Really, you think it is the same.....seriously!!!!

bathsheba_c

WOW! You know I do not post a whole lot on here, and as I read through this I am reminded why I do not.

Everyone above that is bashing the OP, and calling her judgemental, is also being judgemental. Her reaction to what happened today is her reaction, dont judge her for it, or make her feel bad for it. If you disagree, keep your opinions to yourself. After all this is the Motivation and support thread.

She was upset about what happened. If you are not going to support her then move on to a new post.

She's not being flamed for her reaction. She's being flamed for actually telling her boss her reaction. It's like the how the old saying goes, "If you don't have anything nice to say, STFU."

I will let others respond to the anti-surgery dude while I decide whether to roast popcorn or marshmallows over the flames.

louised88

Also my best friends neighbor went from a size 14 to a size 2 with phentermine to jumpstart her weightloss. She was a bridesmaid with me for my friends wedding and wanted to be thinner for the wedding. Didnt realize her results wouldcbe so awesome. Anyway, four years later she is still a size two and enjoying her skinnier, healthier, more active life. Some people dont gain it back. Different things work/dont work for different people.

^THIS^

I wish MFP had a 'like' button. There isn't any 'right' way to lose weight, find what works for you. Don't put people who use pills or who've had surgery down as if their weight loss isn't real.

abberbabber

At the risk of being flamed by people.....I feel the same about people who have weight loss surgery like my aunt did. They didn't work for it...

What about weight loss surgery makes you think that people don't "work" for their weight loss? The 1400 calorie a day diet they're on for six months before hand? The classes, seminars, doctor's appointments and tests they have to go through just to be cleared for the surgery? The *drastic* lifestyle change required to not just get the weight off, but keep it off?

WLS is just like anything else when it comes to losing weight: it's a tool. It's a drastic tool, but a tool just the same. Until you've actually gone through something, don't presume to tell anyone else how hard they have or have not worked at something.

daffodilsoup

I mean does he really think her accomplishments are the same as mine? My theory is anyone can loose weight if your taking diet pills. I don't mean to step on anyones toes or make any enemies.

With all due respect, they are. She lost weight, you lost weight - the end result is the same. Would you feel the same way if she had had weight loss surgery?

Besides, people who lose weight without diet pills or surgery are just as prone to gaining their weight back - and if you doubt this, head on over to the general message boards and see how many "back on the wagon" posts you can find.

A little humility goes a long way.

Dave198lbs

I mean does he really think her accomplishments are the same as mine? My theory is anyone can loose weight if your taking diet pills. I don't mean to step on anyones toes or make any enemies.

With all due respect, they are.

any diet pill will have the same disclaimer on the box "when combine with a sensible diet and exercise"

people cannot lose weight by simply taking a diet pill. They will also need to cut calories in the same amount as anyone else. Most diet pills are caffiene based. So to answer your question...yes...it is pretty much the same. The variables are the differences between starting weight (very obese people lose weight faster than not so obese people) and any previous medical conditions like thyroid issues or something.

bradphil87

At the risk of being flamed by people.....I feel the same about people who have weight loss surgery like my aunt did. They didn't work for it...

What about weight loss surgery makes you think that people don't "work" for their weight loss? The 1400 calorie a day diet they're on for six months before hand? The classes, seminars, doctor's appointments and tests they have to go through just to be cleared for the surgery? The *drastic* lifestyle change required to not just get the weight off, but keep it off?

WLS is just like anything else when it comes to losing weight: it's a tool. It's a drastic tool, but a tool just the same. Until you've actually gone through something, don't presume to tell anyone else how hard they have or have not worked at something.

I should have been more clear I guess, I'm talking about having liposuction...

ninerbuff

Ok, I have to vent! I have been working out and eating more healthy for about 11 weeks consistantly and since Jan off and on to April. I have lost 16 pounds and about 15 inches (I haven't checked measurements in the last two weeks) and down from a size 14 to a 10-8. My coworker was in my classroom during conference today and was asking me about how things were going...........

I told him that things were going well, but I was no longer focusing on the number on the scale but how my clothes fit. I was feeling proud of all my work and then.....

.....he kind of stammers around and informs me that his wife has lost 53 pounds and could now wear a size 10 down from an 18. I was kind of taken a back. I told him "wow that is great and wanted to know how she was doing it" . He told me "just watching her calories and doing a little walking" I said "wow, I am working my tail off and things still aren't working that well for me" Then he let it slip that she was taking diet pills. My response to this comment was......well I have decided to loose mine the old fashioned way........lots of hard work, plus I wanted to do this to be healthy and that taking those can not be good for you or you could just get them any where.

I mean does he really think her accomplishments are the same as mine? My theory is anyone can loose weight if your taking diet pills. I don't mean to step on anyones toes or make any enemies.

I just felt like he was putting me down because she had accomplished so much more and it hurt my feelings and........mad me very mad! I hope he decided to stay in his room tomorrow!

My dad can beat up your dad. Only the subject changes, not the attitude.

A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

UsedToBeHusky

My theory is anyone can loose weight if your taking diet pills.

Just playing devil's advocate here, but anyone can lose weight by counting calories and exercise. Everyone's journey is different. Maybe the diet pills aren't healthy for her. Or maybe she has some condition that required her to lose weight immediately. Sure, you've worked very hard for your success and should be proud of yourself. But you can't really look down on others' methods either because you don't really know what their situation is.

Best of luck to you! :flowerforyou:

ItsMeRebekah

how was he putting you down? i dont understand that. two different people, two different weights. you do understand when you have more to lose, you can lose it more quickly?

im not confident i understand what exactly made you angry/upset/hurt. it didn't sound like he was out to get you or trying to make it some competition, or how you worked harder for yours. she walked and counted cals. you count cals and exercise too right?

your approach on things and how you deliver it has a whole lot to do with how one can be viewed. and comments you have made here seem pretty nasty,

sehrler

I think when you get to a place where no one else matters and you stop comparing your progress you will feel better. I am finally there and couldn't care less about anyone else's progress in comparison to mine...I wish everyone well and hope they reach their goals. There isn't a finite amount of healthy weights to be obtained. And if someone chooses to take pills or have WLS, that is part of their journey and doesn't affect me.

Captain_Tightpants

Her 53lbs is great. Your 15lbs is great. Your being offended by her loss is kinda confusing though.

Sean_The_IT_Guy

I respect people who slowly lose up to 1lb a week through lifestyle change over several years. I feel bad for people who go on every fad diet and weight loss pill out there, drop a bunch of weight in a short period of time, then gain it all back..

However, i thnk this is a false dichotomy. There isn't just one kind or the other. I had about 60 lbs I wanted to lose when I started out this journey. For the first summer I did it, I researched, counted calories, dropped a lot of sugary and fatty foods from my diet, or at least limited them, and biked myself down about 40lbs.

Then I coasted once winter hit, keeping an eye on my food, so i didn't go back to old habits, but lapsing on my exercise. My weight was stable +/- 2 lbs all winter. This summer, I know what I've learned, and how to eat healthy, but upon re-evaluation, I decided I wanted to lose another 40lbs, rather than the 20 I originally scheduled. That first 40 just didn't look like as much as I thought it would.

I'm now working on dropping it a little quicker. I decided to stop eating back my exercise calories, and to control appetite with a moderate (read: safe) level of calorie free caffeine intake. Essentially a diet pill. Now, I know how I'm going to eat once I hit my desired weight, and I know how to keep myself from ballooning back up. I don't think everyone who uses every resource available to them is always weak, nor do i think that using a tool like a diet pill is a crutch. It's just a tool, like a bike or a blender. Use what you have, but understand how to live without them when you're done with them.

tropaze

At the risk of being flamed by people.....I feel the same about people who have weight loss surgery like my aunt did. They didn't work for it...

What about weight loss surgery makes you think that people don't "work" for their weight loss? The 1400 calorie a day diet they're on for six months before hand? The classes, seminars, doctor's appointments and tests they have to go through just to be cleared for the surgery? The *drastic* lifestyle change required to not just get the weight off, but keep it off?

WLS is just like anything else when it comes to losing weight: it's a tool. It's a drastic tool, but a tool just the same. Until you've actually gone through something, don't presume to tell anyone else how hard they have or have not worked at something.

I should have been more clear I guess, I'm talking about having liposuction...

Yes, I also thought you were talking about Weight Loss Surgery, not liposuction. On that I agree, liposuction is a cop out and they didn't work for their weight loss, but they have things that go wrong too.

TrainingWithTonya

Ok, I have to vent! I have been working out and eating more healthy for about 11 weeks consistantly and since Jan off and on to April. I have lost 16 pounds and about 15 inches (I haven't checked measurements in the last two weeks) and down from a size 14 to a 10-8. My coworker was in my classroom during conference today and was asking me about how things were going...........

I told him that things were going well, but I was no longer focusing on the number on the scale but how my clothes fit. I was feeling proud of all my work and then.....

.....he kind of stammers around and informs me that his wife has lost 53 pounds and could now wear a size 10 down from an 18. I was kind of taken a back. I told him "wow that is great and wanted to know how she was doing it" . He told me "just watching her calories and doing a little walking" I said "wow, I am working my tail off and things still aren't working that well for me" Then he let it slip that she was taking diet pills. My response to this comment was......well I have decided to loose mine the old fashioned way........lots of hard work, plus I wanted to do this to be healthy and that taking those can not be good for you or you could just get them any where.

I mean does he really think her accomplishments are the same as mine? My theory is anyone can loose weight if your taking diet pills. I don't mean to step on anyones toes or make any enemies.

I just felt like he was putting me down because she had accomplished so much more and it hurt my feelings and........mad me very mad! I hope he decided to stay in his room tomorrow!

This is why I hate Scale based goals. Look at the sizes. You've gone from a 14 to an 8. That's a difference of 6. She's gone from an 18 to a 10, that's a difference of 8. The difference in what the two of you have lost when you look at it from sizes is minimal, but you've managed to change sizes with a lot less weight loss. Why? Because you are doing it right and losing mostly body fat which takes up more space then lean tissue. She may have lost a lot more on the scale, but because she's losing more lean mass then you are because it has taken her so much more weight to lose those inches. You are doing great and need to just ignore idiots who don't understand how it really works.

---

16 years Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor
9 years Certified Sports Nutritionist
Bachelors in Exercise Physiology with a Minor in Nutritional Science
ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist

abberbabber

At the risk of being flamed by people.....I feel the same about people who have weight loss surgery like my aunt did. They didn't work for it...

What about weight loss surgery makes you think that people don't "work" for their weight loss? The 1400 calorie a day diet they're on for six months before hand? The classes, seminars, doctor's appointments and tests they have to go through just to be cleared for the surgery? The *drastic* lifestyle change required to not just get the weight off, but keep it off?

WLS is just like anything else when it comes to losing weight: it's a tool. It's a drastic tool, but a tool just the same. Until you've actually gone through something, don't presume to tell anyone else how hard they have or have not worked at something.

I should have been more clear I guess, I'm talking about having liposuction...

Ahhhh ok then :laugh:

thelovelyLIZ

Considering most diet pills are scams, I doubt it has much to do with her weight loss.

But don't feel discouraged! You and here were probably coming from VERY different starting points in your weight loss journeys, and no two people lose weight the same way. It's unfair to compare yourself to someone else and expect to get the same results as them. You accomplishment is fantastic, do't let anyone make you feel otherwise.

vim_n_vigor

Weight loss isn't easy - for anyone. They actually have a harder time with the shortcuts because they have the flip side when they go back to normal. Don't get upset about it. Life is too short.

kahlee2000

Look at it this way -- when she quits the pills it is more likely that the weight will go right back on plus and extra 20. By changing your lifestyle and working hard you won't find yourself in that boat.

focus4fitness

I have a "friend" who started dieting with the help of phentermine around the same time I started my lifestyle change. She immediately lost 11 lbs in one month while I was averaging a 1-1.5 lb per week loss during the same month. When we were visiting and catching up one day she commented on my low loss amount and said I needed to go to my doctor and get some phentermine because it would really help me. I just smiled and said "no thanks." Then she proceeded to call me obsessive because I log everything I eat every day and said I was crazy for getting up at 5:30 am to exercise.

She quit taking the phentermine about 6 weeks ago. She has since gained all the weight she lost back and then some. I still haven't lost as much as she had, but I'm losing at a steady rate, eating healthy and exercising every day. I feel better at 29 than I did at 18!

Good for you!

christinehetz80

Agreed its frustrating, and when she gains it back she'll try something else, but you will be maintaining easily...don't know if that offers any comfort but that is the reality of lifestyle changes versus temporary fixes.