New? Or Struggling? This might help...

This morning I posted a question to all my MFP friends… “Tell me, what are some changes that you have made on the 'road to a better life' that sometimes SHOCK you when you think of how it used to be??? Exercise, food, attitude... ANY story you wish to share…go for it!”

The responses were great! I have compiled a list of them and put them all in here with the hope of inspiring others to keep at it!

We all started out thinking this was going to be awful forever. We would always hate working out, always hate portion control, always feel like it was a struggle… and yet, here we are (all at different places in our journeys) finding that that is not the case at all! There is hope for all of us to be healthier, happier people.

Feel free to add your changes in the comments for others to read… we are all AWESOME.

Looking back at the amount of food that was eaten in the past and how half that portion size now feels satisfying and acceptable. In the past the half portion looked like something one would feed a small child, but the realization hit that NORMAL people really do eat like this and are not STARVING.

Exercise has become a priority, whereas before it wasn’t even thought of as an option! A few stated that they couldn’t believe how EASY it has become to get up in the morning and GO FOR IT! Exercising has become something that is looked forward to, not dreaded and some expressed how they were actually angry at the thought of missing a workout! Some stated how it seems RELAXING to have that time for themselves, and how it doesn’t always feel like a chore anymore as much as something they CHOOSE to do.

Less aches and pains! The aches and pains that come now for many is the ‘soreness’ that is associated with a great workout! One in particular talked of how she now STRIVES for that soreness and embraces it because she knows that she has done something GREAT for herself.

Many stated that they were surprised when looking back at how many EXCUSES they made to stay the way they were. They would tell themselves things that made sense at the time, but after creating this new and wonderful life for themselves they realized that all the “no time”, “no money”, “no one to call partner” stuff were just ways to put off a better life…to excuse it away.

The shock of the amount of knowledge that they have acquired about food in general has left some in awe. It has become automatic to look at nutrition labels, sugars, fats, fiber…all of it are just things that have great importance to them. And knowing that they now have the ability to make healthier choices unconsciously… choosing the fruit over the cake isn’t the most difficult decision of the night. If it fits in your plan ok, if it doesn’t maybe it will tomorrow

Realizing there is life after soda/junk food. Some (not all) have found that it was easier than they ever thought to give up certain foods that were causing them ‘harm’ in their quest for a healthier life. People who drank excessive amounts of soda or ate far too much junk food find that after all this time they don’t even miss it. (Not advocating giving anything up…just pointing out that many have learned that a glass of water over a soda is not as outlandish of a thought as you might think!)

Many never thought about how wonderful it is to give yourself goals and meet and surpass those goals! To realize that you CAN push your body to stages that you never thought possible. Giving yourself a sense of pride and accomplishment is one of the best feelings in the world… knowing that YOU ARE WORTH IT.

Another posted about how she didn’t believe how she had been able to stick with MFP, day in and day out for months… (And for some even YEARS) Having a place to go where people UNDERSTAND your trials and victories, where you can ask questions, give advice, where all of these people somehow GET IT makes it easy to stay on track for sure.

Getting off medications, breathing easier and overall health changes were among some of the more popular answers as well.
And many also stated that it was “The whole experience” that has changed their lives.

No matter what happens please know that there is SOMEONE right here on MFP that has some understanding of what you are going through… All of the comments that were made were by people that have had success, and continue to have success at a better life. They KNOW what they are talking about.

Stick to the plan of reaching your goals.
It may not always be easy, but the changes that await you are sooo worth it.