My weightloss tools

I'm now halfway towards my goal weight and I thought I'd write about the things that have helped me get here.

Little bit of a backstory first. I have tried epic weight loss twice befoe and both times I lost 24kg, which was good but fell very much short of what I should have lost. Why? because I only had a meal plan and I didnt exercise. The meal plan was 1600 calories per day and the food very restrictive. I gave up because eating became boring. I'm a foody, sue me.

This time round I've lost 31kg already and there is no end in sight. What is the diefference?

I'm exercising. Why is exercising important? Obviousely it helps burn fat, however, not as much as you think. Studies have shown that exercising only accounts for 20% of weight loss, so again why do it? Simple, it makes you feel good about yourself. Exercising releases endorphins which gives you a bit of a high. Also, it makes you stronger and fitter so carting your extra weight around becomes a bit easier. It makes you more healthy and finally when you do get to your goal weight you will already have a body that looks good naked and doesnt sag although you are "skinny".

On my journey so far I have found the following invaluable:

1. digital food scale - Weight loss is about taking in less food than you use. You need to measure properly what you are taking in.

2. heart rate monitor - again, if you are going to compare what you take in to what you are using, you need a relatively accurate way of measuring what you use. MFP prediction and the HRMs on the gym machines are far from accurate.

3. a digital scale - I use this to monitor day to day progress. It is a tool though, do not be rules by it. plus seeing a general downward trend on a graph makes me feel all fuzzy inside.

4. caliper and measuring tape - your scale will lie to you because it hates you. Caliper and measuring tape help you measure body fat % and what is growing and what is shrinking. This is far more important than the scale for motivation.

5. online support - I can honestly the say that of the 4 different sights I have been on MFP has the best online support network, if you use it right. Surround yourself with positive supporting people, not negative people.

6. real world support - I have my wife for this. She is taking this joureny with me and the support I get from her is phenominal. there is nothing more motivating to me than when she squeeses my arm and winks at me or compliments me on how my body is changing. I can do without all the rest, but not this one.

7. personal trainer - mucking about in the gym is fine as well but if you are going to use all that energy you might as well do it right. If, like me, you have no idea what you are doing then it is better to get the help of someone who does.

These are the things that have brought me here. There are probably more and there are probably people that are going to say this wont work for them, and they are right. I am only sharing what has worked for me so far.

Lastly, dont give up. you are worth the effort and seeing the look on the faces of the people who thought you would fail again is priceless.

P.S. I apologise for the spelling and grammer mistakes. I tried avoiding "loose" and "lose" lol English is not my first language though.