What have you learned since joining MFP?

whiterice83

First off I love this post!!!

I've learned all I needed was to tap into my brain and use self-control
Why didn't I do this sooner? It's funny how your brain can hold you back when you're fully capable.

I've learned to try new things, to find a healthier way to enjoy things I love, I can eat out and lose weight by paying attention to what I'm doing and not just doing what everyone else does.

My body loves water. And it loves me so much more for the amount I drink. It also makes me feel less hungry. This whole time I was thirsty and didn't know it? Could it be!

Not only do I need to exercise but I want to. Just going outside or playing my wii game. I want to.

dsbride1

I've learned how to reset my metabolism. First I was in the fat stage, then losing weight, then plateau so I went
into the starvation stage. I was really messing up and regaining what I had lost. I came here, tracked my calories
and exercise and got my life back. I'm losing again for the first time in months. It's a wonderful feeling.

steelerwheeler

I have learned that I am stronger than I thought I was and that when life beats me up on those bad stressful days....I come home and eat healthy and exercise and that helps me regroup for the next day. All things are possible....if you are willing to work for them.

rob_v

I have learned
- its not a diet, its a life style change.
- some people are negative, and some people are positive - and I choose positive
- I can do this
- its ok to indulge - just in moderation
- if I know im going to drink 12 beer tonight - my *kitten* better be either at the gym, on my bike, or on the trail for at least 2 hrs
- I really can eat what I want to eat and lose weight.
- I really love my new body (and I'm not even close to done with it yet!)
- my wife loves it more
- life is good
- a ton about nutrition in general.
- 3 oreos are 160 calories!!!

JaclynnGail

* I've learned it's a LOT easier (and way more enjoyable) to go running with 30+ less pounds of myself to drag around the park with me.

* I've learned that I can still have all of my favorite delicious treats and lose weight...I just have to be willing to work for them.

* I've learned that in real life (not on MFP), my male friends are way more supportive and nicer about me watching what I eat than my female friends.

* I've learned that it's worth the extra couple of miles to have good beer rather than crappy "light" beer.

* I've learned that I REALLY REALLY like hummus. And La Croix sparkling water. And vegetarian corn dogs.

* I've learned (and this is probably the most useful one) that things go a lot better for me if I don't give myself the option of not working out or not eating well...I used to say things to myself like "I will go to the gym if I'm not too tired after work" and "If I get home and the weather is super-nice, I'll go for a run", or "I won't eat dessert today....UNLESS someone happens to bring cookies to work". Now, being healthy is just as much a part of my life as going to work. I plan ahead for my rest days and spike days, rather than taking things minute by minute.

Bikini27

I am the only one that can make a difference for me.

Attitude is everything and can't is a four letter word, along with hate and never.

You can choose to take advice, apply it if it will work or file it away for later. No one will force you to excercise/eat your excercise calories/lift weights/ eat more than 1200 calories but you.

Labels are your friend. Read them.

I choose how my day will go and if it goes badly? Guess what! Tomorrow is another day! Seriously, it is.

Don't ask for advice/help unless you want it. Asking is getting and throwing a hissy fit doesn't fix it.

It really as easy as the Set Up page makes it seems. It's the human that gets in the way.

Scott613

" I learned to qoute everything I say from the internet" -Abraham Lincoln-

Pictures are better than words on the forums

If you don't agree with me you are a hating TROLL!

reneepugh

I have learned that I cannot do this by myself and that I have to have support.

hemlock2010

Reluctantly . . . that sugar really is my enemy. For YEARS and YEARS I thought I was broken because I was always so HUNGRY. I cut my sugar intake in half and doubled my protein, and the hunger went away.

That fruit and milk have sugar in them, and sugar makes me hungry. So that piece of fruit or glass of milk was making me MORE hungry not less. gaahhh

That it feels good to be strong, and that I like how I look with muscles.

That I love exercise. Who knew??

2Grtkids

I have learned that those "little treats" i used to buy at the gas station after work every day (except on bad days, when I got two), have 480 calories. Each.

I have learned that I love water. And salads.

I have learned that my pants were too damn tight before.

And, most importantly, I have learned that I can have bad days, even two in a row, and still lose weight. Because tomorrow is another day.

daisyverma

I have learned what I am actually putting into my body

My worst habit has been "oh a little piece of chocolate wont hurt and a few chips"

well when I logged all the "little" pieces etc....I was blown away...boy does that add up

So I have learned a healthier way of eating and that logging your calories and keep a diary is a great way to get the picture of what you are doing right and wrong

hemlock2010

I have learned that my pants were too damn tight before.

This!

shellsrenee01

***My "healthy" eating habits pre-MFP were not really all that healthy!
***It is not always worth the 150 cal to have that can of soda when I could use those towards dinner that night
***It feels like I've hit the jackpot when I finish logging my exercise and my GREEN allowance has gone in the 4 digits again for the day. Best. Feeling. Ever.
***Every step counts.

Most importantly, since joining MFP (and then buying the FitBit) I've learned that skipping the elevator every day and taking the stairs adds up to a TON of flights by the end of the week! I never thought I'd do 5 extra flights "just because"!

maryellen8301

i learned that i had to be ready to lose the weight and keep it off, mentally.
i learned that I CAN DO IT. one step at a time

mamagooskie

I've learned how to lose weight the healthy way, and to keep it off, and I've learned that even though I don't love exercize I need to do it to in order to stay in shape.

I also learned there is no quick fix ...... you have to do this step by step, day by day, lb by lb and I will never be one of those people that won't have to watch what they eat and can do what they want. This will be something I'll need to try at for the rest of my life.

I've learned that I can put on 10lbs overnight if I eat enough pretzels and peanut butter (or other junk food......I am a sodium sponge)

I could go on and on and on......but overall I've just learned how to be the best ME possible.

70davis

bump

anna_love

I learn that when u had a cheating day thosent mean u have to give up on ur diet or how ever u like to call it !!
There is always a NeW Day to make ur life ur Heath even more better !!
I also learn that I don't have to starve myself to loss weigh I can eat heathy and still loss weigh (:
I learn that exercising its fun and
That a number it's just a number !!!
Don't get sad or mad at ur self just cuz u didn't loss a pound '
Remember u can loss inches all around ur body (:
And I learn many more other things (:

Saruman_w

All sorts of things. But most importantly, the tools and knowledge I need to make educated food choices so I can remain as healthy as possible throughout my life.

TEENASAUR

I learned that I use to be a pig!
I learned how to watch what I eat and keep track of what I eat.
MFP taught me to 'train' myself in a way, thus helping me to help myself!

2fit4fat

I

nattou

I learned that:

- Ever since I've been listing everything i've eaten, I've been more watchful.
- Ever since I've been listing everything I've done while working out, I've wanted to push myself further and make the calorie count even higher.
- That taking breaks are good too and that I shouldn't stress it if I miss one day of working out because my body aches from pushing myself to the limit the day before.
- That ever since setting the goal of doing Warrior Dash that I've been more motivated to do things.
- Keeping a livejornal and recording all I've done in a day is actually pretty therapeutic.
- Not having facebook to distract me is actually helping.
- Because I've been working out on a daily basis, my body's starting to adjust itself and a lot of the work outs I found hard from the start aren't really that bad anymore.

Yep.

FlynnMacCallister

I've learned that I knew less about the relative energy in foods than I thought, and that I can trust my stomach to tell me how much I should be eating.

JanineHarrison

I've learned....

...just how often I was engaging in emotional/mindless eating
...that I don't have to hide what I eat, but I'll have to work harder for it
...that there are so many more people out there like me
...through seeing the success of others that the whole "you'll never lose ALL your baby weight" is total BS
...that I no longer just want to lose weight, I want to be fit

MrsM1ggins

I learned that fear of failure wasn't a good reason not to try.

UpEarly

Best post EVER! Gave me a great laugh this evening.

Lol glad it made you laugh:laugh: ...I was being serious

I figured you were! It was the blatant honesty I found amusing. :-)

JaenaM

-You can still eat a lot depending on WHAT you eat; you don't have to starve and you never should.
-Most any of my favorite foods can be tweaked to be healthier and fit into my calorie budget while still giving me the flavor I crave.
-Most of your weight loss is determined by food choices; exercise is important but won't get you where you want by itself.
-It's ok to mess up and get back on the horse.
-Success is more about an attitude and how you feel than a magic number.

MrsSassyPants

PATIENCE....It took a long time to gain the weight and it will take a while to shed it!
I can kick *kitten* when I workout.
The scale may not move but the inches lost are incredible!
That I need to stick with it! Stopping and starting is killing me.
That my good friends don't give up on me.

violabeatle

Sodium is a KILLER! I work in the middle of a big city and used to go out to eat every day for lunch, now I bring lunch and I have cut my sodium count in half (and am looking to lower it even more still)!

On top of that I"ve learned how to moderate myself and make sure I only eat the calories I NEED. Tracking the foods I eat has helped me significantly reduce my intake!