Lessons learned and some peronal thoughts...

It has been 10 months and I have lost 62 pounds. I have two more to go... yes, they are vanity pounds but we all have that magic number in our heads for whatever reason. (my before/after photo is at the end of this post)

I am just thrilled with my progress and MFP along with my recently purchased Fitbit have both been a tremendous help! I've received a lot of really good support here. Between some of the educated folks here, a TON of research and trial and error I feel as if today, a year later, I really have a good grasp on proper nutrition and exercise. While my numbers may not reflect that statement all the time with my low calorie range... it has been a learning process and I feel that I am a better and more importantly, healthier person as a result.

My own personal journey, like a lot of journeys, have been filled with highs, lows, bumps in the road, confusion, frustration, happiness and a whole host of other emotions along the way. There has been a lot of valuable information, a lot of false information, a lot of trial and error and a lot of asking questions. With that said I wanted to share some stuff that I have learned that I feel are absolutely true and critical to success for weight loss, getting fit, creating a new life style, etc.

I am sorry this is so long and please, please, please keep in mind that all of what I've stated below comes from "my own" personal experience. I am not a professional and I know that different things work or don't work for different people.

While I feel that "starvation mode" isn't entirely true, I can tell you from experience that you don't have to starve yourself to lose weight! In fact, sometimes the more you eat the more you lose... assuming you are eating the right kinds of foods for your body type and activity level. This was hard for me to learn and I am still getting there. Eating healthy fat will help to burn fat and it will improve the quality of you hair, skin and nails bonus! Eat protein... this is the only thing that really kept me feeling full and satisfied throughout each day and its an excellent way to not only build, but repair your muscles. Drink a ton of water... hydration is awesome! Sugar is sugar. Fruit is yummy and you're getting nutritional benefits from eating it but again, sugar is sugar. At one point I was eating too much and couldn't figure out why I couldn't lose my lower belly fat. I limited myself to about one serving of fruit one or twice a week or for an occasional sweet treat and guess what... like magic my belly got flat! Weight is definitely made in the kitchen, it's 90% about what you eat and what you get from exercise is an added bonus. Weight loss (for me) is more mental than physical. Yup, you have to do the right thing as far as what you're eating and your activities but I have found that if I think thin... I am thin. (assuming thin is your goal). Remember... skinny does NOT mean healthy. One bad meal or one, even two days of bad eating or eating over your calories will not make you fat. Sure, you may gain a pound or two as a result but that really is due to water weight, sodium, etc. and once you're back on track those extra pounds will drop off in only a matter of a day or two. Guilt over eating does not help and it certainly doesn't change anything so... allow yourself to fall off the wagon every once in a while, enjoy the hell out of it and get back on! Unless you're actually sick or drunk don't ever throw up to get rid of food. This is a bad road and doesn't do anything of value in the long run. I don't know much about ED's but I do know that folks won't see you as fit or skinny... they will only see you as sick. Speaking of others... don't ever let the opinions or comments of others get to you. If folks are not happy with what you're doing, that's their problem and not yours. Let their negativity fuel your desire to move forward with your new healthy life style, chances are they are just jealous that they can't achieve what you are achieving. When you hit the plateau, and you will, don't get frustrated and please don't give up, either keep doing what you're doing and push ahead and eventually you'll break through it, or change a few small things about your routine like what you're eating or your activities. Believe me when I say the plateau won't last forever. It's absolutely true that we have to sometimes trick our bodies into starting back up again! The thing about eating before you go to bed... from personal experience, and unless you have stomach issues, I feel this is a myth. I have been eating before bed for a long time and have found that it's a good way to not only keep my metabolism and digestive system working and churning through the night instead of tanking, but it also helps me to get a good nights sleep and especially if I eat fiber before bed (like cereal) I always wake up with a nice flat belly and consistently a couple of ounces lighter! Don't eat white products, they do nothing good for you! Avoid wheat products that are not whole wheat, these will just give you a wheat belly and will make you crave more carbs. Don't be afraid of carbs... embrace them and just make sure you eat the right ones, in the right amounts, at the right times.

Please remember that this is a learning process and it takes a while to figure it all out. Don't expect to learn everything in a short amount of time and don't get frustrated along the way. I promise that you'll figure it all out...

Make sure that you eventually incorporate some of the items you like to indulge on into your calorie plan, you can deprive yourself for a while but not forever! Believe me, I am a person with iron clad willpower and determination but even I have to allow myself a big fattening decadent dessert on date night (once a week). It's awesome, it satisfies me and it has never caused me to re-gain any of the weight that I have lost over the past year.

Some last few comments... Read your labels! know what you're putting into your body. If you have trigger foods simply don't keep them in your house. If you feel a binge coming on get distracted. Try to use (cook with) all natural, organic, home grown, whole products. My rule of thumb is "Use ingredients that have only a single ingredient". Eat fiber!

It's pretty amazing to me that a fresh carrot is sweeter and more satisfying than a candy bar

Last, there is no magic pill, there is no cure, there is no overnight success, there is no magic "lose your first 5 or 10 pounds in one week". This will take a little time. While I do agree that some of the natural supplements e.g., vitamins, protein shakes, etc. do help to aid in your weight loss plan remember these are only meant to assist you, not solve the problem.

Anyway, again I am sorry that was so long, I just wanted to share some of my own personal thoughts that I've learned along my journey. I really hope this helps someone in their journey too. It's not easy but it's worth it.

Believe in yourself, be positive, be kind to yourself and live each day with passion and intensity in everything you do. You will get there, I promise!