From 288 to 169 seeing the pic really helps me to keep going

Dianedoessmiles1

@BartBVanBockstaele ,, ,Its at the Patience part most become discouraged. You'd make a wonderful motivational speaker! TY TY TY TY Bart for helping @Catgirlard!!! So appreciated.

@Catgirard ,,, ABSOUTELY COME ON BACK!!! Here's the link. We are now almost done with week 5, but anyone can now join at ANY TIME!!

AFTER you join please remember to ask for a team by clicking on the feed: User: "kaliswalker"
🟢Post Only Here for a Team Seat Request!🟢New members will be added throughout the challenge

if you don't ask for a seat,, LOL remember what happened before? Yup the same, if we do not ask it doesn't happen, so PLEASE ASK for a seat. Which team were you on in the 5%? I was on the Spirited Under Dawgs. There are 8 teams instead of 12. If you'd like to be with a team that has your former members on it, there's no guarantee of it, but please let Ceri know which team you had been on and if they have an opening (newbies go to the team in general that need a newer member for the first round) she'll put you on it.

Here's the link to the 2022 Fall 5% Challenge. HAPPY TO HAVE YOU BACK!!!
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/143596-2022-fall-5-challenge-community-team-plz-join-us

BartBVanBockstaele

Dianedoessmiles1 wrote: »

@BartBVanBockstaele ,, ,Its at the Patience part most become discouraged. You'd make a wonderful motivational speaker! TY TY TY TY Bart for helping @Catgirlard!!! So appreciated.

@Catgirard ,,, ABSOUTELY COME ON BACK!!! Here's the link. We are now almost done with week 5, but anyone can now join at ANY TIME!!

AFTER you join please remember to ask for a team by clicking on the feed: User: "kaliswalker"
🟢Post Only Here for a Team Seat Request!🟢New members will be added throughout the challenge

if you don't ask for a seat,, LOL remember what happened before? Yup the same, if we do not ask it doesn't happen, so PLEASE ASK for a seat. Which team were you on in the 5%? I was on the Spirited Under Dawgs. There are 8 teams instead of 12. If you'd like to be with a team that has your former members on it, there's no guarantee of it, but please let Ceri know which team you had been on and if they have an opening (newbies go to the team in general that need a newer member for the first round) she'll put you on it.

Here's the link to the 2022 Fall 5% Challenge. HAPPY TO HAVE YOU BACK!!!
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/143596-2022-fall-5-challenge-community-team-plz-join-us

Thank you Dianedoessmiles1. I thik you are right, the patience part does many people in, misled as they are that promise "Lose weight FAST!!" and lose "10 pounds in the first week!!!", and then there is the nonsense that calories are rubbish and don't count whereas they absolutely do, and they actually make it extremely easy to estimate how long a diet will take.

Anyway, success with the challenge. I thnk you are doing a fantastic job with it.

Dianedoessmiles1

@BartBVanBockstaele ,,,, Oh if it were that easy oh Absolutely no one would ever be overweight. Everyone wants it immediately. Of course in late Dec/early Jan we'll see the same ole commercials/ads for "lose weight today" the magazines (I rarely look at them now) social media, so many places say you do above. Instantly. If only they were honest "you've eaten and eaten all the stuff you wanted. Do your knees hurt? Your back hurt? Can't walk up a few stairs? Let's be honest you've done to yourself. BUT DO NOT LOSE HOPE!! (Showing those who have lost a bit of weight or even a little before and after pics) YOU CAN get healthier. We are going to say it as it is "With hard work, determination (Will come in time) exercise at your current level or (if they do) and most of us all you need support. No we aren't talking new undergarments, but others who have been where you are. (Flashes more b4 and after pics)."

BUT will they do this? Nahhhhhh. But I know to some I just ask them leading questions, if they want to know more (this is face to face not online) I am way more than willing to help them along the way. I am sure you do too just based on your writing. To reach my yearly goal of 163 lbs I have 5 more lbs to go and 8 weeks to go!! WOOHOO!! I am such a SLOW LOSER!! With so many medical issues, but still Keeping focused.

BartBVanBockstaele

Dianedoessmiles1 wrote: »

"you've eaten and eaten all the stuff you wanted. Do your knees hurt? Your back hurt? Can't walk up a few stairs? Let's be honest you've done to yourself.

I completely agree with that. I always cringe when I hear or read "It's not your fault". With the exception of people who are being forcefed, it most definitely is. No one absorbs weight from the air. The only "breatharians" are con-men or dead. Regardless of the direct and indirect causes of overeating, overeating is the only way we gain fat weight.

BUT will they do this? Nahhhhhh. But I know to some I just ask them leading questions, if they want to know more (this is face to face not online) I am way more than willing to help them along the way. I am sure you do too just based on your writing.

We are of one mind in this. What I did and am still doing may not be acceptable for everyone, but I can say, and can prove, that what I did worked and if people are willing to listen they can at least give it a shot. After all, losing weight is really simple. It is almost never easy, but how often are things that are worth having easy to get? We may be living in a post-truth world, but we are not living in a post-reality world. Even characters in a virtual world have to comply to the realities of that world. Fat weight loss is possible for everyone, there are no known exceptions to that rule.

[quoate]To reach my yearly goal of 163 lbs I have 5 more lbs to go and 8 weeks to go!! WOOHOO!! I am such a SLOW LOSER!! With so many medical issues, but still Keeping focused. [/quote]
I wish you all the perseverance and determination you need. You have come so far. You have all the knowledge and power you need to make it all the way. Keep it up!

jedicloak

Incredible! What and inspiration.

Dianedoessmiles1

@BartBVanBockstaele ,, IF ONLY Dr's were allowed to say it the way it is. I was so fortunate in that the back I saw DID Say it was as it was in part. I do have scoliosis my spine is quite curved, but I DID weigh almost 300 lbs. He took Dr "Bones" to show me exactly how the excess weight was not helping me, but hurting me. I was so angry he did that, but NOT AT HIM, at myself. It just took me time to realize it was at MYSELF. The way you've lost weight works for you, because you wanted it badly enough, same here, same for all of us who are here and not quitting. WE'VE GOT THIS!!!
@Jedicloak,, Awwwww TY!! It wasn't fast, it wasn't easy, ISN'T EASY, but please keep on trying. You'll have days of "WOW I FEEL POWERFUL!" And days of "I am going to eat everything I've ever wanted!" The hard part is finding that middle ground, Please keep on fighting for it. You are worth it. Being a Jedi fan, you have that in you. 😊 The hardest part I think when we hit a plateau, but I love what I was told "your body needs to adjust to the weight you've lost, keep doing what you are, it'll come off again. it may take a bit, but, it will." AND IT does every single time. We are so happy to see new members here!!

BartBVanBockstaele

@Dianedoessmiles1 I completely agree. We should finally let doctors say what they need to say without attacking them for it. After all, they are only the bringers of bad (and occasionally good) news, they do not create it.

There is no "body shaming" when a doctor tells one one is fat. It is a statement of fact. There is no arrogance when a doctor tells one one needs to lose weight. It is a statement of fact. There is no condescension when a doctor tells one that eating three donuts, two hamburgers, two large portions of French fries and a block of cheese is too much. It is a statement of fact. There is no sinister money-grabbing scheme when a doctor tells one one needs to actually take the blood pressure medicine he/she prescribed. It is the best advice a doctor can give in our present state of knowledge.

Yes, we are free to follow the advice or not. But if we don't, it is not the doctor's fault that her/his recommendations don't work if they are not followed. It is our fault, no one else's.

And yes, you are right. I get a lot of negative criticism for what I do. That is fine. I have no problems with it. Actually, I welcome it. If I cannot defend what I do, it is not worth doing. I can defend it very simply, just by looking at the number on the scale. I can also do what you did: look at pictures. I have almost zero pictures of myself, but the one I did find is convincing enough, and so are shrinking clothing sizes.

Not only that, I know how it was done i.e. simply by applying the most basic of scientific principles that we have known since at least the late 1700s thanks to Antoine de Lavoisier.

And so did you. Sure, it is not always easy. It is sometimes darn hard and cruel, but it works. It works for you, it works for me, and there is not a single person on this planet for whom it does not work, except for the dead ones, and they no longer need the advice.

Keep it up!

@Jedicloak, what @Dianedoessmiles1 says is true. You don't need to "believe" anything, you't need to give ther "the benefit of the doubt", she is able to show genuine proof. What she does, works. No, it is not easy. It requires a tiny little bit of knowledge, some willpower, and a lot of patience depending on how much you have to lose. However, it is simple. You do not need to be a rocket scientist to do this. You only need to actually do it. While you may or may not need to lose, maintain or gain weight, the knowledge you require is the same, only the numbers will change a bit. I encourage you wholeheartedly to do it.

Dianedoessmiles1

@BartBVanBockstaele , ,, YO SUCH A LATE Reply I am giving huh? I hit a snag in life. They haven't yet figured out why the harder time breathing (I DECLARE it's a necessary need that I breathe! LOL) that has been so frustrating. See this Dr, who says "nah see this one." it had turned into a 3 circle monkey circus!! I did finally put an end to it this week. I'm seeing cardiologist to say "It lands here. Why can't it be figured out?" Ahhhh the let's not pass the buck! In all fairness to the cardiologist the last time I went "to the other hospital" and not the one she's at. The EMT said if it were his Mom he'd of taken her to the one I said Okay to which isn't the one my cardiologist is at. There are only 2 hospitals in the area, they SHOULD have a SHARING info way with each other, but they do not. I know though she can get into my records now, so I'll ask to her please do that as I am there this coming Weds.

Others should have NO rights to judge you on your decision. I'd look at them and respond with "And if I hadn't, I may not be here. Do you prefer that?" I love the shock value of putting back where it lays ,,, in it's YOUR decision. I've had some further testing, and my regular Dr has figured out parathyroid. Its not allowing the right amount of calcium into my bones though it's in my blood and when they do a T3 or T4 I look good, but it's not at all. I've read with any stomach surgery this is common. Please do keep a very good eye out on yourself. Hopefully your Dr's are following you to the T. You are such a remarkable person. I'll say again you should be a motivational speaker.

Oh I sure do wish Dr's would say it as it is as you did above. "you like to eat what? It's okay to say" have the patient say what they really eat "And today you are here for high blood pressure and back pain? How do you think you've contributed to these?" AMAZINGLY I know someone who says "it runs in my family." which is true, and does in mine too, but then ask "And how did your parents eat?" Sometimes that light bulb goes on, sometimes there's just no electricity in that brain. LOL the light bulb ,, oh sad! In a lot of us, no one has force fed us. Perhaps there's been food insecurity, that's so big, but needs to be addressed.

katiecondy1

You never cease to amaze me. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner...you get down and get up..you keep pushing even when everyone else says STOP..sometimes not the best thing to do by the way!!
You have proven that even with multiple issues you can improve your health..and no getting around a LOT of it is Attitude..that CAN DO...WILL DO...HAVE DONE ...attitude of yours and a lil just a trace of being highly competative..just a tad!!
You even eat veggies now!! (or at least you were)..and less junk food..that was a biggie!!
You get a gold star Gal...thank you for sharing your walk with us to help and encourage all of us on our way!!

BartBVanBockstaele

Dianedoessmiles1 wrote: »

@BartBVanBockstaele , ,, YO SUCH A LATE Reply I am giving huh? I hit a snag in life. They haven't yet figured out why the harder time breathing (I DECLARE it's a necessary need that I breathe! LOL) that has been so frustrating. See this Dr, who says "nah see this one." it had turned into a 3 circle monkey circus!! I did finally put an end to it this week. I'm seeing cardiologist to say "It lands here. Why can't it be figured out?" Ahhhh the let's not pass the buck! In all fairness to the cardiologist the last time I went "to the other hospital" and not the one she's at. The EMT said if it were his Mom he'd of taken her to the one I said Okay to which isn't the one my cardiologist is at. There are only 2 hospitals in the area, they SHOULD have a SHARING info way with each other, but they do not. I know though she can get into my records now, so I'll ask to her please do that as I am there this coming Weds.

Others should have NO rights to judge you on your decision. I'd look at them and respond with "And if I hadn't, I may not be here. Do you prefer that?" I love the shock value of putting back where it lays ,,, in it's YOUR decision. I've had some further testing, and my regular Dr has figured out parathyroid. Its not allowing the right amount of calcium into my bones though it's in my blood and when they do a T3 or T4 I look good, but it's not at all. I've read with any stomach surgery this is common. Please do keep a very good eye out on yourself. Hopefully your Dr's are following you to the T. You are such a remarkable person. I'll say again you should be a motivational speaker.

Oh I sure do wish Dr's would say it as it is as you did above. "you like to eat what? It's okay to say" have the patient say what they really eat "And today you are here for high blood pressure and back pain? How do you think you've contributed to these?" AMAZINGLY I know someone who says "it runs in my family." which is true, and does in mine too, but then ask "And how did your parents eat?" Sometimes that light bulb goes on, sometimes there's just no electricity in that brain. LOL the light bulb ,, oh sad! In a lot of us, no one has force fed us. Perhaps there's been food insecurity, that's so big, but needs to be addressed.

I am so sorry to read that your problem hasn't been figured out yet. I hope you will get a solution to your breathing problem. It can be really debilitating and scary and it is an all-too common problem. Almost every report I read includes it as a symptom.

You also point out another all-too common big problem: that of medical communication. It is arguably far worse today than it was in the past. We have the current privacy hysteria to thank for that. You seem to have solved that problem, at least in part. Keep up the good work!

Where weight loss is concerned, we also still have a lot to learn about exact mechanisms and "best practices" but what we know with as absolute a certainty as we can hope to ever get, is that a calorie deficit is guaranteed to cause fat weight loss and that a calorie excess is required for fat weight gain.

And really, anything else is just skirmishes in the margin that do not change the reality of that one certainty. At most, the problem is no more complicated than finding a way to achieve an energy deficit that we can live with for a long time, quite possibly until we snuff it.

Anyone who says otherwise is simply not aligned with reality. I encourage anyone who does not believe that to take a good look at people on a hunger strike: how come they lose weight and then die? If energy intake is not important how is it even possible that no hunger striker has ever been found to come out morbidly obese instead of a very dead skinny corpse? Anyone who can answer that question has all the knowledge they need to lose weight.

All we need, is that people finally stop listening to the quacks who are telling them what they want to hear and start accepting that simple truth and start living in accordance with what logic and reality dictate.

You are doing the right thing. Keep it up.

I found this point of view documentary a while ago. You don't need it, but it might help some people realise that losing weight and keeping it off is possible, and that the people who did it and are doing it, are not some rare breed of superhumans with lucky genes, but just normal people who have "seen the light" and are willing to do what is necessary. It also nicely illustrates the fact that we are all different:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLL-A1B8Uzo

Dianedoessmiles1

@Katiecondy1 ,, Awwww GF you are way to cute kiddo!! SO HAPPY you'll be back with our team on the 2023 Winter 5% Challenge!!! I'll need to go into this post and put the updated link as soon as I know it's okay to do so from the OALs. You also have QUITE THE STORY of success!! Would you like to join us on writing yours up and plugging in the 2023 Winter 5% Challenge? If so, wanna email me cause we want to draw more members from MFP into the 5% Team. Many are used to Groups, but we operate differently. So many from MFP keep saying about the 5% Challenge they've never had such tremendous support on MFP and are so happy with the success they are having, the friendships they are forming, the acceptance. Of course I find on MFP as it was SPARKS the acceptance is very very good anyways. DELIGHTED YOU'LL Be back with on the PS4L team in the 5% community.

BartBVanBockstaele wrote: »

Dianedoessmiles1 wrote: »

@BartBVanBockstaele , ,, YO SUCH A LATE Reply I am giving huh? I hit a snag in life. They haven't yet figured out why the harder time breathing (I DECLARE it's a necessary need that I breathe! LOL) that has been so frustrating. See this Dr, who says "nah see this one." it had turned into a 3 circle monkey circus!! I did finally put an end to it this week. I'm seeing cardiologist to say "It lands here. Why can't it be figured out?" Ahhhh the let's not pass the buck! In all fairness to the cardiologist the last time I went "to the other hospital" and not the one she's at. The EMT said if it were his Mom he'd of taken her to the one I said Okay to which isn't the one my cardiologist is at. There are only 2 hospitals in the area, they SHOULD have a SHARING info way with each other, but they do not. I know though she can get into my records now, so I'll ask to her please do that as I am there this coming Weds.

Others should have NO rights to judge you on your decision. I'd look at them and respond with "And if I hadn't, I may not be here. Do you prefer that?" I love the shock value of putting back where it lays ,,, in it's YOUR decision. I've had some further testing, and my regular Dr has figured out parathyroid. Its not allowing the right amount of calcium into my bones though it's in my blood and when they do a T3 or T4 I look good, but it's not at all. I've read with any stomach surgery this is common. Please do keep a very good eye out on yourself. Hopefully your Dr's are following you to the T. You are such a remarkable person. I'll say again you should be a motivational speaker.

Oh I sure do wish Dr's would say it as it is as you did above. "you like to eat what? It's okay to say" have the patient say what they really eat "And today you are here for high blood pressure and back pain? How do you think you've contributed to these?" AMAZINGLY I know someone who says "it runs in my family." which is true, and does in mine too, but then ask "And how did your parents eat?" Sometimes that light bulb goes on, sometimes there's just no electricity in that brain. LOL the light bulb ,, oh sad! In a lot of us, no one has force fed us. Perhaps there's been food insecurity, that's so big, but needs to be addressed.

I am so sorry to read that your problem hasn't been figured out yet. I hope you will get a solution to your breathing problem. It can be really debilitating and scary and it is an all-too common problem. Almost every report I read includes it as a symptom.

You also point out another all-too common big problem: that of medical communication. It is arguably far worse today than it was in the past. We have the current privacy hysteria to thank for that. You seem to have solved that problem, at least in part. Keep up the good work!

Where weight loss is concerned, we also still have a lot to learn about exact mechanisms and "best practices" but what we know with as absolute a certainty as we can hope to ever get, is that a calorie deficit is guaranteed to cause fat weight loss and that a calorie excess is required for fat weight gain.

And really, anything else is just skirmishes in the margin that do not change the reality of that one certainty. At most, the problem is no more complicated than finding a way to achieve an energy deficit that we can live with for a long time, quite possibly until we snuff it.

Anyone who says otherwise is simply not aligned with reality. I encourage anyone who does not believe that to take a good look at people on a hunger strike: how come they lose weight and then die? If energy intake is not important how is it even possible that no hunger striker has ever been found to come out morbidly obese instead of a very dead skinny corpse? Anyone who can answer that question has all the knowledge they need to lose weight.

All we need, is that people finally stop listening to the quacks who are telling them what they want to hear and start accepting that simple truth and start living in accordance with what logic and reality dictate.

You are doing the right thing. Keep it up.

I found this point of view documentary a while ago. You don't need it, but it might help some people realize that losing weight and keeping it off is possible, and that the people who did it and are doing it, are not some rare breed of superhumans with lucky genes, but just normal people who have "seen the light" and are willing to do what is necessary. It also nicely illustrates the fact that we are all different:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLL-A1B8Uzo

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS! Where weight loss is concerned, we also still have a lot to learn about exact mechanisms and "best practices" but what we know with as absolute a certainty as we can hope to ever get, is that a calorie deficit is guaranteed to cause fat weight loss and that a calorie excess is required for fat weight gain.

And really, anything else is just skirmishes in the margin that do not change the reality of that one certainty. At most, the problem is no more complicated than finding a way to achieve an energy deficit that we can live with for a long time, quite possibly until we snuff it.

Anyone who says otherwise is simply not aligned with reality.

Ohhh Hey we need to be on TV and just saying it AS IT IS!!

I'm so sorry that the money hungry lawyers have added into the Dr's not being able to say it as they wish they could. Have you ever asked your regular Dr. if they wish they could just look at a patient, look into their eyes and softly say "You are the cause of your problems, but lets find a solution that you can work with." I so BADLY want to ask my Dr. if they'd be willing to have patients who volunteer they want to lose weight, but do not know how, to have a class FREE OF CHARGE. My Drs office is in a location I DO NOT LIKE and I NEVER Want to be there at night, it's in the city, in a poorer section, I only go there because DANG THEY ARE GOOD!!! They bring in new residents every 2 to 4 years. SO you are always getting someone new, but they follow you so well when they are there. Since I am not a person with any easy issues, the new ones come in, they get so excited that I am not in their for a cold type thing or just take a blood pressure med. LOL The newest one is onto something, more about that at another time, but her eyes got that I AM SO EXCITED LOOK, and the blood test confirms it!! Now to find out what's what with this. It was THANKS to my "RUDE" Back Dr, saying to me as it was, which both TICKED ME OFF SO MUCH, but I KNEW He was right. That got me going into caring about my weight. I'm so thankful to this day. I think I'll write him a card of THANKS!!

BartBVanBockstaele

Dianedoessmiles1 wrote: »

I'm so sorry that the money hungry lawyers have added into the Dr's not being able to say it as they wish they could. Have you ever asked your regular Dr. if they wish they could just look at a patient, look into their eyes and softly say "You are the cause of your problems, but lets find a solution that you can work with." I so BADLY want to ask my Dr. if they'd be willing to have patients who volunteer they want to lose weight, but do not know how, to have a class FREE OF CHARGE. My Drs office is in a location I DO NOT LIKE and I NEVER Want to be there at night, it's in the city, in a poorer section, I only go there because DANG THEY ARE GOOD!!! They bring in new residents every 2 to 4 years. SO you are always getting someone new, but they follow you so well when they are there. Since I am not a person with any easy issues, the new ones come in, they get so excited that I am not in their for a cold type thing or just take a blood pressure med. LOL The newest one is onto something, more about that at another time, but her eyes got that I AM SO EXCITED LOOK, and the blood test confirms it!! Now to find out what's what with this. It was THANKS to my "RUDE" Back Dr, saying to me as it was, which both TICKED ME OFF SO MUCH, but I KNEW He was right. That got me going into caring about my weight. I'm so thankful to this day. I think I'll write him a card of THANKS!!

I'm afraid it is not just the lawyers, but also patient aggression. Many patients have become really dangerously aggressive with medical staff, from reception desk people to brain surgeons, to the point that they have good reasons to be genuinely afraid of telling patients what they need to hear but do not want to hear. As an example, at the window of the ophthalmology outpatient clinic in Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto, there is a sign essentially begging for people to remain polite.

The trend of not telling patients what they need to hear has become so pervasive it is now everywhere. I remember an episode of the BBC series "Trust me, I'm a doctor" where someone, a surgeon no less, was advancing the claim that when you are fat, it is not your fault. Well, while "fault" may or may not be the right word, reality remains that becoming fat is only possible if one ingests more energy than one needs and that losing fat weight is only possible when one ingests less energy than one needs, unless a surgeon cuts it away, which is not a particularly brilliant way to achieve weight loss.

The good news about this is that they are absolutes. It can't get much simpler than that. It can be hard to hear, hard to apply what follows from it, but the message is simple enough. And sometimes, unfortunately only sometimes, documentaries for the public will actually admit that.

Thinking about this, I just rediscovered an older BBC documentary, "How to be slim" (part of a series that was called "The truth about food") that says it as it is:

The hard truth is, if you are overweight, you have taken in more energy in your food than your body has used. The excess calories have been stockpiled as fat. If calories in are more than calories out, you will put on weight. If you're fat, you just eat too much.

Screen shot:

Sometimes, obviously, reality is being published. In fact, isn't that the very reason for the existence of MFP?

The main problem, I think, remains simply that bringers of bad news are not loved, but reviled, sometimes to the point of murder. That is a problem everywhere, but it is possibly nowhere more so than in the US, where guns are so prevalent. I am not sure I would be willing to take the risk of being shot, simply for telling a patient what he/she needs really needs to hear.

There is an awful lot about weight loss that we still have to learn, but as long as people do not accept the basic reality, there will be little hope for success, in my opinion. It is high time to bring science back to the schools. Science may or may not be "cool" and "fun" but is about the pursuit of knowledge about reality. Regardless of who may or may not like to hear what is true, everybody should have free access to it. Knowledge about reality should not be a secret for the privileged. It should be a human right.

As for your doctor, I think he would be delighted to see that his message was heard, received, understood and followed. He did the right thing giving you the message, and you did the right thing by taking it to heart!