Great dieting realities

webbed1

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/13897378/ns/today-today_health

Note the #1.

I don't care what "plan" you follow, but if you are obese (just look in the mirror naked, don't worry about precise definitions) and are currently eating say 3000 calories, then if you change carbs or fats or this or that and STILL eat 3000 calories, guess what? You'll still look that way. And weigh the same, whether you get on the scale or not.

Sorry. Reality is important when trying to overcome nature. Science, technology, building airplanes, satellites, bridges, administering medications, you name it, success is ALL predicated on measurements. Its ALWAYS about the numbers. Measure yourself, weigh yourself, look in the mirror, measure your calories, find a sensible way to not eat as much. If you have medical conditions or take certain meds, work with your doc, I understand such conditions could complicate things but don't be absurd. I watched a lady recently eat 4x as much pasta and cheese as I ever would but then told me it was hard for her to diet because her medications slowed down her metabolism. I guess they didn't slow down her appetite...

I am reminded of the philosophical question, does a tree make a sound in the woods if there is noone to hear it? Think of it this way. Will you weigh less if you just don't get on the scale? Will you eat less just because you don't quantify your intake? Hucksters have lied to you, this authority will tell you the truth. Its common sensicality may disturb you, but it won't disappoint you.

ashlinmarie

It's a hard reality, but is true. I had a friend in high school that complained he couldn't get a girlfriend because of his weight. Yet while he was complaining to me, he was sitting on the computer, watching tv, and eating a bag of chips. I told him to get off his *kitten*, and start running up and down the stairs of his apartment every day a few times (6 flights) and it might solve the issue. He never spoke to me again, but I saw him a few years later and he looked much better and healthier. I know poor eating habits and portion control got me here, but at least I have enough sense to do something about it when I couldn't take looking at myself anymore.

Purple_Orchid_87

i dont think there are many people out there who 'diet' and eat the same kcals as they did before

my nutritionalist asked me to keep a food diary for 1 month of my normal intake, everyday was over 4000kcals and the highest was over 7000kcals - IN ONE DAY

now im changing my lifestyle, cutting out the prepared meals and trying to cook every night, taking in fresh fruit and veg and eating breakfast, I am struggling to eat the 1630 that MFP has set for me

I have lost 24lbs over 8 weeks, but in honesty 20 of them were in the first 5 weeks, then i stalled for 2 weeks and then list week i've lost again because i upped my exercise

if there is anyone on here who eats the same number of kcals now than they did before they changed their lifestyle, i'd like to talk to then about their journey

kittybitz79

interesting thanks for posting.

SeasideOasis

I am sadly part of the "medication" weight gain population, but I do not use that as an excuse. Did the weight medication add a lot of the weight? Yes. Did I chose to keep eating the the way I was able to prior to medications instead of heading off a problem. Yes. Whose fault is it? My own.

Admitting you have a problem is very seriously half of the battle. I love food. However, as I go through my journey, Ive been finding that food, when prepared with fresh ingredients made from hand, is SO much better than processed foods.

I'm not perfect. I haven't really lost weight yet.

I have learned more about what foods to eat. I have learned how to cook a billion times better (the boyfriend has commented on how far Ive come and now loves when Im in the kitchen. Its no longer the same old same old foods, so dinner is actually fun again). I have seen what I need to do.

Now, starting Monday actually, Im really getting back on my own band wagon. Working out more. Eat clean (more frequently). See the weight finally come off.

ashlinmarie

My mom was part of the weight gain due to medication. But she did fix it and lost 76 lbs. She's now been between 125-128lbs for 2 years. Not bad for 42. It's all about hard work and good nutrition. And as they said, don't deprive yourself of sweets. I've failed dieting countless times because all I would eat was grilled skinless chicken breast and salads. I forgot to enjoy myself and would give up or binge. I still eat the chicken breast and salad, but I've added so many more foods to my diet that its easy to stick with it.

guppygirl322

LOL! I used to have this conversation all the time with my husband. He used to tell me that fruit was okay, then eat 3 oranges after lunch. Just eat ONE orange, I'd say. A calorie is a calorie. But it's FRUIT, he'd say. Okay, 100 calories of fruit won't clog your arteries the way 100 calories of saturated fat will but it will still stick to your butt! Needless to say, he FINALLY stopped eating 3 oranges after lunch, unless he's really hungry.

fteale

Yup, I agree. But eating is an emotional thing for many people, so while they may know they eat too much, doing something about that is hard.

webbed1

fteale--I understand there are many reasons why people overeat. They may have to get some help with that underlying cause. My biggest point here was sharing the article that the debunked many myths that keep people from achieving their goals. We participate in this community to share, support, and to also help hold each other accountable. The main tool on this site is a food diary that counts calories and provides the macro nutrient distribution. The purpose is for you to be aware of how much food you eat; as you see patterns, it helps you identify what YOU need to consider.

As for the post that they don't know many people on a diet that still eat the same amount of food as before they started dieting; ok, if that is your experience, then good, you are around people that have changed the crucial driver of being overweight. I am happy to know those people will eventually reach their goals.

But people ask me questions and when they come back with their food diary I am simply astonished to see how it doesn't match what I see them eat (like at work) or in their Atkins glee, how while they say they have held to 20 "net" carbs daily for several months, I still cannot detect any change in their appearance and they hem and haw when I ask about do they weigh themselves once a week or do they maintain their food diary. I've seen these same people devour a 24oz porter house steak and a quarter pound of cheese in ONE meal plus 5-6 glasses of wine.

Calories in minus calories out. Simple, yet I agree sometimes hard to do. But be brave and think about jenny craig or weight watchers or similar; think about it, their plan works if people stick to it because they CONTROL CALORIE INTAKE. I am not promoting those plans, you can buy your own food and stick to it and get the same or better results. But Measure and monitor and make changes.