You're not "special"

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Replies

  • Ann_Marie_2x_MORE
    Ann_Marie_2x_MORE Posts: 68 Member
    [/quote]

    ^^ This! I'm 3 lbs from goal (almost 40 lbs gone total) and so many of my FB friends are doing Herbalife and dropping the same in 1/4 of the time it took me. I don't want to see them fail, but I don't think they will sustain their weightloss. Counting calories teaches us how to have a good relationship with food, even if we go through a phase of calorie obsession.
    [/quote]

    I guess I'm in the calorie obsessive phase.

    I've tried EVERYTHING to lose weight except the ONE thing that would have gotten me there. I wanted quick results, so I tried a lot of different things.

    Slimfast - way back in the day (gained it all back + some)
    Diet pills - gained it all back + some
    Juicing - gained it all back + some

    Now I'm eating less and moving more.... I'm hoping to lose it ALL and never gain it back. I agree - I need a healthy respect for calories in / calories out. This is also the first time that I've "joined" the community, to have some kind of accountability to keep at it.
  • action_figure
    action_figure Posts: 511 Member
    I agree. I've been losing weight consistently during all three phases of my weight loss. Phase one was simply calories in < calories out. Phase two was that plus exercise. Phase three is increasing workout intensity, and actually watching my macros a little better and doing some meal timing around workouts. It's not like I really lose more weight doing it this way, and the jury is still out as to whether it puts me into the area of diminishing returns, because it is kinda a PITA, but I think I'm gaining a lot more in my performance than I was just doing simple calorie counting.
  • rosemaryhon
    rosemaryhon Posts: 507 Member

    Your kind of thinking keeps someone from freaking out when they do overeat, either by accident or on purpose...

    I agree, no need to freak out about this ^.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    so your saying that I cannot do master cleanses that involve raspberry ketones anymore???

    I mean everyone knows the best way to lose weight is with a seven day master cleanse, followed by a seven day juice cleanse, followed by a seven day raspberry ketone cleanse...are you picking up a pattern here....

    bahahahahahahahahaha

    Just kidding bro...great post! This is why you are on my friends list :)
  • blessedmomof3girls
    blessedmomof3girls Posts: 61 Member
    I love this, it's simple science explained. Who knew diet wonder pills and voodoo magic weren't the key to weight loss?!
  • rosemaryhon
    rosemaryhon Posts: 507 Member
    ...
    One friend took it a step farther on an outing recently. "Oh, you want ice cream? Do you have the caloric room for that today??" I smiled and simply said, "I guess if I want the ice cream, I can take the long walk or do some aerobics to make up for it. Her response, "I didn't know you could exercise to eat more food." *sigh*
    ...

    So what would be the answer for those who don't want to take a long walk or do some aerobics to make up for indulgences? This is a sincere question ;)

    There are only three answers. Exercise (or cut calories somewhere else) to make up for the indulgences. Don't have the indulgences. Get or stay fat. Choose the answer that makes you happiest.

    I totally agree. Though seems some are equating deciding not to have the indulgence as 'starving' oneself.
  • Ldbg289
    Ldbg289 Posts: 236 Member
    Yeah it's funny, I have also had people ask me how I've done it. I just say I've cut back on junk, eat more real food(things not considered junk) and move more when I can. But I mainly focus on my food(I have a medical condition that forces me to be light on the exercise). That's not to say I don't push myself, I do, but I just have to be mindful of how far is too far.
  • saschka7
    saschka7 Posts: 577 Member
    I guess I must be way off the radar with trendy weight loss fads....I just realized while reading this thread that Shakeology and Shakeweight are NOT the same thing.

    38efff79-aec8-4612-a81d-d3f372953897_zpsf477d4bd.jpg

    Oh wait, maybe they are. :laugh:
  • PrettyPearl88
    PrettyPearl88 Posts: 368 Member
    I am asked frequently if I'm on some type of special diet (paleo, primal, low-fat, low-carb, etc.) To a person they are visibly disappointed when I tell them I count calories daily and subscribe to a balanced diet - to include treats - while exercising more. This approach has taken me from ~200 lbs down to 155@10% BF and through one intentional bulk/cut cycle. I owe it all to MFP, a food scale, and a gym.

    I'm currently in maintenance and tweaking numbers because we all do have different metabolisms. That doesn't mean in/out is flawed - it just needs to be adjusted to fit your needs. There isn't a calculator on the web that will spit out your TDEE down to the exact calorie. They are designed to get you in the ballpark and you need to do the rest through tracking and modification.

    Note: assumes no underlying medical condition or medications are affecting weight. IANAN.

    I get asked that ALL THE TIME and get the same disappointed reactions too!!! And I always get super excited when people ask me how I lost the weight and what I did because I'm always so excited to tell them how simple it really was and that anyone can do it...I just ate healthier, ate less, moved more, and did everything in moderation! But their reaction is always a disappointed "Ohhhh." It's as if they're wanting me to say "Oh my gosh, I just paid $99 for this new supplement called Fairy Oil pills that melted 50 pounds of fat in just 3 weeks! It's amazing, it works, I didn't even have to do anything different! No exercise or diet required! It's so easy!"

    No! Fairy Oil pills don't exist and they never will! The only way to lose weight, keep it off, and stay healthy is actually put in some effort. Too many people only want the easy way out.
  • NaomiJFoster
    NaomiJFoster Posts: 1,450 Member
    I have a friend who recently 'did' some sort of Soup Diet. Or THE Soup Diet? I don't know. She was inviting me to join her, saying that the soups are delicious. And yes, I love soup. But I don't want to be obligated to eat soup three times a day for a month!! She said that it's great because the soup lets you eat less. For that month. But I don't want to eat LESS, I love food!!!. I just want to eat better. Forever. I honestly don't think she lost any weight at all (she never bragged or commented, anyway). And guess who's continuing to eat well and continuing to steadily lose small amounts at a time, and guess who is now talking about trying out some other new diet that she read about on-line?
  • onwarddownward
    onwarddownward Posts: 1,683 Member
    Soup diet.

    Well, misery loves company. Especially if you're the one selling the soup.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    ...
    One friend took it a step farther on an outing recently. "Oh, you want ice cream? Do you have the caloric room for that today??" I smiled and simply said, "I guess if I want the ice cream, I can take the long walk or do some aerobics to make up for it. Her response, "I didn't know you could exercise to eat more food." *sigh*
    ...

    So what would be the answer for those who don't want to take a long walk or do some aerobics to make up for indulgences? This is a sincere question ;)
    One day won't hurt, but continually doing it will put one in above calorie limit to lose weight. Exercise can help offset calories, but it's tough to out exercise a bad diet.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    Everyday at the gym or just conversing with people, I get asked what "special" diet I'm on to stay fit. Lol, when I ask them which day are they talking about, they are like "wuh?".

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • peeaanuut
    peeaanuut Posts: 359 Member
    This is why I hate when people ask or remark about me being on a diet. I tell them that I am just choosing to eat better and they give me a snarky look like I am going to fail. Which is really the opposite. You know, cause their uncles 3rd cousins nephews neighbors boss did the peanut butter and pickled pigs knuckles diet and lost 200lbs in 3 minutes.
  • ThriceBlessed
    ThriceBlessed Posts: 499 Member
    Completely agree, I DO use shakeology, but for the vitamins and protein, not because I believe I will automatically lose weight because I drink a shake. My main focus is keeping my calories in less than my calories out.
  • jenifr818
    jenifr818 Posts: 805 Member
    This is why I hate when people ask or remark about me being on a diet. I tell them that I am just choosing to eat better and they give me a snarky look like I am going to fail. Which is really the opposite. You know, cause their uncles 3rd cousins nephews neighbors boss did the peanut butter and pickled pigs knuckles diet and lost 200lbs in 3 minutes.

    That "pickled pigs knuckles" diet sounds .... intriguing, to say the least :laugh:
  • Mock_Turtle
    Mock_Turtle Posts: 354 Member
    so true. Losing weight is a grind.

    You set your gameplan in terms of calories consumed, and then you stick to it. Just keep grinding, slowly but surely and the results follow. No magic, just math.
  • NewLIFEstyle4ME
    NewLIFEstyle4ME Posts: 4,440 Member
    What I am saying here is that unless one is suffering from a health issue or a reaction to certain foods, then eating a calorie deficit is what one needs to do to lose weight.

    Not some special diet, supplement, concoction, shake, meal timing, carb manipulation, etc. All of them have one thing in common when trying to get one to lose weight.......................less calorie intake vs calories burned.

    Don't think that you're NOT going to be the one who regains after getting off some special diet. 90% plus do and odds aren't in your favor.
    Some will say that they have control though. Apparently people have control over their money and spending, yet the majority of people still live paycheck to paycheck or are just scrapping by.

    What's the point here?

    You don't NEED to spend extra money on carefully thought out diet plans that were concocted to make money for the seller.
    Just eat less and move a little more.

    That's not to say you can't enhance your body with exercise, but it just boils down to calorie in/calories out when it comes to actual weight loss.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    God bless you richly my brother! What a tremendous and humbling message this is. Humble pie topped with load of sweet truth is one of my all time favorite RICH treats and you've served up a most hearty and healthy portion for me (and undoubtedly others) via this post and for that, I thank you so much...you ROCK sir!

    :love: :drinker: :glasses: :heart: :glasses: :drinker: :love:
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    bumping to include that this works for those wanting to gain weight too.

    eat more, move less (and lift some heavy stuff)
  • wyogal79
    wyogal79 Posts: 69 Member
    So true. I'm tired of seeing people on these forums give advice like "Well for ME, mfp wasn't working. I HAVE to cut out sugar to lose weight. Try cutting sugar out of your diet!" Again, unless you have a special medical condition, you don't HAVE to cut out anything to lose. And are you going to just never eat sugar again for the rest of your life?

    And the scams you have to pay for are even worse.


    If I had to cut sugar out of my diet,I would be screwed! LOL I agree,You don't have to cut out anything..just fit it in with your calorie intake and use moderation. You don't have to deprive yourself at all
  • TheEffort
    TheEffort Posts: 1,028 Member
    Booyah!! To the OP - awesome post.

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  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    limited_edition_zps47a4425a.jpg
  • etoiles_argentees
    etoiles_argentees Posts: 2,827 Member
    I guess I must be way off the radar with trendy weight loss fads....I just realized while reading this thread that Shakeology and Shakeweight are NOT the same thing.

    38efff79-aec8-4612-a81d-d3f372953897_zpsf477d4bd.jpg

    Oh wait, maybe they are. :laugh:

    Hahahaha!
    You kill me.
    Oh, I wish we would have worked at the same location. I don't know that we would have gotten much work done though.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    This is why I hate when people ask or remark about me being on a diet. I tell them that I am just choosing to eat better and they give me a snarky look like I am going to fail. Which is really the opposite. You know, cause their uncles 3rd cousins nephews neighbors boss did the peanut butter and pickled pigs knuckles diet and lost 200lbs in 3 minutes.
    I have pigs knuckles in my diet..........................

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • kdonahue21
    kdonahue21 Posts: 1
    I just started my fitness journey and this was the perfect thing for me to read as I begin. Thank you!
  • blytheny
    blytheny Posts: 63 Member
    Thank you, this was really good to read right now... I have a friend who has recently become a "life coach" for Metalife products, and although her weight loss has been great, and now some of her "clients" are seeing positive results, I can't help but wonder where they will be in a year or two. She's tried to recruit me, even though I only have about 15 more to lose, and I've tried to come up with a number of different polite ways to say, "no thanks, I don't want a diet, I've just changed my relationship to food and now understand the physical science behind it all, and believe it's a "calories in / calories expended" relationship."

    So this was a great reminder to keep up my own good work, keep track of my food, keep moving more & more and just LIVING, not dieting! Thanks!!
  • xsava11x
    xsava11x Posts: 3 Member
    YES! A lady asked my how I lost weight, I told her exercising/lifting. She laughed and said no way she'd do that, too much effort.

    My friend went on the Dr. Bernstein diet because she wants fast results. She gave up on 'eating right' and 'exercising' after a month due to not seeing results. I want to be supportive but I cannot when she is choosing to do it this way.
  • siqiniq
    siqiniq Posts: 237 Member
    Very well written... I needed to read this. Thank you:flowerforyou:

    Well written? Are you kidding?
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,989 Member
    Very well written... I needed to read this. Thank you:flowerforyou:

    Well written? Are you kidding?
    Elaborate on how it should have been written. I usually use the KISS method.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • peeaanuut
    peeaanuut Posts: 359 Member
    Very well written... I needed to read this. Thank you:flowerforyou:

    Well written? Are you kidding?
    Elaborate on how it should have been written. I usually use the KISS method.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

    I think you missed a comma. 2 lashes.

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