really have anyone to talk to and I am just finding it overwhelming really. Ok so I was just going to ask how come this time round was the time you lost weight, I mean I know personally why I am failing (not logging in consistently, giving in to eating rubbish, working out three times a week when I should be nearer to 5) but its just like I wake up and eat two bowls of breakfast and toast and stuff like that. I really need a kick up the backside to get back into gear, I don't really know what this post is for I mean I guess I have just been really bad the last week and in need of support and any help from your experiences getting back into it after a rough time and how you coped at the start of losing weight? It's like I cannot go more than 2 weeks without just giving up. Thanks

What I have done is to go lower carbs (70-100 grams seems to be the "sweet spot" for losing body fat--I NEVER go above 150 grams). Like many, many [formerly] obese (I am now officially only "overweight" and I hope to get to "normal" within the next year) women, my body simply doesn't do well when carbohydrates make up more than about 20% of my calories. I eat more carbs on my heavier exercise days, but I still like to keep it below 100 grams. I have entirely eliminated sugar as I believe it invites binge eating (and it is empty calories anyway).

I increased my protein quite a bit over what I have eaten in the past. I am using stevia-sweetened whey protein in shakes--usually only one a day for lunch or dinner. I put in 3-6-9 oil and avocado, to make sure I get "good fats". I also make sure that I eat a bit of full-fat yogurt to make sure that my gut bacteria stay healthy. I usually use some kind of berry to make it more interesting and I often use a "green's" powder as well. It is a pretty yummy form of nourishment and it makes you feel GREAT! One of the biggest mistakes I made in the past was to only pay attention to trying to get my calories as low as possible, ignoring nutrition. I lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time but was malnourished when I was done and couldn't seem to stop myself from eating (I also ended my diets with some kind of health crisis on several occasions). It guaranteed that I would regain the weight--plus some, because low-calorie quick weight-loss diets reduced my muscles to junk status.

On the exercise end, I do a bit of calorie-burning every day, but I limit true cardio to less than two hours a week (and I try to include intervals for CVD health). I generally stick pretty rigidly to my calorie goals but if I am hungry and want to eat more (and I rarely do because I don't eat empty calories) then I exercise so that I can. I LIFT WEIGHTS and find that it does a LOT to burn off body fat and that it helps with appetite as well. I was at my granddaughter's kindergarten graduation at her school today and they were serving cake. I could have had a piece if I had wanted because I could just burn it off later in my exercise session. But I didn't because I am trying to improve my health with everything I am doing, and there is NOTHING in a piece of cake that will contribute to that goal (sugar and hydrogenated vegetable oil in the icing and likely GMO wheat and more sugar in the cake). It might "taste" good to my eyes and deceived tongue, but the rest of my body would be going "yuck-pooey". . :-) Once you turn down cake, cookie, pie, etc., a few times, your family and friends learn not to offer it to you anymore. If you do it though, you've got to be prepared for semi-hostile responses from them for a while, such as: "Oh, come on---you've lost a lot of weight. Surely, you can have one piece of cake?!" "What--are you trying to make me feel guilty??" Let it roll off your back. You are the only one who has a right to decide what you put in your mouth. Good luck. Friend me if you want to see what I eat.

SanteMulberry

Last time, I lost rapidly and lived on 5 hour energy, and consumed under 1,000 calories on a regular basis. This time? I was 170 in January, I'm 154 now...and I have definition that I never had before. On average I eat 1,500 to 2,500 calories a day, I'm active, healthy, eat clean...but most of all I'm mentally stable, have the right mindset, and I am patient. Lift heavy, eat clean, do a little bit of cardio.

^^^THIS^^^