Keep going!

DakotaKeogh

So, I just used the Reports function pretty hard for the first time. Never really looked at my stats. Here I've been thinking, I owe it all to MFP. And, to be honest, I do. I might not have kept going with it and my FL. But, turns out, of the 103 pounds I've lost, I only did 27 of them with MFP.

I started this diet at the beginning of April 2010 after a fairly frightening health crisis. I didn't discover MFP until December of that year. By then I was down 76 pounds all on my own. All just calorie counting. All pre-exercising, pre-research. I didn't know what the Hell I was doing. I just knew the Boca burger was the better option, and that Pop Chips were popped (whatever that is), not deep fried. I used to enjoy looking back at months of 10 and 12 pound loses. Now I see reports of like 6 pounds in the last 90 days.

Things slow down in a big way at the end. Plateaus happen. Our bodies honestly don't care a wit about dates we set to hit goal. In fact, I think our bodies hear our goal dates and say, "oh yeah? why'd you do this to me in the first place? suck on your goal date!"

Things slow down. Just don't stop. Don't let it get to you. Never stop. It took years to get how we got. If it takes while to fix it, oh well. What's the rush? It's a life style change, right? Not a diet with an end date. Keep going. Never stop. And don't set any artificial dates for yourself. None of us win that battle.

Rhodygarden

Thank you for posting. Just the encouragement I needed on a week where I stayed the same. You are right, it is a life style change and I have all the time I need.

Arabian♥Breeze

WELL SAID WOWO!!!! LOVE IT!

brandiuntz

Well said, Brett. I've lost 9 pounds on MFP, the other 39 on my own. Much the same story as you, though not nearly the same amount of weight.

I believe MFP has helped me stay focused now that I'm in that slow phase. I was losing focus earlier this year. Joining MFP has helped me stay on track and keep the big picture in mind. When it comes to weight loss, patience really is a virtue.

Congrats to you on your amazing progress.

DakotaKeogh

Well said, Brett. I've lost 9 pounds on MFP, the other 39 on my own. Much the same story as you, though not nearly the same amount of weight.

I believe MFP has helped me stay focused now that I'm in that slow phase. I was losing focus earlier this year. Joining MFP has helped me stay on track and keep the big picture in mind. When it comes to weight loss, patience really is a virtue.

Congrats to you on your amazing progress.

Let's cross the finish line! But, when we get there, it's pay it forward time. Have to bring in the other friends too.

missyyclaire

Your thoughts echo my own. What's the rush? Though I'd love to peel it all off now and be done with it, I know if I do this nice and slow (which is all my body seems to want to do anyway) my brain will keep pace with my body. If I crashed into a diet and tried to peel it off fast, my mind would not keep pace with my body...and I'd end up gaining it all back. Just like I've done in the past. So, my philosophy is 'take as long as it takes'.

It's why I watch Biggest Loser with my mouth open...I'm shocked at how fast they lose weight. I know that that sort of manic work wil not stick. I just don't believe it will. Good for them if they do, but I don't think their brains are absorbing what it really takes to do this long term.

I know I don't have all the answers. I know I could screw up at any moment, just like I've done in the past. Which keeps me thinking "take as long as it takes'....and maybe this time it'll stick.

Thanks, Brett, for this and all the other thoughts you put out there...and for the daily encouragements.

MrsSassyPants

I was just thinking the same thing. I have a lot of enthusiasm....it's the staying power that gets me. I was looking at the friends that have stayed with me through my journey here and thought they do it one day at a time....everyday. I realized that to be successful at this I needed to be patient. I don't lose weight as fast especially when I work out. Muscle mass get's me every time. So I raised my intake to 1480 a day and I rely on patience and my friends stories and success to keep me coming back. I am really just trying to enjoy the journey....knowing that's exactly what it is. Go Keogh! Thanks for your support...it means a lot!

SMarie10

It's tough. We all want that immediate gratification of losing weight, fitting into smaller clothes, and the praise from friends, family and strangers congratulating us on our progress. When the momentum slows and bad habits creep back, that's for me where I'm struggling most. But, I try and start again, picking better food when I go to the store, exercising more and trying to get back that original mojo that helped lose the first pounds.

Thanks for your thoughts about paying it forward. Everyone needs encouragement and sometimes a reality check to keep it going.

IamRoJ

Reason #1,364,863 why you are my hero and inspiration. Thank you for the encouragement. Back at it today! Grrrrrrrrrrr