advice to your former self

ced1389
ced1389 Posts: 96 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Question for all my MFP friends: if you had to start this journey all over, what's the ONE piece of advice you wish somebody had given you?
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Replies

  • DrJenO
    DrJenO Posts: 404 Member
    Track every day.

    Even if it's a "cheat" day (God, I hate that phrase).

    Even if you go over.

    Even if you didn't exercise.
  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    Get off your butt, stop being lazy and saying "I don't have time" because you know that's bulls**t and eat a little less, former self. I'll be much happier with you if you do since I'll have less work to do and probably be a little healthier long-term as a result.
  • aarnwine2013
    aarnwine2013 Posts: 317 Member
    Stop weighing everyday.
    Don't starve yourself.
    Yes, you can run that extra 5 min.
    Yes you have to log everything.
    You have to have rest days.
    Forgive yourself.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    Learn the facts behind weight loss and dismiss everything else.
  • Tillyecl1
    Tillyecl1 Posts: 189 Member
    Losing weight does not equal happiness, that is something you have to work on separately.
  • becky10rp
    becky10rp Posts: 573 Member
    Walk away from the chocolate.
  • aarnwine2013
    aarnwine2013 Posts: 317 Member
    Losing weight does not equal happiness, that is something you have to work on separately.

    I love this! This is so true... I'm not sure why I thought if I weighed less, life would suddenly be a fantastic place... I had to discover that first then focus on losing weight!
  • rpyle111
    rpyle111 Posts: 1,060 Member
    Don't be happy as a young, fat guy because you can still play all of the sports you want to. When you get older, all of that wear and tear will come back to bite your *kitten* *and* it will be that much harder to lose the weight.

    Also, beer *is* yummy, but 12 aren't that much more yummy than 3-4.
  • schnicklefritz1
    schnicklefritz1 Posts: 130 Member
    Losing weight does not equal happiness, that is something you have to work on separately.

    I love this! This is so true... I'm not sure why I thought if I weighed less, life would suddenly be a fantastic place... I had to discover that first then focus on losing weight!


    Not to go off subject...but I found that when you start losing weight, it often equals hardship, crabbieness and unhappieness because I feel that there are people at every flipping turn trying to ruin it. I am happiest when I work out and eat well, and yet, I think many of the people in my life would rather me stay fat and sad so they can feel better about themselves. It is a struggle day to day and I am picking myself up every day and brushing myself from the falls, but I keep getting up and brushing off. Happieness is so important!!!!
  • ced1389
    ced1389 Posts: 96 Member
    Thanks guys & gals! These are all awesome. I frequently have friends ask me for advice so I'm going to compile a list of these. I got so frustrated in the beginning and all of these would have definitely helped me on a daily basis. :)
  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    Adviceto my former self is that yes, losing weight is easier than you think.

    When I was in the whoa-is-me phase I was thinking how hard and how long the road would be and it wouldnt be worth all the effort, but in the end it is easier and cheaper to lose the weight than to keep it on and gain.

    Less food eaten = less planning for meals/places to eat = more $$ in my pocket.
  • ced1389
    ced1389 Posts: 96 Member
    Losing weight does not equal happiness, that is something you have to work on separately.

    I love this! This is so true... I'm not sure why I thought if I weighed less, life would suddenly be a fantastic place... I had to discover that first then focus on losing weight!


    Not to go off subject...but I found that when you start losing weight, it often equals hardship, crabbieness and unhappieness because I feel that there are people at every flipping turn trying to ruin it. I am happiest when I work out and eat well, and yet, I think many of the people in my life would rather me stay fat and sad so they can feel better about themselves. It is a struggle day to day and I am picking myself up every day and brushing myself from the falls, but I keep getting up and brushing off. Happieness is so important!!!!

    I'm with you on this one. It gets easier everyday to ignore the haters though :) I heard this quote, "Don't worry about what I'm doing. Worry about why you're worried about what I'm doing." So true! Do your thing, stay focused, stay happy.
  • MagnumBurrito
    MagnumBurrito Posts: 1,070 Member
    Stop running - Get under the barbell
  • gmcoulombe
    gmcoulombe Posts: 14 Member
    No you can't say "screw it" because you will regret it tomorrow.
    It's worth it.
    It takes a few weeks to notice a difference so stick to it.
    Log before you eat!
    Don't worry if you slip up. Do better on the next meal, don't wait till the next day.
    People with insecurities of their own won't like it when you lose weight but don't hold that against them.
    People will get sick of you talking about what you can and can't eat. Just order your food and don't make a big deal out of it.
    When planning to hang out with friends, suggest activities that don't revolve around food. They will want to do them.
  • aarnwine2013
    aarnwine2013 Posts: 317 Member
    Losing weight does not equal happiness, that is something you have to work on separately.

    I love this! This is so true... I'm not sure why I thought if I weighed less, life would suddenly be a fantastic place... I had to discover that first then focus on losing weight!


    Not to go off subject...but I found that when you start losing weight, it often equals hardship, crabbieness and unhappieness because I feel that there are people at every flipping turn trying to ruin it. I am happiest when I work out and eat well, and yet, I think many of the people in my life would rather me stay fat and sad so they can feel better about themselves. It is a struggle day to day and I am picking myself up every day and brushing myself from the falls, but I keep getting up and brushing off. Happieness is so important!!!!

    Do not let people ruin this for you! They don't matter, you do. I refuse to let anyone ruin the hard work I've put into this. I'm a different person than I was just a few short months ago. I'm happier, fitter and no longer obese! Celebrate your wins! You are awesome!
  • FitGirlNani
    FitGirlNani Posts: 33 Member
    Once you're close to your 30's it's harder to lose weight, especially fat around your arms, back, and lower abs. :(
  • laineybz
    laineybz Posts: 704 Member
    Do less cardio, more weights.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Do not stop exercising regularly, you will regret it.

    I actually did give myself that advice. Repeatedly, but I didn't listen. I knew it was true, but still didn't listen.
  • RJKontos
    RJKontos Posts: 17 Member
    Be kind to yourself...
  • hellodmo
    hellodmo Posts: 23
    "If you keep eating like this, then _this_ is what you'll look like in 5 years. You sure you want to go there?"
  • kk_140
    kk_140 Posts: 518 Member
    Lets see:


    All those people saying weight loss isn't linear are telling the truth!

    All those people telling you that 1000 calories isn't enough are telling the truth!

    All the people telling you to work out because it will make you like the way you look even more ARE TELLING THE TRUTH!


    Oh, and the rules do apply to you, you are not the exception! No special butterflies here!
  • SymphonynSonata
    SymphonynSonata Posts: 533 Member
    Taco Bell doesn't taste good enough to blow three months of calories on.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Start lifting NOW.
  • MagJam2004
    MagJam2004 Posts: 651 Member
    Walk away from the chocolate.

    I'd tell former me to be patient, word is that former Becky is going to leave the chocolate unattended...
  • MagJam2004
    MagJam2004 Posts: 651 Member
    Start lifting NOW.

    and this
  • techgal128
    techgal128 Posts: 719 Member
    Quit eating so much #$%^ing Taco Bell.
  • Forty6and2
    Forty6and2 Posts: 2,492 Member
    DON'T STOP! Every time you stop, you're just setting yourself up for more disappointment later.

    Today, I'm having one of those "I could have been there by now if I hadn't given up..." days.
  • Amyeeeeeee
    Amyeeeeeee Posts: 93 Member
    Id say... SELF...why did you stop when you were losing weight... like 22 lbs weight? SOOOO I guess as you can see I have gained all that back. Back in March I was diagnosed with Asthma and was so sick I couldnt work out. I was on steriods to get me back on track and I gained more weight. I am 244 lbs and today I started back with detox water and working out. I feel better with soda free for 2 days. I know I can do this and get back to 150(my goal weight) and look hotter at 33 than i did at 25.


    Stay focused
    Find a workout buddy or 10
    and no matter what DONT GIVE UP
  • Amyeeeeeee
    Amyeeeeeee Posts: 93 Member
    girl we all have those days. If I would have never stopped I could have lost over 50 lbs by now. I say we all have to stick together!!
  • Watermelon_Crush
    Watermelon_Crush Posts: 170 Member
    How very X-Men LOL

    I'd actually go back further and tell myself not to start WW when I was 14, cos a) you're not that big and b) It's going to screw your metabolism and mental attitude to food up and make you bounce up to being a lot heavier than you would have been if you hadn't.

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