Things I've Learned...

Clobern80
Clobern80 Posts: 714 Member
edited November 2024 in Getting Started
So I have "dieted" and "changed my lifestyle" more times than I can count. I can honestly say that this time is different. It probably sounds cliche, but it is something I truly feel. A few things I've realized along the way:

1) Dieting doesn't work. As you can read almost everywhere on here, you can't just go on a diet, you need to change the way you live. Lifestyle change, change of mind, whatever it takes. I honestly view food differently now than I have for more than 30 years. And it is working for me. I used to crave foods I didn't have, and now I don't crave anything. I fuel my body and enjoy it while doing so.

2) Exercise is NOT required. But it is helpful. If you want to be healthier in all ways, exercise is a great way to do it. If you want to be stronger, you have to exercise. It doesn't ever hurt (unless you physically can't) to do exercise, but it is not required. The majority of the change will come with what you eat (or don't eat).

3) Disappointment happens. In the past, I ignored days where I gained weight, but I actually log it now. I weigh once per week and if I gain, I log it. It shows the TRUE way that weight loss happens. It is probably just a fluctuation, but in the end... it may be I am over-consuming food or overestimating my exercise (although it all comes from my FitBit for me which can still be inaccurate). It gives me a chance to see the historical pattern and make changes.

4) Changes don't happen overnight. Or even every week. It takes time, and you have to be patient. Don't get disappointed when the scale stays or goes up. Don't get down on yourself if you have a day that you go over your calories. Don't let a drawback actually draw you back. Keep moving forward.

5) You will probably never be satisfied, but just remember, if you are trying to make a change, you ARE making a change.

There are probably a thousand other bullet points I could add, but I figure I'll stop now so people don't have to read too much :tongue:

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