The Most Important 5 minutes of my life
psmith64
Posts: 102 Member
Just a thought to share with all the people that may be struggling with their weight loss, as I have over the last 12 months.
Three years ago I used a similar site to this to lose 7 stone over a period of 12 months, I was nearly 20 stone to start, and had been overweight for best part of my adult life.
At that time, during a sort out of my wardrobe, I found a suit from 20 years ago, the trousers of which I couldn't get past my knees, the jacket of which wouldn't even go over my arms.
I used that suit as a motivator over that 12 months, along with looking at lots of success stories from others in the same situation as me. Over time, the suit moved further over my body, until it actually fitted again - I was amazed, and thankful that I had found a place where by careful logging of food and increasing my weekly exercise, I totally re-educated myself.
I have since found the harder work is maintaining the loss !!
Over the past 12 months I had many stressful situations occur in my life and took my eye off the ball, end result I put back on 1 1/2 stone - not overly drastic from where I had come, but enough to make me realise that if I continued to ignore the situation I could quite easily go back to where I was, something I would not now be able to handle after getting myself fitter and more healthy.
As I knew food and exercise logging works, I found an application on my iphone, which then led me to this place.
Over the first month of careful logging, I lost 6 lbs and built up a data base of most foods that I am likely to eat.
It now takes me just 5 minutes in the morning ( or the night before ) to plan my food intake for the day, and I find that if I print the list out, plan small snacks throughout the day, I rarely exceed my allownace for the day, and never go hungry - infact by eating the right foods, I actually feel fuller as i don't eat quick fix sugary foods.
I now realise that 5 minutes is the most important of my life, as I have found that without logging I am not good at food management - its my insurance policy to ensure I get back to the weight I want to be, then maintain it. Best of all, its all free on here.
Just two extra chocolate biscuits over your daily maintanance allowance = 1 stone of weight gained in a 12 month period.
You can see how easily it is to slip a few stone on over a few years, and I guess in reality that is what most of us have done. Would anyone really miss two chocolate biscuits per day to keep to a sensible weight, because it really could be just that.
If you are struggling at the moment, really try and put the effort in over that first month of using this site to log everything, it does then literally take 5 minutes of your day to make your weight loss dreams come true.
Good luck to you all, you have found the right place here to lose weight if you really want to.
Regards
Paul
Three years ago I used a similar site to this to lose 7 stone over a period of 12 months, I was nearly 20 stone to start, and had been overweight for best part of my adult life.
At that time, during a sort out of my wardrobe, I found a suit from 20 years ago, the trousers of which I couldn't get past my knees, the jacket of which wouldn't even go over my arms.
I used that suit as a motivator over that 12 months, along with looking at lots of success stories from others in the same situation as me. Over time, the suit moved further over my body, until it actually fitted again - I was amazed, and thankful that I had found a place where by careful logging of food and increasing my weekly exercise, I totally re-educated myself.
I have since found the harder work is maintaining the loss !!
Over the past 12 months I had many stressful situations occur in my life and took my eye off the ball, end result I put back on 1 1/2 stone - not overly drastic from where I had come, but enough to make me realise that if I continued to ignore the situation I could quite easily go back to where I was, something I would not now be able to handle after getting myself fitter and more healthy.
As I knew food and exercise logging works, I found an application on my iphone, which then led me to this place.
Over the first month of careful logging, I lost 6 lbs and built up a data base of most foods that I am likely to eat.
It now takes me just 5 minutes in the morning ( or the night before ) to plan my food intake for the day, and I find that if I print the list out, plan small snacks throughout the day, I rarely exceed my allownace for the day, and never go hungry - infact by eating the right foods, I actually feel fuller as i don't eat quick fix sugary foods.
I now realise that 5 minutes is the most important of my life, as I have found that without logging I am not good at food management - its my insurance policy to ensure I get back to the weight I want to be, then maintain it. Best of all, its all free on here.
Just two extra chocolate biscuits over your daily maintanance allowance = 1 stone of weight gained in a 12 month period.
You can see how easily it is to slip a few stone on over a few years, and I guess in reality that is what most of us have done. Would anyone really miss two chocolate biscuits per day to keep to a sensible weight, because it really could be just that.
If you are struggling at the moment, really try and put the effort in over that first month of using this site to log everything, it does then literally take 5 minutes of your day to make your weight loss dreams come true.
Good luck to you all, you have found the right place here to lose weight if you really want to.
Regards
Paul
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Replies
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Very nice post!
I know I could not have achieved my goal without this site so I am very glad I stumbled across it :laugh:0 -
A simple, yet startling revelation that will surely motivate of us to be more consistent with our logging in once we reach our goals! Thanks for sharing this personal story!0
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Beautifully said Paul! I also stumbled across MFP on my iPhone. I'd kept track of my weight and exercise for years but never been so strict on the calories. Logging gives me much needed discipline and I've lost 7kg that I had been rather ambivalent about carrying around. Best of luck with your maintenance.0
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Great post! I agree - it's definitely the most important 5 minutes I spend.0
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Great post - thanks for the inspiration and I'm so glad it's working out for you0
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Your post is right on the money. I hope you didn't throw that old suit of yours away, keep it for your reality check0
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Thanks for sharing this. It really is so true and not too much to ask of ourselves to ensure that we don't slip back into old habits. I hope everyone here takes this to heart and invests that precious 5 minutes in themselves to stay or keep on track with their new lifestyles. I may just print this out and keep it posted somewhere prominent as a reminder!
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Very Nice! I have come to the same conclusion, I may be logging for the rest of my life. I easily under estimate by 200 calories when I am not planning well! Congratulations on your great success and realizing that those 5 minutes are so important!:flowerforyou:0
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Great post Paul! Although.......I spend way more than 5 minutes here everyday so I'll just say this site is an important part of my day.
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Ditto to that .. I spend about as much time on this site as Facebook! Very good post Paul ..thanks for sharing your ideas!0
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Oh I do spend more than 5 minutes per day on site, but it takes me just 5 minutes to sort out my food for the day. There is so much help and info to take on
Regards
Paul0 -
Paul, thanks for the very good information and good luck to you! 0
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I have an old military uniform that is now going to be pulled out of the closet! Thanks for the idea.0
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My daughter actually came across this site and we joined together. I love it.0
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