What do you wish you had known..

1. clothing expenses stack up quickly when you go down multiple sizes in less than a year. actually the fact that I went down from 4X to M in less than a year is something I didn't think possible.
2. green smoothies actually tastes good
3. MFP's very existence
4. between prepping, cooking and cleaning there's so much work preparing your own meals instead of buying it somewhere else
5. it's harder to get healthy when you're on a tight budget because prices of processed food in america is way cheaper and easier to get than healthier options

1. It's a long process. The weight didn't go on over night, so you need to accept it won't come off over night.
2. You need to have patience with yourself: Some weeks the scale won't move, no matter how hard you workout or how "right" you eat...Some days you will go over on your calories...it's okay. Just log it and move on!
3. You will get frustrated when you're in between sizes. Don't let it discourage or upset you. Just keep working hard to get to that next size! You will get there.
4. You're going to feel different, not only physically...but emotionally and mentally. You're going to feel strong inside and out.
5. This is worth it. You are worth it. You're going to be tired...hungry...agitated...happy...you name it. You are going to experience a rollercoaster of emotions. Let yourself feel those emotions. Lean on others for support, like these threads...your husband, your friends.

MOST IMPORTANTLY: You CAN do this! Don't give up!

It's okay if something that works for others doesn't work for you (e.g., quest bars = weight gain for me). Just pay attention to what your body needs, be kind to yourself, and move forward!

Don't starve yourself, don't use diet shakes(not to be confused with protein shakes once or twice a day) and don't take "magic" weight loss pills. You wont develop good eating habits.
If you cant give up a food for the rest of your life, don't give it up now. Just eat it in moderation.
Don't eat under 1200 calories a day.
Exercise. Skinny girls look good in clothes, fit girls look good naked.
Use an HRM because MFP and machine estimates are very far off. It really sucks because I know how devastating this sounds but they overestimate my burns by 30-35%. So, if you think you burned 1000, you prob only burned 670.
Food scale. Yup. Its super important.
High protein and fat diet. Fat doesn't make you fat and protein keeps you full longer.
If your going to eat carbs, eat them earlier in the day and keep it light for dinner. (I still have issues with this one)
If your going to go out to eat, I skip anything with gluten. It sounds weird but it works. My favorite thing to eat is chilis shrimp fajitas without the shells. Its amazing and cuts the cals.

egorre wrote: »

1. clothing expenses stack up quickly when you go down multiple sizes in less than a year. actually the fact that I went down from 4X to M in less than a year is something I didn't think possible.
2. green smoothies actually tastes good
3. MFP's very existence
4. between prepping, cooking and cleaning there's so much work preparing your own meals instead of buying it somewhere else
5. it's harder to get healthy when you're on a tight budget because prices of processed food in america is way cheaper and easier to get than healthier options

I agree with you,except for number 1.
I havent had a green smoothie. I don't drink juices or smoothies bc they r high in sugar.

That strength training is almost a magic bullet in body shaping. I wish I had started years ago.

fitcolton97 wrote: »

I wish I had known about MFP last year

That I don't need to live on 1200 calories a day!