People are dropping like flies

I think a lot of people get into this as a New Year's resolution. Resolutions don't typically last through February. :ohwell: People have huge aspirations that are unrealistic for their real lives, and they push themselves for a week, and then the second week it's a little harder, then the third week they're barely hanging on, then the fourth week they give up. Instead of re-evaluating their goals and trying to make it work with their lives, they just decide that they've failed and it's not worth trying. It's sad, but it happens all the time.

I think they get disheartened that the weight doesn't just fly off. Most people don't have the motivation to do what needs to be done to meet their goals. In my opinion, this makes them targets for all of the strange diets and supplements people sell. The only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in. It's a simple formula but most people don't have the patience for it.

I started this journey on the 4th of Jan. found this sight on the 13th of Jan. and have found that just this week I am tired of trying. I will keep going because as you said, I am worth doing this for. Am not sure what it is about going into that 4th week that makes it such a challenge to keep going, hopefully the 5th week will see me with a new attitude towards my weight loss. Thanks for posting, needed to here this.

Don't give up! If something's not working, take another look at your goals, and what you've been doing so far, and make those work with your life. Be realistic in your goals, and it'll get easier to stay motivated. You can do this! You ARE so worth it!

great topic, it's best to start your lifestyle change as soon as you feel necessary. Not Sunday, not tomorrow, NOW!! You're right--we are worth it.

Carrie

Some times you gotta remember.... I didn't get fat over night and I didn't drop 53 lbs over night either. It takes lots of time hard work and tears, but is totally worth it!! Everyone has PMS days where they eat everything not nailed down. Don't write off the day, start right back at your healthy lifestyle the next meal. I'm 5 feet tall and started at 203 lbs. I'm now at 150. If I can do it, so can you!! Don't ever give up on yourself!

I started this website last Sunday and today (one week later) I have lost 2lb ! I know of friends who diet and lose 8lbs in a week. But then, in a few months down the road, they are back to their orginal weight. I realise with this diet, it is not about dieting so much as "learning to eat within your limits". I have been set 1200 calories a day. For my height and age etc that is as much as I need. I have accepted that, and this site helps me keep within that goal. I have learned that before I logged on, it was that extra glass of wine or the packet of biscuits or take away pasta tub that I really didn't need that would take me over that figure.

As the original post said, it's a lifetime change ... not a diet per se .... I aim to carry on with a 1 lb to 2 lb loss per week (hopefully) and by the time I reach my 44th birthday in May of this year I will be my target weight. I aim then to maintain that and keep within my goal so that I wll feel good in the summer wearing that bikini!!!

So, perservere folks .... little often is what its all about. That is only if you are serious about transforming your body for the long term of course, If its just a matter of dropping a dress size for a party in a fortnight's time then, well, this is not for you!

Good luck x

I think that after a few weeks people start to realize that this requires a permanent lifestyle change, and some really don't want to change their exercise and eating habits longterm. They want to dump the weight fast so they can go back to whatever they were doing before. The mental change has to happen before the physical changes will happen. Maybe they'll try again and get it later.

When it comes to weight loss: Quitters don't lose and losers don't quit!

Unfriend them if they're not serious.
The ones who stick to it are the ones who are serious and the ones who deserve change

Unfriend them if they're not serious.
The ones who stick to it are the ones who are serious and the ones who deserve change

Off-topic, but I love your ticker. That's awesome.

Yeah, I've noticed some of my support buddies no longer active. It takes commitment and patience when it comes to losing the weight. I've seen some of them "brag" (not sure if that's the right word for it) that they gained 5-7lbs because they couldn't help themselves from eating a double burger, large coke and a large fry. I would recommend for them to atleast workout for 30 minutes but there's always an excuse. Maybe they just aren't ready to lose the weight.

I think a lot of people get into this as a New Year's resolution. Resolutions don't typically last through February. :ohwell:

Same at my gym. They expand by 5 clothes sizes over many years and if it's not "gone" between 1st Jan and Valentines day they get into a huff, say it's all a waste of time and just give up.

I think that after a few weeks people start to realize that this requires a permanent lifestyle change, and some really don't want to change their exercise and eating habits longterm. They want to dump the weight fast so they can go back to whatever they were doing before. The mental change has to happen before the physical changes will happen.

This is exactly it. It must be a lifestyle change -- a lifestyle overhaul, even. And unfortunately most people just aren't willing to do that.

i joined around jan 10th and love the site - i think it is very common for people to join and give up. I've been telling myself i need to lose weight for about 5 yrs and kinda sorta tried a few times but not very seriously. I turned 35 in december, and father time is catching up - if i'm going to turn it around, i better do it now! As a younger man, i was very thin, in shape, confident, some might even say handsome.

The only motiviation i needed was in a shoebox in the basement - pictures of me from 2000 - who the heck is THAT guy? i realize that i won't return to my former self at 24 yrs old, but i can get a LOT closer than i am now.

SO - count me in for someone that WILL NOT QUIT until i reach my goals and i encourage all of you that also just started to find that something that won't let you quit - for me it was easy, just some old photos.

i think it depends on whether you are mentally prepared for it. unfortunately its quite a common new years resolution to make and then to lose sight of once feb-march appears. i lied to myself for the past year about wanting to make a change and i did a yo-yo cycles of dieting and giving up. however, i realised that my relationship with food had to change and i needed to take control and be healthy for me.

losing weight is never a quick fix, its something u have to work at.

for those who need motivation, please stay you can and will do it.

I agree with the several that say unfriend them. That is a quick way to let go of some "weight." We all need encouragement, that is why we are here. If they don't encourage you, let them go. Friends come and go any arena, weight loss is no exception.

Oh and I am here for the long haul, even after I reach my goal, so add me. Due to family health issues, I will have to take control of this the rest of my life.