All you need is [MFP] love...

DeeDiddyGee

Great article on support during weight loss:



https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/the-1-habit-you-should-have-to-lose-weight-its-not-what-you-think-2/?user_id=54586526018989&alt_source=mfp&alt_medium=email&alt_campaign=weekly20150921&utm_source=mfp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly20150921&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRoks6rJZKXonjHpfsX97+ktWKCzlMI/0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4DRMNhI+SLDwEYGJlv6SgFSrTFMblm0LgLXhM=

ManiacalLaugh

I don't know. I'm certainly not going to argue with anyone who says "I need this support," but at the same time, I largely disagree with the author's main point, "I call this habit, this all-important, #1 habit, 'Creating a community of consistency.'"

Consistency, yes - absolutely, that is key. Needing a community to remain consistent? That's a matter of preference, but IMO - not always the best crutch to lean on.

I lost almost all of the 90 lbs I've lost by myself. I never told anyone I was trying to lose weight, I just did it. I only volunteered information when directly asked. Only recently, have I begun to be a little more social with my weight loss, specifically on the MFP forums. Now that I have an SO, he's also being drawn into the effort naturally, as he's trying to lose a few as well and we can offer support to each other.

But sometimes couples break up, coworkers move away, and friends and family shift their focus onto other things. If we depend on other people to help carry us, many of us are going to fail. Personally speaking, what has really worked for me this time around - learning how to do it for myself.

Maybe this is just the way I interpreted the article though. I'm sure this is probably the unpopular opinion on social dieting.

DeeDiddyGee

I see your point and relate to your point entirely. I, too, am a "loner" type when it comes to achieving things. I have found, however, that when I start to get frustrated, bored or otherwise disenchanted, that having some "cheerleaders" has kept me on track.

goldthistime

The cynic in me noticed that the author is probably a fitness coach and that "coach" was his number two item on the list of good sources of support. Number one might have been too obvious

Eta: second paragraph didn't post. Wanted to say that I AGREE with the sentiment that having a community of people who are making nutrition and exercise priorities in their lives is VERY helpful in keeping those goals first among equals.

I typically get to goal, stay there for a while, then get absorbed in the pursuit of some new goal and attention to health and fitness falls by the wayside. I don't think MFP alone will be enough to prevent that cycle from occurring. My tennis club should help if I can get over my current injuries and stay injury free (big IFs). I may have to look for an active group that revolves around my activities while injured: cycling, swimming, rowing. As shallow as it sounds a huge splurge on wardrobe once I get to goal should help.

DeeDiddyGee

goldthistime wrote: »

I typically get to goal, stay there for a while, then get absorbed in the pursuit of some new goal and attention to health and fitness falls by the wayside.

I go through the same thing. I guess I need to find others who have reached goal to keep it going. The people you "lose" weight with won't all necessarily be the same people you will "maintain" with. This time around, when I reach goal, I am going to make sure I have some kind of accountability factor because starting from square one is getting really old.

Azuriaz

goldthistime wrote: »

The cynic in me noticed that the author is probably a fitness coach and that "coach" was his number two item on the list of good sources of support. Number one might have been too obvious

Eta: second paragraph didn't post. Wanted to say that I AGREE with the sentiment that having a community of people who are making nutrition and exercise priorities in their lives is VERY helpful in keeping those goals first among equals.

I typically get to goal, stay there for a while, then get absorbed in the pursuit of some new goal and attention to health and fitness falls by the wayside. I don't think MFP alone will be enough to prevent that cycle from occurring. My tennis club should help if I can get over my current injuries and stay injury free (big IFs). I may have to look for an active group that revolves around my activities while injured: cycling, swimming, rowing. As shallow as it sounds a huge splurge on wardrobe once I get to goal should help.

Right there with you. I have to reach goal and stay rock solid at it. I have a screenplay to finish, but last time I was working on it, I gained a pound a page!