why do some succeed and others fail?

Wisegirl4

I have tried to diet so many times and have been a member three times on this site alone not to mention expensive diets, Bernstein, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers to name a few!!! What happens to people that they finally succeed in there weight-loss journey??

Alluminati

They ones that succeed are the ones that never gave up and accept that this is a life style change, not a temporary fix.

handyrunner

I was gonna say something but idea best me to it so ditto

Wisegirl4

Thanks, I think you are right and when I accept that there are no easy fixes and stop the excuses I too will succeed!!!

Cindyinpg

I failed before because I would try to starve and/or deprive myself. Now I eat more, haven't given up any foods and have adopted changes that I can sustain for life. If you can't envision yourself doing something forever, you are far more likely to fail.

Wisegirl4

I failed before because I would try to starve and/or deprive myself. Now I eat more, haven't given up any foods and have adopted changes that I can sustain for life. If you can't envision yourself doing something forever, you are far more likely to fail.

jonnythan

The ones who succeed long-term are the ones smart enough not to sacrifice everything they love and disciplined enough to do things they don't want to do when it's necessary.

Wisegirl4

You look great cindyinpg !!!!

jennyc1270

I agree with the comment that you have to realize it is a lifestyle change and not a temporary event. For me, like with other addicts, I had to hit bottom (literally) and fell and couldn't get my fat *kitten* up off the floor. I think you also have to approach it the same as any other addiction and get to the bottom of why you overeat. Blaming your metabolism or stress or whatever doesn't cut it. Support groups or good therapists are key to working on reasons why you over eat and helping you develop healthy strategies that will work for you. It is hard but doable.

supaflyrobby

Like many other things in life, it all boils down to determination. If you want it bad enough, you will get it.

Cindyinpg

You look great cindyinpg !!!!

Thank you. :flowerforyou:

wolverine66

To me, it was about slow and steady. Incorporating small changes over a long period of time made them more sustainable. Sure it's taken me 1.5 years to drop 35 lbs, but I'm at a point that I think I can keep it going because my old habits are 1.5 years away. I hit bumps, like everyone else, but they don't derail me.

MoreBean13

It's a tortoise-hare situation. The tortoise approach people learn to actually live with the changes they're making along the way, while the hare people's body and mind don't sync up.

Wisegirl4

I agree with the comment that you have to realize it is a lifestyle change and not a temporary event. For me, like with other addicts, I had to hit bottom (literally) and fell and couldn't get my fat *kitten* up off the floor. I think you also have to approach it the same as any other addiction and get to the bottom of why you overeat. Blaming your metabolism or stress or whatever doesn't cut it. Support groups or good therapists are key to working on reasons why you over eat and helping you develop healthy strategies that will work for you. It is hard but doable.

Wow good for you. I am determined to get in this mindset too

TheSlorax

I had to want it and stop settling. I told myself I was done accepting less than I wanted or deserved. that and I am doing this in a way that is enjoyable, fulfilling, and all around awesome.

amosmoses88

I believe its all in your mind set and how mentally strong you are. You have to work on everything while losing weight. Mentally and physically. Because if you just focus on losing weight, you're going to go right back to eating bad and gaining weight. Like when I hit a hard spot last year, I gave up. I told myself there's no use in trying when I just run myself in circles and my best friend lost her son so it was hard on everyone. But don't let your mind tell you that you can't keep going because YOU CAN. It's true, you won't achieve your goals until you're mentally able to tell yourself YOU HAVE TO DO IT. If you allow yourself to think any other way, that's when the fear, anxiety, and emotions creep back in and tell you that you can't. But that's because you feel lost, and you feel theres no way out. I've been there. I know how it feels and I know we BOTH can do it! I'll friend you and keep you motivated! We could all use all the help and motivation we can get!!!

WhoHa42

A lot of people have the desire to be fit but lack the drive. You have to find what drives you. For me it was competing, at first with football and then when it really kicked in was powerlifting. I also know people that have done it for their families because of health risks or guys that have done it simply for girls.

EmmaNilsson77

While I love all the commentary on determination and accepting a new lifestyle... I think education is SO important. Those who are hoping that eating some vaguely smaller amount and working out a little (or way too much!) more than they were but don't really know WHY they are losing will inevitably fail, because they don't know why they were having success in the first place!

Those who do the research, learn what they need to about BMR, TDEE, NEAT, portion sizes, tracking calories in and out... they soon realise that weight loss is a simple mathematical equation that can be replicated each and every time. And THAT is why they can be successful anytime they choose.

handyrunner

While I love all the commentary on determination and accepting a new lifestyle... I think education is SO important. Those who are hoping that eating some vaguely smaller amount and working out a little (or way too much!) more than they were but don't really know WHY they are losing will inevitably fail, because they don't know why they were having success in the first place!

Those who do the research, learn what they need to about BMR, TDEE, NEAT, portion sizes, tracking calories in and out... they soon realise that weight loss is a simple mathematical equation that can be replicated each and every time. And THAT is why they can be successful anytime they choose.

this

prattiger65

While I love all the commentary on determination and accepting a new lifestyle... I think education is SO important. Those who are hoping that eating some vaguely smaller amount and working out a little (or way too much!) more than they were but don't really know WHY they are losing will inevitably fail, because they don't know why they were having success in the first place!

Those who do the research, learn what they need to about BMR, TDEE, NEAT, portion sizes, tracking calories in and out... they soon realise that weight loss is a simple mathematical equation that can be replicated each and every time. And THAT is why they can be successful anytime they choose.

Double this!!!

jennifer_417

They don't quit.

MB_Positif

I've only done this once. I lost 50 pounds the first year I was here and have basically been maintaining for two years. Patience. Simplicity. Consistency.

mygrl4meee

I think half of the battle is being ready and wanting to lose weight is a must. If your not ready to make this lifestyle change then you will keep failing until one day you wake up and want it bad enough.

bajoyba

The ones who succeed long-term are the ones smart enough not to sacrifice everything they love and disciplined enough to do things they don't want to do when it's necessary.

I agree with this.
It took me so long to even TRY to lose weight because I believed I had to starve myself and exercise excessively in order to get where I wanted to be. Once I found MFP and took advice from other successful people, I realized that losing weight and getting fit didn't have to be unpleasant. I learned that if I logged everything I ate, accurately and consistently, I could reach my goals while eating much more than I thought, and without eliminating anything from my diet. I found exercises I liked and did some that I wasn't too crazy about because the end result was worth it.

Some days are good and some days are less than ideal, but I never feel like quitting because I never feel like I'm "on a diet". The only failure is in giving up altogether.

Wisegirl4

While I love all the commentary on determination and accepting a new lifestyle... I think education is SO important. Those who are hoping that eating some vaguely smaller amount and working out a little (or way too much!) more than they were but don't really know WHY they are losing will inevitably fail, because they don't know why they were having success in the first place!

Those who do the research, learn what they need to about BMR, TDEE, NEAT, portion sizes, tracking calories in and out... they soon realise that weight loss is a simple mathematical equation that can be replicated each and every time. And THAT is why they can be successful anytime they choose.
[/quote
Awesome Thanks !!!!!!]

Wisegirl4

The ones who succeed long-term are the ones smart enough not to sacrifice everything they love and disciplined enough to do things they don't want to do when it's necessary.

I agree with this.
It took me so long to even TRY to lose weight because I believed I had to starve myself and exercise excessively in order to get where I wanted to be. Once I found MFP and took advice from other successful people, I realized that losing weight and getting fit didn't have to be unpleasant. I learned that if I logged everything I ate, accurately and consistently, I could reach my goals while eating much more than I thought, and without eliminating anything from my diet. I found exercises I liked and did some that I wasn't too crazy about because the end result was worth it.

Some days are good and some days are less than ideal, but I never feel like quitting because I never feel like I'm "on a diet". The only failure is in giving up altogether.

Naaer

The ones who succeed long-term are the ones smart enough not to sacrifice everything they love and disciplined enough to do things they don't want to do when it's necessary.

I agree with this.
It took me so long to even TRY to lose weight because I believed I had to starve myself and exercise excessively in order to get where I wanted to be. Once I found MFP and took advice from other successful people, I realized that losing weight and getting fit didn't have to be unpleasant. I learned that if I logged everything I ate, accurately and consistently, I could reach my goals while eating much more than I thought, and without eliminating anything from my diet. I found exercises I liked and did some that I wasn't too crazy about because the end result was worth it.

Some days are good and some days are less than ideal, but I never feel like quitting because I never feel like I'm "on a diet". The only failure is in giving up altogether.

Naaer

I agree with THIS...


Reaan

Wisegirl4

I will look at this journey in a different light now

jerbear1962

I have lost and gained probably 1000 pounds over the years. I have done diet after diet. Joined 5 different gyms and still I weigh too much. I'm tired of being fat, I'm sick of being called big guy. I haven't been a good friend on here and have decided It's time to finish this journey I began and live the life I know I desire. I believe some fail because they get caught up in life, I know I did

jonnythan

I should amend my earlier post. Intelligent enough to understand what needs to be sacrifices, and what doesn't - and why. Along with the discipline to do so.