You Choose and You live - You are what you Eat

cparter
cparter Posts: 754 Member
edited September 21 in Food and Nutrition
This is not to start an onslaught of negative tension but just an overview of what I observe.

There are so many people who want to get their lives back that they are willing to go to many extremes.

There are two sides of the coins and who knows which will pan out. Based on my fitness back ground I would vote on the first but anyone is entitled to their journey so I am not going to "heavily discredit" the later topics.

First:

My view of gaining back control or taking control is below:

Refer to the food pyramid and educate yourself (or re-educate yourself)
Control what you eat and stop letting it control you (that is whether you are eating too much, too little or too much of the wrong foods)
Eat enough food so you can have enough energy
Control your calorie deficit so it will not adversely affect you in the long wrong
Exercise often (if not daily - at least 4 days a week with 40 - 60 minutes of continuous movement)
Reward yourself with items and not food
Be open and continue to learn
When you reach your goal, reflect, maintain and periodically review your status
Make this a life style and not just a quick fix

The other side of the coin:

I do not support these because of the above and my fitness back ground can not perceive the logic in it but it is your right:

Extreme calorie deficit (guarantee to lose weight but "can" (not wil) lead to flabby arms, etc. because the body did not get a chance to adjust and also cause problems with vital organs)
Hormone treatment (can lead to other long term affects although greatly supported in weight loss clinics - purpose is to make money and the doctors here are not the doctors you perceive them to be or advertise them as)
Slim Fast (product has an agent that causes obesity - as many success stories as it is there are known failures)
Living off of shakes and bars (can not do this the rest of your life so why not just learn how to control yourself)
Over exercising and not replenishing (just like extreme calorie deficit - if you are not fueling yourself you will lose weight fast but will most like have the same problems)
Giving up (gain all the weight back, live off of meds and maintain a depressing existence due to the many complications)

All the later may not pertain because some will mix it up and in the end reach the same goal as the first but that is not the cultural norm so my opinion is based on the norm although you are free to base positive feedback on the later. If not positive then this topic will be locked. Think of this as your life and where you want to be when this journey concludes. Not the journey of weight loss but the journey of life itself.

Carlos

Replies

  • tburnett80
    tburnett80 Posts: 77 Member
    I love this post. And I thank you for sharing your knowledge!
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    I love this post. And I thank you for sharing your knowledge!
    You are welcome and if one can learn and spread the word the world can rejoice.
  • Shawna_831
    Shawna_831 Posts: 316
    so so true.
  • MAbbate
    MAbbate Posts: 46
    This is an excellent post. I feel that too many of us look for the "quick fix" and ignore doing things "the hard way". The points that you mentioned (especially refamiliarizing ourselves with the food pyramid and EXERCISING) are excellent. If there really was a magic potion or pill that we could take that would remove excess body weight permanently, I am sure we would all take it. The problem is, NOTHING will take off the weight permanently except discipline in what we eat and how much we move our behinds. "Permanently" means that it must be a lifeSTYLE change that lasts a lifeTIME. Thanks for your insight and your encouragement. You are an inspiration to me!
  • IsMollyReallyHungry
    IsMollyReallyHungry Posts: 15,385 Member
    Thanks Carlos!! I like the other side of the coin about giving up on ourselves. So many give up and I have been guilty of this myself in the past. But that is the past now. Wonderful reminder!
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    This is an excellent post. I feel that too many of us look for the "quick fix" and ignore doing things "the hard way". The points that you mentioned (especially refamiliarizing ourselves with the food pyramid and EXERCISING) are excellent. If there really was a magic potion or pill that we could take that would remove excess body weight permanently, I am sure we would all take it. The problem is, NOTHING will take off the weight permanently except discipline in what we eat and how much we move our behinds. "Permanently" means that it must be a lifeSTYLE change that lasts a lifeTIME. Thanks for your insight and your encouragement. You are an inspiration to me!
    Thanks for your response and I hope other will chime in with their opinions both far and against.

    I would love to save the world one person at a time but I know my objective is daunting. I applaud all those who have learned and have made the right choices without giving in to the obstacles that seem to always get in the way.
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    Great post! I just don't understand WHY someone would want to resort to slimfast/hormones/funky fad diets/whatever when eating healthy, balanced (delicious!) foods and exercising works just fine. I love food too much to starve myself or eat "fake" foods! I am trying to cultivate a positive, healthy relationship with food through my lifestyle change, not a reliance on diet foods that probably aren't very good for you anyways.

    I mean - I guess I understand the Why - either they want to lose it as fast as possible, or they don't really want to put in the work it takes to evaluate your diet and make life-long, healthy changes. Either way, it's sad when people resort to these other methods for losing weight. Yes - it's hard to truly change habits, but it's worth it in the end. I'd rather take a year or two to lose my weight, and during that time truely change my habits and become an all-over healthier person, than to lose it quickly but not have the mental/spiritual/emotional changes needed to back-up the weight loss and maintain it for life.
  • lisalynn35
    lisalynn35 Posts: 250 Member
    Have I told you lately that I love you? No, really. :-)

    As with all things in life if you don't have to work for it you will never truly appreciate it, why should weight loss be any different? The quick, easy fix does not allow you to truly appreciate your body and all that it takes to keep harmony between the physical and the mental. Disharmony creates chaos which in turn creates frustration and failure. I understand about wanting to see results immediately but I'd rather have results that last. Thank you for reminding us to get back to the basics, the food pyramid, moving our bodies, etc.

    I have always said, and will continue to say, if thin came in a bottle, can or syringe we'd all be thin and there would be no obesity.
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    Have I told you lately that I love you? No, really. :-)

    As with all things in life if you don't have to work for it you will never truly appreciate it, why should weight loss be any different? The quick, easy fix does not allow you to truly appreciate your body and all that it takes to keep harmony between the physical and the mental. Disharmony creates chaos which in turn creates frustration and failure. I understand about wanting to see results immediately but I'd rather have results that last. Thank you for reminding us to get back to the basics, the food pyramid, moving our bodies, etc.

    I have always said, and will continue to say, if thin came in a bottle, can or syringe we'd all be thin and there would be no obesity.
    Thanks and I love you too. You are a blessing here and quite an inspiration.

    I pray that others will learn from you and gain that passion you have for doing it the right way.
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    Maybe we should start a eat right support forum. Do you think we would garner enough support/followers?
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    Maybe we should start a eat right support forum. Do you think we would garner enough support/followers?

    TaylorBowman (another user who shares our mentality) just created one! http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/121373-updates-progress-for-old-fashioned-conventional-dieters?page=1#posts-1651667
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    Woah that was fast. Get as many people as you know to join so we can support the healthier choice.
  • Behavior_Modification
    Behavior_Modification Posts: 24,482 Member
    (can not do this the rest of your life so why not just learn how to control yourself)

    Carlos--I always enjoy reading your posts and this line stood out to me the most because it hits home. The information in parentheses is why I had failed with all other eating plans and/or diets. They don't work because it isn't something I am going to do forever. Yes, I will initially lose some weight by restriction but it would never stay off because if it isn't something I can live with forever I'm not going to continue to do it and if I'm not going to continue to do it, I'm not going to continue to see the pounds drop. This time around I am learning how to eat for life! Yes some days will be worse than others, but overall good. And that is how it has to be in order for me to not only lose the weight but to keep it off. Temporary "fixes" don't last. Period.
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    Woah that was fast. Get as many people as you know to join so we can support the healthier choice.

    Not sure what happened, but this thread got deleted. The only thing I can guess is that someone posted something inappropriate on there on pupose to get the thread locked/deleted, or someone complained about it. :grumble: I'm kind of upset about this, because the HCG support thread was unlocked - they just moved it from the Success area to the support area.
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    There was an administrative reason behind the post deletion. There was nothing wrong with the post of content but due to an angry discussion generated on another topic it was deemed best for the moment.
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    (can not do this the rest of your life so why not just learn how to control yourself)

    Carlos--I always enjoy reading your posts and this line stood out to me the most because it hits home. The information in parentheses is why I had failed with all other eating plans and/or diets. They don't work because it isn't something I am going to do forever. Yes, I will initially lose some weight by restriction but it would never stay off because if it isn't something I can live with forever I'm not going to continue to do it and if I'm not going to continue to do it, I'm not going to continue to see the pounds drop. This time around I am learning how to eat for life! Yes some days will be worse than others, but overall good. And that is how it has to be in order for me to not only lose the weight but to keep it off. Temporary "fixes" don't last. Period.
    The key is you did not give up although you were desperate at the time. You realized through trial and error that education was the key to a life style change and you have done quite well. Great job.
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    There was an administrative reason behind the post deletion. There was nothing wrong with the post of content but due to an angry discussion generated on another topic it was deemed best for the moment.

    Did you ask Mike about it? I think the person who posted the original topic isn't clear on why it was deleted, and she would appreciate any clarification you may have.
  • fit2sit
    fit2sit Posts: 82 Member
    Thanks for the post Carlos, always enjoy your views. I am pro-lifestyle change and anti-quickfix extreme. I too want to help people around with with unbiased scientifically based info to get them on the right track. Keep up the good fight brother!
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    There was an administrative reason behind the post deletion. There was nothing wrong with the post of content but due to an angry discussion generated on another topic it was deemed best for the moment.

    Did you ask Mike about it? I think the person who posted the original topic isn't clear on why it was deleted, and she would appreciate any clarification you may have.
    No, but I know Mike suspended her account for 15 days due to the silly argument which included her posting priviledges. Since today will count as the first day I think he just deleted it as part of the punishment but I am not a mind reader so it is an assumption. We can get another started.
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    Thanks for the post Carlos, always enjoy your views. I am pro-lifestyle change and anti-quickfix extreme. I too want to help people around with with unbiased scientifically based info to get them on the right track. Keep up the good fight brother!
    I am always looking to educate others to embrace a fulfilling life. Life is to short to go chasing one dream after another when the solution is right in front of us.
  • ArmyWife815
    ArmyWife815 Posts: 50
    This post is true, contains factual information, and should be perceived in that manner. I have used slim fast shakes occasionally since I started this lifestyle change but I don't really need them.Believe me I would rather have food.:smile: I will just have to find a way to get a healthy breakfast in on the days I work. I have cereal in my locker and skim and low fat milk is available. I mostly used the shakes on days that we were so busy we just did get a bathroom break. I take several pieces of fruit to work and go to the cafeteria to get a healthy balanced lunch. I work 12 hour shifts. Sometimes when patients are critically ill you don't get the breaks you are supposed to and can't eat as well as you would like. After reading this post I will try harder and leave the shakes alone. Thank you for the information and for caring enough that we do this the right way.
  • flyingspatulas
    flyingspatulas Posts: 97 Member
    Great post, Carlos (as always)! I've tried so many "quick fixes" and none of them have worked longer than a month or two, but now that I'm doing things the healthy, normal way I've seen amazing results! Plus, I don't feel like I have to deprive myself of anything, and on the whole I feel healthier and more energized. We live in a world of instant gratification and quick results, but some things are just better done the slow way. :)
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    Great post, Carlos (as always)! I've tried so many "quick fixes" and none of them have worked longer than a month or two, but now that I'm doing things the healthy, normal way I've seen amazing results! Plus, I don't feel like I have to deprive myself of anything, and on the whole I feel healthier and more energized. We live in a world of instant gratification and quick results, but some things are just better done the slow way. :)
    I could not agree with you more. It takes traveling a mile to reach a yard sometimes but the lessons learned is worth the trip.
  • HealthyChanges2010
    HealthyChanges2010 Posts: 5,831 Member
    Maybe we should start a eat right support forum. Do you think we would garner enough support/followers?
    :love: I LIKE that idea!:smooched: What better group to have on a fitness site:heart:

    oh my, I'm behind on this thread... lol and a good one at that!:flowerforyou:
  • HealthyChanges2010
    HealthyChanges2010 Posts: 5,831 Member
    :drinker:
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    A new thread's been started: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/121491-updates-progress-for-old-fashioned-conventional-dieters

    :drinker:
  • anu_6986
    anu_6986 Posts: 702 Member
    Nice post as always Carlos! So true :)
  • cparter
    cparter Posts: 754 Member
    Thanks Anu. I am always trying to reach people who want to get their lives back or finally make a change in their life that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

    Some I reach and some I don't but it does not stop me from trying.
This discussion has been closed.

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