Giving up?

Pinoy_Pal

Unfortunately we now live in an "on demand" world. All these corporations have spent their billions well, providing us for almost generations now, instant gratification. From the inception of t.v. dinners to Netflix, from drive-throughs to on-line {fill in the blank}. All these forms of "wanting something NOW," have practically killed off valuable intangible tools such as patience. There will always be in life, situations where your PATIENCE can be your greatest tool.

So if you expect to look like you belong on the cover of Vogue after dedicating only a week or two in the gym or on MFP, then maybe you should give up and re-evaluate whether or not you have the right tools.

My $0.02

LG61820

I think sometimes we fail to realize that we'll likely never be cured of this problem we have dealing with food & fighting lethargy. I hope that now after battling weight my whole life I can "get it" that I will always, always, always need to be on guard. I can't have my trigger foods in the house because of what happens when I do. I must be active every day because of what happens when I'm not.

Another fact that's hard to deal with is that I didn't gain the weight in 6 weeks, I'm not gonna take it all off in 6 weeks. I hope and pray I can take it off a little faster than I gained it, but I have to quit looking for miraculous weight-loss numbers.

As far as folks wanting to give up and quit MFP, that may be a call for someone to encourage them. Perhaps they get no encouragement at home and may even have their efforts sabotaged by friends & family. I think it's less than helpful to call them "weak" or other such names.

BigBoneSista

I posted here a week or so ago saying i am losing my motivation, I got a view replies encouraging me and what not, then i got one saying like I can only do it myself..

So yeah, THANKS!

I know its up to me, but it IS complete lifestyle change and its HARD. I'm trying. I really really am.

I was/am just looking for someone to tell me to keep going. I can only tell it to myself so much :-p

I tell people to learn how to support themselves all the time. The reason why? Because we are only words of support. In the end you will be battling yourself. You have to find that inner strength to get through those days. Its just like relying on a buddy to go with you to the gym. One day that buddy is going to back out...then they will back out another day. Are you going to be able to motivate yourself to keep going to the gym alone without them? Or are you going to fail because your support isn't there? Support from others is good but while you are being supported you have to gain some inner strength. Some people tend to use support as a crutch and they never learn to walk on their own.

FearAnLoathing

Well said!couldnt agree more!

sdwelk11

If people fail, it does *not* mean they are weak. Again, people are hardwired to gain (and keep) weight on their bodies. They are doing what nature is telling them to do.

Yes, it is possible (and necessary) to overcome these natural urges to eat so much food that is bad for us. But calling people weak for not doing it is like calling them weak for wanting sex or social support. These are things all humans want, it is NATURAL! Humans are built to survive some very difficult conditions, including famine. The humans who put on weight and keep it on are the same ones who 300 years ago would have survived the best.

We are now in a time where food is *too* abundant. It's very, very, VERY difficult for many people to change their lifestyles and ignore everything their bodies are telling them.

Yes! They *can* change! But calling them weak for finding it difficult is definitely not helping.

If anyone has time for a documentary, I highly recommend "Why Are Thin People Not Fat". It deals with this subject very well, I think. You can watch it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6-A0iHSdcA

If you are speaking in regards to me using the word *weak* i just want to clarify that it was simply a metaphor to distinguish between those that are strongwilled and can do this without thinking they cannot and those that arent as strongwilled. Don't overthink it! or take it personally.

tgburkert

I agree that it's frustrating and we all want everyone to be the best they can be, but my bet is that it took a few attempts at weight loss before most of us really became willing to do all that's required. I think it just takes what it takes, and oftentimes that means a lot of false starts.

wpij25

I posted here a week or so ago saying i am losing my motivation, I got a view replies encouraging me and what not, then i got one saying like I can only do it myself..

So yeah, THANKS!

I know its up to me, but it IS complete lifestyle change and its HARD. I'm trying. I really really am.

I was/am just looking for someone to tell me to keep going. I can only tell it to myself so much :-p

EXACTLY WHY I OFFER SUPPORT WHEN I READ/REPLY TO THESE TYPES OF POSTS!!!
It IS HARD!
WE NEED to be understanding!!

305muscle

its like saying they gonna jump off a building over and over again cops get there and talks them out of jumping I say if you really were gonna jump you just DO it same thing with giving up on the fitness lifestyle after a week or 2 after they kinda started doing some improvement and every few days they post"im giving up"im quiting" "i suck" listen jump off already stop looking for people to talk you out of it ...EITHER YOU FIX YOUR BODY OR YOU LEAVE IT TO ROT IN LARD

Spitfirex007

I kinda agree with you. I admit I got lazy and let my weight get out of control. And now I gotta bust my *kitten* in the gym and be a little more strict on what I eat. But I don't see what is so hard about it really. Eat right and take 5-6 hours out of your week to do a little exercise. If you seriously are ready to quit after 2 weeks, you clearly aren't that serious to begin with. So why waste people's time *****ing about it? I'd rather see useful post and information.

robin52077

I agree on all these points:

They are just secretly crying out for help if they post about quitting, if they were serious, they wouldn't have posted, they would have just not logged on.

It is not ok to just tell people "it's ok to cheat, just do better tomorrow" if they do it over and over and eat junk every day. But if it is a one time thing it IS ok, and they will do better tomorrow. It's a lifestyle change not a diet. And special occasions, holidays, and pizza nights will be in my life till I die, but ONCE in a while, not daily. Those times are ok.

And my biggest point:

If you go "red" on your calories you did NOT FAIL! Especially if you are set for 2 lbs a week! At 2 lbs a week loss you are in a 1000 calorie deficit. If you go 500 in the red that day, YOU STILL ARE IN A DEFICIT, just at the 1 lb mark instead of 2.
People think they will GAIN weight if they go over their calories, but they will still LOSE unless they go so far over that they eat their whole deficit.
If you have trouble staying green, change it to 1 lb or even half a lb. THEN try to stay green. Perhaps you binged because your body was STARVING! ("you" is a generic term not aimed at anyone in this thread)

toots99

Shamelessly bumping my own topic to help others not to give up! :flowerforyou: