A simple answer could change a life

2

Replies

  • Rainboots80
    Rainboots80 Posts: 218 Member
    Eat a low carb diet to start, it will curb cravings for sweets. You can slowly add them back after you lose some weight.
  • SnazzIT
    SnazzIT Posts: 215 Member
    Find honest and supportive people :)
  • mamadon
    mamadon Posts: 1,422 Member
    That's it's every bit a mental change as much as a physical. So many of us over eat at just one meal, or just one day. We then proceed to give ourselves a mental beat down, call ourselves losers who are weak. Then we give up. The key is to remember that we are all only human,and not to indulge in self hatred. They key is to learn to keep going. One bad day does not ruin weight loss. Weighing and measuring and calorie counting are of course all vital, but you have to have the right mentality or it will never work.
  • maz504
    maz504 Posts: 450
    Commit. It will have ups and downs but you have to stay committed. Forever.
  • mfp2014mfp
    mfp2014mfp Posts: 689 Member
    Get into the right state of mind, if there are emotional problems behind your eating, not dealing with them first will give you an uphill battle.
  • ChristineS_51
    ChristineS_51 Posts: 872 Member
    Just start moving more - and gradually increase as you get fitter.
  • biddy249
    biddy249 Posts: 76 Member
    just get moving, and then learn how to eat.
  • Pain is temporary, success is permanent.
  • Nicolee_2014
    Nicolee_2014 Posts: 1,572 Member
    commitment, log everything, weigh everything.
  • gerard54
    gerard54 Posts: 1,107 Member
    Get on my fitness pal...
  • bellasfp
    bellasfp Posts: 3 Member
    Portion control definitely! Just learning to cut back.
  • cincysweetheart
    cincysweetheart Posts: 892 Member
    Just begin. The first step is usually the hardest. Whatever it is you choose to begin with… Just begin.
  • changing4life
    changing4life Posts: 193 Member
    Log absolutely everything!
    This but log it accurately. Weigh solids measure liquids
    [/quote

    Log everything, including condiments. And weigh everything as well. Great advice.
  • changing4life
    changing4life Posts: 193 Member
    You haven't mentioned whether the hypothetical person with severe weight issues has asked for help / is ready to change or not. It makes a pretty big difference.

    If they are ready to change and want help: many helpful tips in this thread. My own contribution would be to be gentle with yourself, set achievable short-term goals based on ACTIONS YOU CONTROL (what you're going to eat, how much exercise you're going to do) and do NOT set goals based on OUTCOMES which YOU DON'T DIRECTLY CONTROL (i.e., how much weight you're going to lose, what size clothing you're going to fit into).

    If they are not ready to change what you say is: NOTHING AT ALL. Boom. I just saved you both some frustration and heartache.

    Lots of great advice on this thread.
  • foxsylph
    foxsylph Posts: 54 Member
    *With enough time and enough pressure, you will reach your goal. Forgive yourself for mistakes.
    *Don't think about the weight loss emotionally, but rather scientifically. If you're not seeing progress, search for solutions without self judgement.
    *Do not eat too little. You will hurt your metabolism, mind or both.
    *Lift weights as a priority. Supplement with cardio.
    *Make sure to get enough protein on gym days.
    *Don't drop all your calories at once when you begin, go slow and steady and only lower calories if you reach a plateau.
    *Periodically, take a small break and eat at slightly less of a deficit.
    *Eat little and often.
    *No food is a 'bad' food in and off itself. There are spaces for treats and meals you enjoy, if they fit into your calorie allowance
    *Take photos for comparison and log your measurements.
    *Speak to a doctor, especially if you are losing more than 50 pounds.
    *Reward yourself in non-food related ways when you achieve milestones. Celebrate your successes.
  • fit_gal
    fit_gal Posts: 167
    What is one tip you would recommend to someone who is having severe weight issues? Where would you tell them to begin?

    - Don't lose weight for anyone but yourself. Its your body, your health.
    - Don't ever feel like a failure if you have something you 'shouldn't have'. Tomorrow is a new day.
    - Eat what you want, in moderation. Never deny yourself foods because this will end up in a binge. And it wont last long term.
    - Don't ever diet. They are only short term. Look to have a lifestyle change.
    - Exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. If you have a Wii, get Just Dance. You get to have fun and exercise at the same time.
    - Try Pilates, it helps,to tone your body.
    -Take photos during your weight loss journey. Trust me, this is very important as you wont see it when looking in a mirror. It really helped me.
  • PeauxPeaux
    PeauxPeaux Posts: 71 Member


    set achievable short-term goals based on ACTIONS YOU CONTROL (what you're going to eat, how much exercise you're going to do) and do NOT set goals based on OUTCOMES which YOU DON'T DIRECTLY CONTROL (i.e., how much weight you're going to lose, what size clothing you're going to fit into).


    THIS!
  • SpicesOfLife
    SpicesOfLife Posts: 290 Member
    explore healthy food choices and recipes that are DELICIOUS and wont make you feel deprived, instead of eating boring bland "health foods" that you dont truly enjoy. it is only sustainable if you love your food.
  • davert123
    davert123 Posts: 1,568 Member
    It would depend upon what their issues are. What are they ?
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  • tedrickp
    tedrickp Posts: 1,229 Member
    Honor your personal preference.

    i.e. If you love carbs, why cut them out? If you hate running, why run?

    Long term dieting is a battle regardless, so I personally don't think that fighting yourself on top of that is a great idea.
  • thirteeninches
    thirteeninches Posts: 61 Member
    Wish I would have known way back at the beginning of my eating/weight problems that there were way better methods of coping with stress, fear and loss than stuffing my face with food. Wish I would have known how great simply moving my body around more and eating less makes me feel. Wish I would have loved myself more.

    So that's what I would say. Eating when sad or stressed is easy, but it's a quick fix and it makes things worse. Move! and be proud and love your beautiful self the way you are right now!
  • freebutterfly02
    freebutterfly02 Posts: 13 Member
    That no matter how much you exercise, your portion control is what counts.
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    There is no such thing as a bad food.
  • Phrick
    Phrick Posts: 2,765 Member
    There is no such thing as a bad food.

    +100
  • beckyjeanleemaddox
    beckyjeanleemaddox Posts: 154 Member
    Realize that one messed up day doesn't mean you have to quit!!! :wink:
  • sloth3toes
    sloth3toes Posts: 2,212 Member
    Get on my fitness pal...

    QFT
  • beckyjeanleemaddox
    beckyjeanleemaddox Posts: 154 Member
    Honor your personal preference.

    i.e. If you love carbs, why cut them out? If you hate running, why run?

    Long term dieting is a battle regardless, so I personally don't think that fighting yourself on top of that is a great idea.
    I completely agree!!!! I don't run, I walk, I love fruit and carbs and have some I just try to make healthier choices every day. Last night I ate Ranch dressing with wings, I'm going to try greek yogurt next time. It's a learning process but have fun while you're doing it. Be you and do what YOU enjoy!!!
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Find what works for YOU. Not what others tell you is "the way". Experiment if you need to, to find what YOU can do for a lifetime. If you hate zumba, don't build your exercise around zumba because everyone says it's awesome. If you want to count calories and weigh things, do that. if you want to follow a well thought out formal diet plan (South Beach, Dash...)because you want to learn how to eat healthy foods and what not, do that. Just find what will work for you. You know YOU best.

    Best of luck!
  • Lilenatalem
    Lilenatalem Posts: 46 Member
    Eat R E A L food.

    IE stop eating "low fat, sugar free" non food crap!