Best Advice Ever??

FitRodr

I was reading a post from a new MFP. It made me think about what advice I could give. What words of wisdom or advice would you give someone who is struggling with where they are or just starting on this journey?

Me: You can do this.... one bite, one meal, one day at a time

chevy88grl

Take one day at a time. Don't worry about what happened yesterday or wonder how you'll do tomorrow. Focus on making TODAY the best you can make it.

Rest days are important in your overall well being. Use them and don't feel guilty for needing them.

Here's another one:

Everything in moderation. Not allowing yourself some of the things you enjoy will make you resentful. Learn to eat smaller portions of it - log it - and move on. Don't binge on it, but have a serving. It won't ruin your entire day. If I want something - I eat it (the serving size), log it and move on with my day. Trying to get rid of a craving by eating other foods usually results in me eating WAY more calories in "healthy" food when I should have just eaten what I was craving to begin with!

ajfranzen77

My new personal motto is something I saw on here, " I may not be there YET, But I'm close today than I was yesterday!" I know I still a ways to go, but I keep looking forward and know that I WILL get there someday!

McKayMachina

1. Just *NET* what MFP tells you to. Seriously. Don't complicate it. It's easy.

2. Google it first. I promise you there's a good chance the internet already knows.

3. Truvia. It makes things sweet instead of sugar and it has zero calories.

4. Accept the discomfort of hunger. Anyone who says, "If you're still hungry, you're not eating enough!" is a moron. I'm still hungry because I've been stuffing my face for ten years. Time for a new approach.

5. A week at the same weight is NOT a plateau. You are not plateauing. Overall trends are what count so don't be so quick to change up your routine.

6. Natural metabolism boosters are your friend. Coffee, EGCG (green tea compound) and coconut oil speed up metabolism AND act as appetite suppressants. They're great.

7. Make goals but don't make yourself sick with stress if you happen not to lose a million pounds in a month. Be realistic and accept that you'll get there when you get there.

8. Be positive. Find excuses to enjoy this journey. Make it your hobby, even. Keep your head up and your feet on the ground because perception is key.

9. Know that you DESERVE the outcome of this healthier lifestyle. You really do. So give yourself the gift of success.

10. I don't have another one so here's an entry for those of us who like nice round numbers in lists.

tuskegee4

Be consistent and you will be successful!

alisons7598

My motto since I started this has always been one step at a time, one foot in front of the other. I needed to focus on that for 2 reasons. One I could barely walk due to back problems so it was literally one step at a time for me and the other was with having to lose 165 pounds I knew I couldn't focus on the big number or I'd get discouraged. Anytime I felt like giving up I just repeated this over and over.

ajanmillie

1. Just *NET* what MFP tells you to. Seriously. Don't complicate it. It's easy.

2. Google it first. I promise you there's a good chance the internet already knows.

3. Truvia. It makes things sweet instead of sugar and it has zero calories.

4. Accept the discomfort of hunger. Anyone who says, "If you're still hungry, you're not eating enough!" is a moron. I'm still hungry because I've been stuffing my face for ten years. Time for a new approach.

5. A week at the same weight is NOT a plateau. You are not plateauing. Overall trends are what count so don't be so quick to change up your routine.

6. Natural metabolism boosters are your friend. Coffee, EGCG (green tea compound) and coconut oil speed up metabolism AND act as appetite suppressants. They're great.

7. Make goals but don't make yourself sick with stress if you happen not to lose a million pounds in a month. Be realistic and accept that you'll get there when you get there.

8. Be positive. Find excuses to enjoy this journey. Make it your hobby, even. Keep your head up and your feet on the ground because perception is key.

9. Know that you DESERVE the outcome of this healthier lifestyle. You really do. So give yourself the gift of success.

10. I don't have another one so here's an entry for those of us who like nice round numbers in lists.

I love this list. I am not just starting out but I think I am printing this out and putting it on my fridge so I can remember.

splashwags

In addition to all that has been so far, this is a bit like golf. Be honest with yourself as you log your food, after all you are only helping yourself.

destinyag

4. Accept the discomfort of hunger. Anyone who says, "If you're still hungry, you're not eating enough!" is a moron. I'm still hungry because I've been stuffing my face for ten years. Time for a new approach.

THANK YOU! Yes. So many people act like I'm an elitist depriving myself of life because I'm not indulging every time my stomach growls.

- My best advice is to look at the big picture. Check out some before/after forums on MFP and see how long it takes to really get where you want to get. You didn't gain it overnight, so you won't be losing it overnight....or in a month....or even six months.

- I was getting down on myself this week, thinking I wasn't really doing that well with this and then I realized, " HOLY CRAP. I've lost 17lbs in six weeks!" What I'm saying is, when you're just in the beginning of this lifestyle change (not a diet), it's a struggle every day which makes the time tick...by....slowly....making six weeks or 3 months seem like a year.

- Look at the progress you've made and imagine how awesome you'll feel and look a year from now! PAY OFF!

andreahanlon

Although it may be a little contrary to other advice, my favorite is: eat when you're hungry, don't eat when you're not. Basically, listen to your body.

TrophyWifeSass

LIVE!

McKayMachina

I love this list. I am not just starting out but I think I am printing this out and putting it on my fridge so I can remember.

Really glad you found it helpful! That makes my day. :flowerforyou:

MyFriendLinn

Bob Greene: If you are hungry, its okay to get a second helping.....BUT Waint 20 minutes. So, far, I've been following his advice for over a year, and don't think I've gotten a second helping of anything. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain you are full. It stops overeating!

Jillian Michael: Weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint. And its tough when you see all the magazines and commercials and one hour tv shows that show contestants and ad that say try this or that and loose 20 lbs in 5 days.........that is not reality, not in the real world. In the real world, its one day at a time on your new lifestyle meal plan and one day of exercise on the new you.

Great posts everyone!

FitRodr

Thanks All! When I started I couldn't walk to the corner, could barely get out of the car and felt awful because of back problems. I made up my mind that although my chiropractor was helping me greatly, it was up to me to DO. Not wish, not hope, not complain but to DO! I'm not at my goal yet but not far from it.

Some other things I found helpful:

Meditate at least a few minutes a day. I simply repeat softly all of the things I am and want to be. Healthy, strong, happy, peaceful, kind, caring, inspired, gentle, hopeful, consistent, successful.... and so on. It only takes a few minutes. I say them while in the shower, putting on my make-up, driving, cooking, anywhere, anytime.

One of my MFP friends said to breathe every morning. Stop for just a moment, take three very deep breaths and start your day with positivity.

Sending healthy, happy, successful thoughts out to you all.

tersh79

One of my favorite quotes are:
"Within each of us lies the power of our consent to health and sickness, to riches and poverty, to freedom and to slavery. It is we who control these, and not another.” - Richard Bach

I love this one because it empowers me. I could play victim to a situation, and comfort myself in food, or i can choose my own reaction, and not let things get to me; and not need to dive in to cookie dough to feel better. I control my feelings, i control what chooses i do or do not make; and I have the power to change those chooses to make me happier.

Another one I tell myself all the time - "A slow run is still faster than sitting on the couch."
Even small steps that don't seem much are still progress in the right direction! So I may be tired after a long shift, or my feet hurt a little, I can still make efforts to reach my goals, a little at a time.

So, my advice to anyone heading down this path, is that it's not going to be easy, but you CAN make the decisions that will help you reach your goals. Stick with it, no matter what, and don't discount any achievements, no matter how small, because they WILL add up. No one changes their whole world over night, and it's naive to think that you can. Accept that failures will happen, but don't let them destroy everything you've worked so hard on.

maddymama

I find it helpful to remember that I will only regret NOT working out (except on a rest day- we need those)..... I will always appreciate myself for working out.

Listen to your body- some days you need to slow down, others you will push it harder.

evertongirl

1. Just *NET* what MFP tells you to. Seriously. Don't complicate it. It's easy.

2. Google it first. I promise you there's a good chance the internet already knows.

3. Truvia. It makes things sweet instead of sugar and it has zero calories.

4. Accept the discomfort of hunger. Anyone who says, "If you're still hungry, you're not eating enough!" is a moron. I'm still hungry because I've been stuffing my face for ten years. Time for a new approach.

5. A week at the same weight is NOT a plateau. You are not plateauing. Overall trends are what count so don't be so quick to change up your routine.

6. Natural metabolism boosters are your friend. Coffee, EGCG (green tea compound) and coconut oil speed up metabolism AND act as appetite suppressants. They're great.

7. Make goals but don't make yourself sick with stress if you happen not to lose a million pounds in a month. Be realistic and accept that you'll get there when you get there.

8. Be positive. Find excuses to enjoy this journey. Make it your hobby, even. Keep your head up and your feet on the ground because perception is key.

9. Know that you DESERVE the outcome of this healthier lifestyle. You really do. So give yourself the gift of success.

10. I don't have another one so here's an entry for those of us who like nice round numbers in lists.

I love this list. I am not just starting out but I think I am printing this out and putting it on my fridge so I can remember.

Me too-- great simple obvious but very important factsthat Ive ben trying to follow - I even like no.10 because I need even numbers

beckyinma

You're here, taking the first step, to a new, healthy you. Congratulations on admitting that things need to change, and being aware that it is only YOU who can change you.

mfreeby

Accept yourself first, big or small and be kind to yourself. See your strengths, focus on those. Find time to be proud of yourself and don't let those unsupportive people get you down.