Living The Lifestyle, Tuesday, 8/24/21 Lare Edition

88olds

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion.

Monday - crewahl (Charlie)
Tuesday – 88Olds
Wednesday - newmantjn (todd)
Thursday - misterhub (Greg)
Friday - Al_Howard

Today's Topic: What’s Wrong With weight Loss?

What do you think people get wrong about weight loss. Seems like nearly everyone wants to lose weight but few manage to succeed. Why is that? Where do people get it wrong?

88olds

I think speed kills weight loss. It’s what does most people in. Weight loss has 2 parts, the deficit and living with it. Folks ramp up the most aggressive deficit they can imagine and then try to beat themselves into living with it. In a way it makes sense. If you’re suffering through it, it’s reasonable to want to end the suffering ASAP.

Then they up the ante by making the inability to keep suffering about character. It doesn’t need to be a test of strength. We only need to learn to live with some limits. But because life is always changing the process needs constant adjusting and fine tuning. It takes a lot of time.

crewahl

Expectations - that dreaded gap between desire and reality.

People make the decision to lose weigh on a largely emotional basis. Some event occurs that tips them over the edge from inertia to action. They “commit”, and aggressively go after whatever approach they’ve chosen. Lo and behold, they lose weight - a lot.

Then they lose - a little. And then they lose a little less - maybe “only” one or two pounds. Pretty darn quick, it’s “well, this isn’t worth it!” If they stopped and realized that “only” one pound a week is fifty-two pounds a year, maybe things would be different. But that would fail George's speed test above.

steve0mania

I agree with what's been said so far. I would add that many folks don't spend the early time during weight-loss trying to develop good "habits." Sometimes we do need will-power, and we need to white-knuckle our way through some challenges. However, it's the process we follow day-in and day-out that ultimately cumulate to dictate our weight. It's the old "make the better choice" concept: we don't need to be perfect, but we do need to make better choices most of the time.

Flintwinch

What's wrong with weight loss? Losers have to learn to "live the lifestyle" and "make the better choice." Also, it's applying the general principles of weight loss to your individual needs and goals. When I began my weight loss journey, I read stories about people on the National Weight Loss Registry to see what they did. Then I joined WW and learned practical tips about losing and maintaining weight. Knowledge is power. I know what I need to do, and what fits my individual style, to keep on the weight loss/maintenance road, including the inevitable bumps, cul de sacs, road blocks, detours, dead ends, and other obstacles I will encounter on the journey. Weight loss is as much an art as it is a science.

Al_Howard

Where do people get it wrong? Too many think "one and done". Or, after reaching their goal, they just stop working on it (yes, we know it's actually harder), and when the weight creeps back on (and it usually does), they say , it doesn't work, develop "reasons" why not to try again, and quit trying.
It really does need to become a lifetime commitment.