If you could tell one thing to newbies on MFP....
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Take measurements when you start! The scale isn't always accurate.0
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You're eventually going to have to break up with or severely limit your time with Cardio.
I'm not there yet, obviously, but I will eventually need to break up with CARDIO? Please tell me why?
Personally, I don't think you have to "break up" with cardio. I train for half marathons and I am never going to break up with cardio, I love running, spinning, etc. But if one is doing ONLY cardio, it's a great idea to ADD strength training and body weight resistance exercises. Doing one won't cancel out the other. :flowerforyou:0 -
Just the fact that you're here shows that you're willing to make a committment to yourself to be healthier. STICK WITH IT!
Every day isn't going to be "perfect". When you complete your diary and it says, "If every day was like today...." - it means just that. Unless you can eat the same exact thing every single day for 5 weeks, don't assume that in 5 weeks you'll be that weight. It might be more, it might be less....just keep going.
This isn't a quick fix - it's a lifestyle change. I have heard for years that it takes 21 days to create a "habit". Give yourself at LEAST that amount of time - and eating healthier will seem like second nature! At least it did for me.0 -
No person on MFP is going to be able to tell you exactly what is the best way for YOU to lose weight. There's a lot of good information, and a lot of self-righteousness. The former can be helpful, the latter never is.
Take what YOU can use, and leave the rest. And don't ever, ever, ever give up on learning about your own body.0 -
Lesson 1
its a journey not a destination
Lesson 2
you did not gain it overnight and you won't lose it overnight.
Lesson 3
If you eat it you own it, or if you bite it then write it
Lesson 4
Use your brain- calories in calories out (burned) no fads etc.
Lesson 5
Be honest with yourself, log everything
Lesson 6
Stop making excuses
Lesson 7
Make a lot of friends so you feel accountable- they are counting on you to do the right thing
Lesson 8
DO this for yourself- no one else!!!
Lesson 9
Make it a lifestyle, not a diet. control portions, nutrients etc.
Lesson 10
Measure yourself, and weigh your food.
That's it for now....
Excellent post!0 -
whatever you do, do not......and I can't emphasize this enough......do not listen to Nickelback, it is bad for your ears \m/0
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That weight gain is MUSCLE! Go buy a measuring tape :drinker:
Honestly though, not likely. While I agree a tape measure is important, it is extremely hard to gain muscle at a calorie deficit.
I should have explained myself better. But I won't.0 -
Watch out for Amber. lol0
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What outfit/clothing do you recommend someone wear? I've been hesitant to take pics just because I don't like seeing myself this weight!
If you are talking about what to wear when you take your pictures, wear as little as possible(bikini?). You don't have to post them, they are for yourself! You will want to see your progress when you are feeling discouraged. And, later on, after you'd shed some of those pounds, they can be inspirational for others, as well as yourself. I didn't post mine until I lost the first 20 pounds.
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....I'd tell them to take lots of before pictures when starting their new life style. I have a couple, but really regret not having standard one (same clothes, pose, etc.) to see if I can tell the 'then vs. now" differences.
^^^^^^^ this0 -
learn to use the search button0
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bump.0
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Do your OWN research, keep your mouth shut & ears open for a while, ditch most of the cardio bunny behavior for some weights... especially women: don't let your body type/shape stop you from lifting weights... it's the ONE thing that's going to drastically recomp your body.0
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If you're not good with sarcasm, stay away from the message boards. Or teach yourself how to use it or at least how to understand it.
Lifting is awesome. Do it. Like, now.
"I don't like the taste of water..." is not an acceptable reason for not drinking water. No, there is not a water that tastes like pepsi but is still just water, get over it.
After the first few weeks of exercising, it's not as hard to make yourself get out there and be active. Or at least this was my experience. You may even learn to love it.
Take pictures, as said before. Yeah, you might think you look gross now, but just image how you feel when you have a picture in the same outfit, but 10, 20, 30 or more pounds lighter. I would say to just wear your regular clothes if you're not comfortable wearing your underwear for the pictures.
And, learn to love yourself. It's going to be an uphill battle, but it's worth it. You'll start noticing that you can do things that you never could before, even if you haven't lost that much weight. Just keep trying and keep looking forward to your goals.0 -
Don't give up. EVER. The day you quit is the day you fail.0
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No person on MFP is going to be able to tell you exactly what is the best way for YOU to lose weight. There's a lot of good information, and a lot of self-righteousness. The former can be helpful, the latter never is.
Take what YOU can use, and leave the rest. And don't ever, ever, ever give up on learning about your own body.
This.
Figure out what works for you and learn more and more. Be selective about all of the advice floating around. Except for the success stories, take it all in, in the future it will be you! And me 0 -
The Search Button will save you snarky comments. If you're curious, most likely someone else has been too! Just give it a gander
Surround yourself with people who are inspirational to you on your Friends List. Some days, they're what will get you through the day.
The world will not stop spinning because you are dieting. Learn to work with life's quirks and plan on extra workouts to make up those overages
On your off days, or when you want to give up, go through the Success Stories. They'll give you the shove in the right direction. :flowerforyou:0 -
Strength train! You won't put on more than one or two pounds of muscle in a calorie deficit. Mostly just maintain what you have, which will help keep your metabolism up, make our measurements go down more (1 lb of fat occupies more space than 1 lb of muscle, so if you lose the fat instead of the muscle, you lose more inches), and make you look damn sexy instead of emaciated (my bf looked like a POW when he diet/cardioed down 100 lbs).
The before and after pictures is a great one, I too wish I had better pictures.
Also, regarding diet, get enough protein, then do what works for you. Being too restrictive because you think you have to will probably just lead to binges or quitting. The only NECESSARY thing is that you need a calorie deficit. Protein is awesome, but The winner winner chicken dinner is calorie deficit by any means necessary!0 -
Exercise...... not too much
Eat at a deficit..... not too low
Enjoy yourself.... a little bit0 -
Regarding diet- do what works for you!! And don't deprive yourself of the stuff you love, it's the easiest way to fail!! You can lose weight eating almost anything, you just have limit the amount!!0
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Don't let the jerks on the message boards steer you away!
^^ This...and honestly enough said on that one...
Don't get discouraged tweek if needed.0 -
1. Take progress photos (from several angles) and measurements, the scale SUCKS.
2. Give yourself a cheat meal, not a cheat day. Maybe more than once a week, even.
3. Educate yourself about the human body - don't just assume an online tool will give you perfect nutritional standards. (i.e. research BMR, TDEE, etc)
4. Don't give up, even when you plateau for X months. Trying is better than giving up.
5. Do whatever exercise you can stick with and enjoy... absolutely try new things, but it's most important to just keep moving.
6. Many people on the forums are beeyatches, don't take it personally 0 -
oh is not good to follow the guidelines ???0
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5. Do whatever exercise you can stick with and enjoy... absolutely try new things, but it's most important to just keep moving.
This.
No matter how hard it is in the beginning, you will eventually conquer it!0 -
Have patience, this change is not overnight.
Listen to your body, it will tell you when it's time for a snack or to rest for a bit.
Don't feel like you're any less of a person because you may not being burning as many calories as someone else. You need to do what's best for you and your body. It's not a competition out here.
Use your MFP friends for support. I don't personally know anyone I'm friends with on here, but a few of the people I'm friends with are some of my biggest supporters and motivators.0 -
oh is not good to follow the guidelines ???
It's a great place to start, but the recommended amount of calories aren't right for everyone. It takes some experimentation/meetings with nutritionist or other professional/research with HRM/etc. to figure out the optimal range of calories.0 -
Stick with it, be patient, and log everything even if you ate a whole bag of doritos...log it to hold yourself accountable. You can do it!0
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Eat! You don't have to starve to do this. Find your BMR and TDEE, create goals for what you want to achieve (weight loss/fitness) and work your macros to fit. You'll have to adjust along the way. Expect it. Most of all...enjoy the journey! You CAN have a cookie without guilt. Take time to reflect on what you've accomplished each day...the good always outweighs the bad!0
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oh is not good to follow the guidelines ???
If you were referring to my post, yes, it's important to understand that a general guide designed for hundreds of thousands of people may not actually apply to you. If you're not getting results, try something else. Don't keep quoting the guidelines as if they were infallible. Even MFP has a disclaimer noting that their suggestions won't work for everyone.0 -
....I'd tell them to take lots of before pictures when starting their new life style. I have a couple, but really regret not having standard one (same clothes, pose, etc.) to see if I can tell the 'then vs. now" differences.
^^ This. I wish I'd started in the beginning with one set of clothes and done progress with the same outfit/pose. I feel like this definitely would've helped during moments of frustration.
That and...
"Diet" is a four letter word. So to speak.
Every little bit counts. The smallest changes add up to the biggest moments.
Your journey is not a race. (Unless that's your thing.)0
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