The 5 Stages of Weight Loss

nic_27_grassisgreener

This idea recently came to me...if anyone out there spends a lot of time lurking in these forums, you may notice certain trends as well. I began to relate them in my mind to the "5 stages of grief". I've collected a set of "quotes" - they aren't actually quotes - they are generalizations of things that I've seen here. I post this for two reasons:
1. For humors sake.
2. An attempt to be helpful. I've made plenty of mistakes especially in the denial/bargaining areas. If anyone can "skip" straight to Acceptance by reading this - great!

Denial:
“I cut out all sugar/processed foods/meat/carbs/gluten/caffeine/dairy and I feel great!”
“I don’t even miss pizza/sweets/carbs AT ALL!”
“I am eating a completely CLEAN diet – processed foods are killing us all slowly”
“I’m exercising every day for 4 hours per day, I love it!”
“I’m eating 1200 calories per day, it’s the only way I can lose weight.”
“I need to lose 20 pounds in one month. What should I eat?”

Anger:
“Why aren’t I losing weight!? I am doing everything PERFECT, except on my cheat day/except on the weekends/except I don’t weigh my food.”
“I have been doing low carb/IF/clean eating/keto/WW for a month and I’ve GAINED weight!”

Bargaining:
“Has anyone tried Apple Cider Vinegar/Ginger Tea/this Detox/BulletProof Coffee/eating only bananas/coconut oil/green smoothies/this Cleanse/essential oils? What were your RESULTS?”

Depression:
“I gained 3 pounds overnight, help!”
“I’m only eating 1200 calories per day, and I don’t eat back my exercise calories, why am I so hungry all the time?”
“I ate fast-food/sweets/over my calories and I feel really guilty.”
“I’ve hit a plateau…of 2 weeks.”

Acceptance:
Realizing that it doesn’t have to be so difficult or complicated, slow and steady wins the race. A proven way to lose weight (as shown by the members of this sight) is to eat at a moderate calorie deficit (long term), with a balanced range of foods, including ones that you enjoy, without depriving yourself from entire food groups (unless for medical reasons). Realizing exercise is for health and muscle retention, not for weight loss, and the best kind is any form/amount that is sustainable and enjoyable to you. Realizing that weight loss is not linear – your body weight isn’t exactly matched with body FAT and your weight can go up and down for so many reasons.
Here are some good threads, and there are plenty more pinned:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1234699/logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10202381/weight-loss-scams-and-how-to-spot-them
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10499571/fad-diets-and-general-recommendations#latest

Lillymoo01

I was really unsure of how your post would pan out after reading the headline but you have nailed it. Well done.

Orphia

Bravo! Great post!!

Quoting the last bit and spacing it out because I really don't want anyone to miss the main points:

nic_27_grassisgreener wrote: »

Acceptance:
Realizing that it doesn’t have to be so difficult or complicated, slow and steady wins the race.

A proven way to lose weight (as shown by the members of this sight) is to eat at a moderate calorie deficit (long term), with a balanced range of foods, including ones that you enjoy, without depriving yourself from entire food groups (unless for medical reasons).

Realizing exercise is for health and muscle retention, not for weight loss, and the best kind is any form/amount that is sustainable and enjoyable to you.

Realizing that weight loss is not linear – your body weight isn’t exactly matched with body FAT and your weight can go up and down for so many reasons.

Here are some good threads, and there are plenty more pinned:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1234699/logging-accurately-step-by-step-guide/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10084670/it-is-unlikely-that-you-will-lose-weight-consistently-i-e-weight-loss-is-not-linear/p1
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10202381/weight-loss-scams-and-how-to-spot-them
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10499571/fad-diets-and-general-recommendations#latest

Again, great post.

PAV8888

Whot? Who are you and why do you sound so... "sensible"?

Falklang

Fantastic and spot on!

sexymamadraeger

Too funny!

ladyreva78

This is, very sadly, so true

Nicely written!

melbowater

There’s another stage for me

Pigheadedness

Refuse to log weight on mfp, because “I’m only 5 from goal” (example) and don’t need to do this properly again the way I did before

Fails every time

tar2323

Spot on - nice post which I wish some of the FB diet group girls would read and recognise.

nic_27_grassisgreener

Thanks everyone!

Orphia

Have a bump from me.

150poundsofme

Duchy82

Awesome!

brightresolve

Ooh, found this totally by accident and SO PLEASED! Super true and too funny, may make me more tolerant of and patient with the "5 stages" as I see them drift through the forums...

paulandrachelk

What a hoot! So true-love"pigheaded"

Kandisn29

Really good!!

Urbancowbarn

Bump. Because it’s so good.

steph_is_happy

I understand and enjoyed reading your post! It is well written.
However, please take a moment to try to understand the mindset of the countless number of people who struggle with weight and are on MFP in hopes of a healthier life. There is an alarming number of children who grow up without proper health education/diets/familial support... They turn into adults that don’t really have a clue about how calories, carbs, macros, strength training, cardio, gluten etc. actually works. There is a vast amount of conflicting information out there and it’s frustrating for a person who has struggled their entire life to be able to sort through the good, the bad, and the ugly. I am 32 years old and am just now FINALLY figuring things out (at least I think so anyways!).
I chuckled a few times and shook my head to myself while reading your post. But then I felt sad because it’s true for not only myself, but for millions of others as well.

nic_27_grassisgreener

@steph_is_happy I totally agree with you, thanks for the input