take my advice and do not take my advice!

Dave198lbs

Much of what I do with my workouts and my diet I learned here on MFP. I also learned a lot from reading, researching, from talking to guys at the gym and from a lot of trial and error. This site has great tools to plot and track the fuel we use, to get ideas for workouts and to get support and encouragement. Sometimes all the information and getting used to really looking at what and how much to eat can be overwhelming.

There are a lot of experienced people here and a lot of people who believe what they are doing is the way to do things. There are also a fair number of people who may actually believe what they are advising but have no business doing so. Perhaps I am one of them.

I do not hesitate to offer my advice when I think I have the answer to a poster’s question or problem. I state with certainty that they should do this or take that. I tell the poster what has worked for me and am not shy to tell them to do likewise.

Often, a poster will ask a general question (one that is asked quite a bit) and get the usual responses. Sometimes they also got some responses that are, (for me anyway), so wrong that I want to shout NO..NO..NO. Sometimes I do openly disagree, especially with these radical cleansing/detox supplements and diet pills . Lately I find myself just silently hoping the poster will get straitened out on their own and stick with it.

So....if you are new to all this and getting all this new information, please take your time and get MORE than one opinion before you start dumping tons of protein into your blender and doing a HIIT workout without building up to it. You can transform your health and improve your body here. Take your time, stay consistent and have fun:drinker:

NotGoddess

Good advice. I'll take it, but get a second opinion.

Poppy_Fae

I have found that unfortunately it seems that the first thing that people lose when starting a weight loss journey is their common sense.... It is unfortunate that there are so many mixed messages available to people! Thanks for all of your good posting. :drinker:

Dave198lbs

Good advice. I'll take it, but get a second opinion.

Sidesteal

I have found that unfortunately it seems that the first thing that people lose when starting a weight loss journey is their common sense

^ LOL

Rae6503

Often, a poster will ask a general question (one that is asked quite a bit) and get the usual responses. Sometimes they also got some responses that are, (for me anyway), so wrong that I want to shout NO..NO..NO.

I do this too and I am NOT an expert but sometimes the stuff people say NEEDS to be disagreed with.

stephevers1227

What I usually do is read what people have written and process it for myself...does what they say seem to make logical sense? Maybe I need to do a little research on what they've said to see if it's true. I have thyroid issues and rheumatoid arthritis so there are a lot of whack-job posters out there on these topics. People should always consider the source especially when it comes to their health. By the way...these shirtless pictures on here are getting me a little flustered and I teach teenagers...never let them see you sweat, right? Sheesh...lookin nice guys.

hpsnickers1

I think that any comment that will get people to take off the blinders, do their own research and be their own scientist is worth saying. There were a lot of things I didn't believe but ended up being true and things I did believe that ended up being pure crap. BUT - they always got me digging and searching for information. And you have to really dig through a lot of bogus info to get to the real stuff.

When I started doing the research (since the conventional wisdom for me always seemed to include "Why? This doesn't make sense at all") I found all kinds of stuff that went against the conventional wisdom but they made much more sense (and the evidence is there). So I experimented and it was the best thing I have ever done for my health. I learned that weight loss while maintaining health or trying to get healthy (remember skinny and healthy do not go hand-in-hand) wasn't about eating as little fat or calories as you possibly can, or drinking 100oz of water a day, or eating 6 times a day. Or doing intense exercise 6 days a week. It's about what you are putting in your body. Weight loss is great but pointless without your health.

stephevers1227

Well, the most important thing I've learned in this 10 year roller coaster of weight gain/loss is that there is no easy fix. I've got to change my behaviors in a way that will be a lasting, meaningful, maintainable way so I don't go back to the bad habits and gain it all back. I've got to learn what works for me nutritionally, with exercise, and with my weaknesses. This time...I've had dessert, coffee, wine...but all in moderation. I'm not depriving myself, so hopefully I'll be able to keep this lifestyle change.

Dave198lbs

Weight loss is great but pointless without your health.

:drinker: