POLL: What's the hardest thing about losing weight?

I think for me it's a combination of two.

For me, it's 1 and 3. I say that it's a combination because ... I've never had to diet before. I've always been blessed in that way. However, when I had twins, the story changed for me. I've been struggling to take off my baby weight for 2 years. Because dieting is SO FOREIGN to me, I don't have a lot of knowledge about nutrition and exercise. Sometimes I don't understand why my body is working against me. I don't always understand when I step on the scale why I'm suddenly up 3lbs from yesterday when I ate the same, workedout the same etc. This all leads to the "staying motivated" as a hardship. It's hard to stay motivated and be determined to eat right and kick butt in the gym when you feel like it's all being done for nothing, or your not seeing the results you wanted/expected.

I'd have to say #1. But it's more of a confusion about diet and exercise knowledge. There is so much information out there from jillions of sources and sorting through it can be hard. When you believe one thing, someone else says the opposite. I tend to trust the sources that truly want to help more than companies that just want my money.

Great question!!

Definitely #3. Though lack of motivation does then translate into #2, not making time to exercise.

#1 and #3 and you forgot to add the abundance of good delicious food there is out there!

#3, though, in my case, it's about staying motivated to eat the healthy leftovers rather than the tasty alternatives.

I never understood the argument that it’s was more expensive on a diet that is soooo FALSE!! I spend maximum $150 a month on groceries for my husband and I and all we eat is veggies, chicken, brown rice, all-bran and diet Pepsi. If we went out to dinner even fast food that’s $720 a month minimum ($6 meals 2x day for 2 people x 30 days). THAT’S INSANE!!!

For me it’s finding the time to exercise so I really balance what I eat if I only have time to work out 20 minutes (<200cals) on a weeknight.

1 & 3, I get really discouraged when the math doesn't add up (exercise and eat to lose 2lbs, but only 1 or none lost, then 2lb weight gain overnight). Everytime the scale disappoints me I wanna give up

Eta: what would I want to read about? Techniques guaranteed to give me my expected weight loss, and the research backing it up. I want a book that goes over exactly how many calories we need and why, and what nutrients and plans are best (with their data quoted). I am starting to feel however that there is no science to it at all....

I guess facing that I cant lose my weight over night is the hardest for me....but then again its melting off pretty fast My clothes are really starting to sag
Ive got my head on straight again and have finally got to the point abusing food or allowing it to be in control is not worth the pain that being obese has caused me to live with the past several years.

It took my husband having to put my socks and shoes on me for several days for the humiliation to kick me in the seat of my pants. I swore at that point I was done no more....

Food is a fuel not a hobby....I refuse to allow it to dictate to me any more
I eat 5 times a day.....and have committed to doing some form of activity 5 days a week I most often go way over this.....Im feeling great physically

You couldnt pay me to go back to where I was

so if I dont want to move or am having trouble deciding if I want something thats really unhealthy example french fries...

I think back to those shoes

3 is the biggest one for me...and alittle bit of 4, I can exercise for free, but the protein drinks and healthy food are really expensive and I have a super tight budget.

Please see my above post and feel free to email me if you have any questions. Its sooooooo much cheaper to eat healthy! If you want protein shakes just buy the lesser expensive protein shakes like Body Fortress from Walmart. Its only $19 Cdn which is ½ to ¼ the price of even no-name grocery store brands (Loblaws is $34 and a GNC basic options start at $50 +). I bought an extra tub about a month ago at a Walmart grand opening and it was only $9.95, CRAZY CHEAP!!

But it tastes horrible (just my opinion). I have a tub sitting on my desk. I can send it to you if you like. :laugh:

My predicament is worse. I read a lot. Have the tools to do well, just when I am shopping, those peanut butter M&M's call to me.

#3 for sure...

definitely #3 Especially the motivation to exercise. I have never liked to exercise even when I was slim. Now it is just so hard on my joints that I can't get myself to do it more than 3 or 4 times a week , even that is a struggle. I envy those who are dedicated to exercising every day!

Staying motivated to eat right and exercise

That looks to be the most common answer. Most people start out all fired up but it fades fast. That's why one has to go about this as a lifestyle change and not a diet. Slow and steady changes to an increasingly healthier lifestyle with better eating and more physical activity is what makes those changes last.

For me it's 4. Too expensive to eat right and exercise.

I could add 5 thou; Cold sending me home to sleep so I can't exercise!

It's hardest when you burn to train but can't for some reason! :mad:

#3 for sure.
There is so much conflicting information out there, but eating less and moving more is really the only solution. It's just hard.
I think it's cheaper, when I am not drinking or going out to dinner I save a ton of money cooking at home. But maybe for the people who cooked at home before, making the switch to healthier alternatives is more expensive.