10 things I've learned so far

I know there are people who are going to do whatever they want regardless of advice, medical proof, or testimony from other people but hopefully this list will reach someone.

1. 1200 is NOT the magic number. Without going into too much detail, 1200 is not guaranteed to give you a deficit of 1000 calories a day and make you lose 2 lbs a week. If your TDEE is 2100, to lose 2 lbs a week you'd need to consume a net of 1100. 1200 is just the lowest MFP will allow itself to be set to. So you're essentially starving yourself for no reason. It's not medically possible for someone who's already not too overweight to lose very much weight each week. Lower your expectations and be patient.

2. You don't have to cut anything completely out of your diet. Unless you have a food allergy or a medical reason not to eat anything, have chocolate! Have french fries! Have a glass of wine! The best way to lose weight is to make sustainable changes, not make yourself miserable.

3. There are no magic pills or shakes. No green coffee, Slimquick, Hydroxycut, Sensa, Visalus, Herbalife... None of that crap. You don't need it! Your body is a machine and all you have to do is treat it right and it will do whatever it is that you want it to do. Stop mistreating yourselves by drinking a chemical shake for a meal. Stop pumping yourselves full of caffeine pills and just do the work. I promise you'll have better results.

4. Cardio won't make you "toned". Actually, if you only do cardio, you have a good chance of looking really flabby and gross. Cardio is excellent for heart and cardiovascular health, but it will not give you a ripped, lean body.

5. Lifting weights will NOT make you "bulky". It's so much fun ladies, seriously. THIS will give you a lean, beautiful body. It will strengthen your bones. It will improve your posture. It will make you feel badass. Stronglifts 5x5 is what I use and I have loved every change that my body has gone through in the past 4 weeks.

6. Lifting weights should be short and sweet. No more low weight, high rep crap ladies. High weight, low rep is what you need to get you the results you need.

7. Don't rely completely on the scale. Yes, there is a healthy weight range for every height but weighing yourself every day, or even every week is pointless. Especially if you're lifting, your body will fluctuate in fluid levels by a range of 5 lbs per day. No sense in getting your feelings hurt. Take pictures. Measure your body.

8. Don't expect everybody to care that you want to get healthier. Nobody should be negative, but your husband doesn't have to go to the gym with you. He can still have donuts and hot wings 5 times a week. Your girlfriends can still drink margaritas. It doesn't make them insensitive. They have different needs and lives than you do. If your friend became pregnant, would you give up alcohol with her? If your husband broke his leg, would you use crutches with him? You can be supportive and loving without changing your whole lifestyle.

9. Don't become a psycho. Seriously, don't roll your eyes at people when they eat. Don't read the nutritional facts of other people's food. Don't constantly talk about fitness. That's what MFP is for. Not everyone wants or needs to make the changes you are and that's the fastest way to alienate yourself and lose friends.

10. Don't forget to live! If you find yourself turning down invites to go out for drinks, shying away from a dinner out with your spouse, avoiding family get togethers, or having anxiety attacks over office potlucks, you have gone entirely too far. Isn't the reason you started this so that you would feel more comfortable in social settings? Don't forget to have some fun guys. Life is too short to worry and count constantly.


Be healthy:happy: . Be happy:flowerforyou: . Be smart:bigsmile: !