For once and for all......careful this is quite long

hanna6774

MFP like most other sites is set up for the masses. It can only be classed as "individual" to a point as no two people are exactly the same. Even if they are the same height, gender, and weight, their genetics, their health, their will or determination, drive, their body fat composition, their stress levels, etc., you name it - all factor in to how someone is going to lose weight. Makes it sound scary and complicated it is not. It is not a diet, it is supposed to teach you about eating healthier, making better choices and motivating you. The hardest part of this is the one thing that has caused most of us to give up in all our attempts to lose weight and get healthier before, the one constant...... YOU. It will always come down to will power and determination and exercise and making choices - no gimmicks, no special combinations, no special foods. What you put in is what you see on the outside.

Please take some of what you read on this site with a grain of salt. I am sad to see posts about people on a new "program" or "diet", how quickly some people are losing, and mostly, how little some people are eating. I know from all the "programming" I have received over the years I found it hard to eat what I Initially thought was too much. I was terrified I would gain. It simply isn't so. The more I started to move, the more I ate and I was hungry. Listen to your body. If you are an emotional eater and suffer from depression like me, and life starts to happen exercise or go for a walk. It seems like such a simple fix but it is a proven fact that the fresh air, sunlight, increase in serotonin produced during activity all help to improve your mental state. If you can't walk just move, initially I just danced to the radio. Also, the production of serotonin in your body is linked to your digestive system. If you decide to eat, CHOOSE to console yourself with healthier choices, again resulting in a positive result, no sadness, guilt or feelings of failure. No more excuses. As I have said before, I eat whatever I want, or think I want, in moderation and I am completely honest and accountable to myself with it. Over time, I haven't craved the salt, the sugar, the fat that I was eating before and it really has become easier. When I do get in a slump I look to the boards for some motivation but like I said you have to be careful and don't get caught up. Just the other day a saw multiple posts listing dangerously unrealistic caloric intakes, being "so overweight" "so unhealthy" "so unhappy", can't understand why they aren't losing, you are really starting to feel for this person right, want to console them? Two of them were teens, and ghastly underweight. One of them had posted pics of how big she was - she was skin and bones!!! You just never know.

Also, don't get caught up in the numbers on the scale. Measure once a month. If you are truly putting in the effort you will see the results. You will get there - be patient and enjoy every little NSV that comes your way. One of mine, which is nothing to some, was being able to lean over and do my toenails from start to finish. That bulge in the middle of me has gone down enough so what used to be literally impossible is now a weekly pedicure/color change. My bra clasps on the last clasp - you know what I mean, things you don't even realize - you can be your own motivation. Don't compare yourself or your progress to others.

Please don't get me wrong - MFP is a great site - it provides you with the basics you need to start you on your road to health. It is up to each individual to customize it to their particular needs and wants but remember to be realistic. Also, what you need at the beginning of your journey, is not necessarily what you need all the way through, as your body changes so will your caloric intake. There are some great tools on this site to keep you on track and some great links and information for some questions that arise. It has helped me get to the point I am at but ultimately I'm the one that had to make the choices, had to experiment with calorie intake/vs exercise, ice cream v.s no sugar, no fat pudding, etc. For the most part, the before and afters are amazing - some truly inspirational - and I appreciate the months, even years of hard work, sweat and determination people have shown, not to mention the courage to post their before pictures - Kudos! Something I still can't do but I know I will get there and so can you.

ladykate7

bump

theartichoke

Thank you Hanna.

lindyc11

Great post!

sm_4ever17

nice post. i have learnt one thing nt to compare myself wid my frnd v r almost d same height bt i weigh 14 kg more than hr yucky.

BrienJD

Good post:drinker:

hongruss

Great post, too many people get caught up in what others are doing. It starts when we are young, my 4yr old daughter seems to think "our rules" are for everybody & tells me that people are drinking in their car, etc BUT I explain EVERYBODY is different & what might be right for them isn't necessarily what will work for us!

I am already trying to get her away from crowd mentality & judging her actions against others, If you know it is right then don't do wrong & that can never be more important than when it is about our health, Physical & Mental.

Russ

slrrese

Good post, your so right!! It take a lot of patience too for those who are truly needing to lose weight. Remember, we didn't put this weight on in a week or even a month, and we are not going to take it off that fast either.

Kougra

Nicely done.

glenbabe

totally agree with everything you have said a GREAT post....my extra thought to the board is once you have made this great leap for right choices you have to stay focused for the rest of your life...which for me will be the hardest part of all .....but I am hoping that I never let the oldways creep back in to my lifestyle....only time will tell

hanna6774

Thank you and yes, this is not a one time effort with a reward of a smaller size at the end for some special occasion. This is a lifestyle, a life change if you will, with the rewards being a long and healthy life. Definitely worth the effort.:flowerforyou: