It's not that hard..
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First of all, congratulations! Now, in answer to your post, In THEORY it is not hard. I know what to do - eat less, move more, and eat whole, unprocessed foods for the best results. However, I do struggle mentally. I've been on this path for years and it can be so demotivating to me, that I can't get this part of my life right.0
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This morning I hit -60 pounds. It's been 28 months from a high of 257. People usually say something like "Good for you! Losing weight is SO hard!" Usually I just say thank you and occasionally I will voice what I am thinking "It's really not that hard."
I will admit this is the first time I ever tried to lose weight other than the occasional short lived fads but I really feel that armed with proper knowledge, dismissing all those myths you always heard and having of a terrific tool like MFP had made this SO much easier than I ever thought possible. Not "easy" by any stretch, just not that hard.
For those of you with some success, do you agree or disagree?
Mazel Tov!
It was hard till MFP, now it's pretty simple. The hard part is the mental crap my brain tries to pull on me. Fighting that is tougher than any push-up I've ever done, but like all else you get stronger the more you do it!0 -
I'm glad it's so easy for some people. After a thirty pound weight loss last year I gained 15 back due to stress eating and lack of exercise during a very bad first quarter. I've gotten back on my diet for a month now, I cut out processed foods as much as possible (sorry, I do not like the taste of frozen green beans and green beans are one of the few vegetables I can physically tolerate due to food allergies), haven't eaten white anything and I have maybe 1-2 servings of whole grains a week. I aim for 1000 - 1200 calories a week and burning 3000 a week doing various cardio and weight training. I make sure no one meal is more than 350 calories, I stop eating at 5:30 in the evenings with the exception of one small, high protein snack of 100 calories so my blood sugar stays stable during then night.
I have lost four pounds. I had lost six and somehow gained two. Meanwhile my boyfriend has lost 20 just walking.
If it's not actually physically hard, it is emotionally hard for me at least. Especially when I see posts like this that weight it coming off so easily for everyone else, apparently.0 -
Once I have fully committed, the hardest part for me is patience as well.0
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This morning I hit -60 pounds. It's been 28 months from a high of 257. People usually say something like "Good for you! Losing weight is SO hard!" Usually I just say thank you and occasionally I will voice what I am thinking "It's really not that hard."
I will admit this is the first time I ever tried to lose weight other than the occasional short lived fads but I really feel that armed with proper knowledge, dismissing all those myths you always heard and having of a terrific tool like MFP had made this SO much easier than I ever thought possible. Not "easy" by any stretch, just not that hard.
For those of you with some success, do you agree or disagree?
I didn't find it hard in my 30s. I'm not sure I would agree now. Hope to not need to find out.
That said: congrats on your determination! I think if my weight loss hadn't been fairly quick, and easy, I wouldn't have made it. I certainly don't think I have the fortitude for 60Ls in 2 years. So good on you!0 -
I find that it gets harder the closer you get to a healthy weight, because you have to keep eating less and less and/or exercising more and more as you get thinner and thinner. My first 40 lbs were pretty easy -- I barely adjusted my diet and did a decent amount of exercise. The next 10lbs were harder and required me to pay a lot more attention to what I ate even though I was exercising a lot. The 10 after that have been a struggle. I basically was only able to steadily lose that 10 when doing some pretty rigorous exercise and strict food diary. And I regained them after running a marathon because I was just mentally exhausted from everything -- only just now getting back to it. And I'll have maybe 15 more after that which will feel impossible, no doubt.0
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I didn't find moving from overweight to a normal weight to be challenging (aside from a three-week stall on the scale that had nothing to do with my habits)--but I have a BMI of 23.2 and the scale isn't moving (because I am suddenly ready to eat 24/7). I would agree that once you get into the right mindset and incorporate sustainable changes, it is a cinch. But everyone has a point where they stall or face challenges that derail them.
But fantastic job so far, OP! Good luck the rest of the way.0 -
In for Taco Bell
Also, Congrats OP! Easy or hard is a relative term. It's been hard for me because a super shredded body isn't my real goal.
My real goal is actually feeling confident in my own skin, not having to suck it in anymore, garnering that look of respect from other people when they see the hard work you put in.
The body isn't what I want. I want the social consequences and capabilities that come from a fit body.0 -
I believe in theory, it is easy.
But realistically? When you have 'bad habits' which have built up over several years, or even a life time, if you are the sort of person who turns to food for comfort, or if you have medical reasons which make it difficult to move about and burn calories....then no, it isn't easy. Doable, but not easy!0 -
Congrats! I too agree that it's easy in theory, but if it were easy in practice, I don't think there'd be that many struggling with it. I'd say that it's as easy as you make it. Like most things in life, it's simply a measure of your determination.
Also, like others have said, not knowing what you're doing makes it harder. When you have thirty pounds to lose and MFP is telling you you can only eat 1200 to lose a pound/week...I can't say I find that easy, especially when you're not used to exercising. But once you realize you can throw in exercise and eat more, things get better
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Agree. I've lost around 65 lbs and it wasn't that hard. I hit several plateaus, but that never stopped me because I found a way of life that I enjoy -- eating well and training hard.0
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coreyreichle wrote: »"It's really not that hard."
It is "that hard", and you are undercutting the work you put into losing the weight
I get irritated when people say how luck I am to be able to lose weight. B*thc please, luck had nothing to do with it. Walking 4-8 miles a day, coupled with running 9 miles a week and eating less does.
This for sure!
I'm happy for your success OP, but everyone faces different challenges. To make generalizations like "it isn't THAT hard" is a completely unfair blanket statement. Many people face physical and emotional challenges or illnesses, some of which even go unrecognized. Generalizations of this nature can be a huge set back for some readers who believe they should be having quicker success.
I know some people will read this and say/think "suck it up, do better, work harder". For some it's simply not that easy.0 -
LovingLife_Erin wrote: »I agree... I mean it takes work, willpower and dedication, but if you are ready and willing then it doesn't feel that hard (to me!). I actually get annoyed because my whole life I've heard how hard it was to lose weight, and it was always portrayed to me as being so hard, it was practically impossible. It wasn't until I grew up, and moved away that I realised that it simply just meant eating less than I burned, and didn't require intense workouts, or starving yourself with only lettuce for months. If I'd known/realised that I could do it earlier, I might have tried to lose weight before now. For me, the rhetoric about it being so hard simply made me not want to try, and sadly, I think that's the case for a lot of people.
I agree and that is why threads like this are important. Sure, some people may take offense and I'm not saying what is right or better or whatever. But, if weight loss was presented in a more positive light and more people spoke up about how it wasn't that hard after all, maybe it would help more people?0 -
Well, I would say that losing the weight was easier than I'd expected thanks to the MFP tools.
Congratulations on your inspiring success and best wishes as you continue on your journey.0 -
LovingLife_Erin wrote: »I agree... I mean it takes work, willpower and dedication, but if you are ready and willing then it doesn't feel that hard (to me!). I actually get annoyed because my whole life I've heard how hard it was to lose weight, and it was always portrayed to me as being so hard, it was practically impossible. It wasn't until I grew up, and moved away that I realised that it simply just meant eating less than I burned, and didn't require intense workouts, or starving yourself with only lettuce for months. If I'd known/realised that I could do it earlier, I might have tried to lose weight before now. For me, the rhetoric about it being so hard simply made me not want to try, and sadly, I think that's the case for a lot of people.
I agree and that is why threads like this are important. Sure, some people may take offense and I'm not saying what is right or better or whatever. But, if weight loss was presented in a more positive light and more people spoke up about how it wasn't that hard after all, maybe it would help more people?
Well said, both of you. Thanks.0 -
i found it pretty quick and easy too.0
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LovingLife_Erin wrote: »I agree... I mean it takes work, willpower and dedication, but if you are ready and willing then it doesn't feel that hard (to me!). I actually get annoyed because my whole life I've heard how hard it was to lose weight, and it was always portrayed to me as being so hard, it was practically impossible. It wasn't until I grew up, and moved away that I realised that it simply just meant eating less than I burned, and didn't require intense workouts, or starving yourself with only lettuce for months. If I'd known/realised that I could do it earlier, I might have tried to lose weight before now. For me, the rhetoric about it being so hard simply made me not want to try, and sadly, I think that's the case for a lot of people.
I agree and that is why threads like this are important. Sure, some people may take offense and I'm not saying what is right or better or whatever. But, if weight loss was presented in a more positive light and more people spoke up about how it wasn't that hard after all, maybe it would help more people?
It's almost like there's a multibillion dollar industry built on telling people it's hard
It is definitely not as hard as replacing meals with slim fast or weirdly restricting foods or anything I was doing on previous attempts, when I would lose 5-10 pounds in 3 or 4 weeks and then go completely off the rails. Eating enough calories makes everything easier. 0 -
I haven't been finding it that bad first few weeks were abit dicey just adjusting to the calories from gaining weight(gained too much bodyfat). My metabolism has slowed dramatically and its not really an effort to stick within my calories anymore.0
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At one point, I did agree. But now, one year and 70lbs later, I'm struggling. I have better knowledge and habits but my food issues and addiction haven't gone away.0
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It's not food addictions or undoing bad habits - it's working my butt off and not seeing results while people around me are saying "It's so easy!" If it's that easy why isn't it coming off, then? I don't know how I can exercise more and eat less than I already am. I already feel physically ill most days.
But, hey, congrats to those of you who are just whizzing through this with no pain, headaches, etc. Nice to know some people have it so easy.
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I think how hard it is depends on what your habits were before you started. It can be a bigger adjustment for some than others. In short, if you can figure out how to make it pleasant, I don't think it's a difficult process. For me, that means figuring out how to fit in treats and continue eating the foods I like.
For me, it's not that hard. I cooked pretty much all my own meals before I started on MFP anyway, so that was no adjustment. I actually indulge more than before I started counting too, and without any guilt, so that's pretty awesome. At the beginning, I didn't like exercising, but since a health scare was what got me started here, it was easy to make myself. Now, I enjoy the benefits of improved fitness, and I know I will feel good after my work out. I do sometimes overindulge and not make my calorie goal, sometimes I do flake on my workouts, and as I'm getting into the last few pounds of loss it is more difficult, but I still think overall it is quite a simple process once you figure out what works for you. Edit: and one of the big things: I think it is easier if you are less restrictive (this relates to what I mean by "figuring out how to make it pleasant"). If you are unhappy, hungry all the time, or feeling deprived, it will definitely not be easy. Also, having realistic goals/expectations is huge.0 -
Put another way, and something that has happened to me twice, actually what made me post the topic - One of your friends comments about your weight loss and asks you how you did it? Was it hard? Do you think I could do it?
Answer A) Sure you can do it. It isn't as hard as you might think. I'd be glad to help you get started if you like.
Answer
You can do it but it's really hard. You have to be dedicated, conscious of what you eat, fight your cravings, increase your exercise and be really patient. It was hard work for me to lose the weight I did and I really had to work at it.
Which answer might inspire them to give it a go?
When I first started I didn't really think it would work. I imagined eating an egg and half a piece of toast for breakfast and having to work out a lot. By "easy" I meant WAY easier than I would have thought! Do I "dumb it down" a little to get someone interested? Yup0 -
Who knew B ) = ? Not me 0
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pap3rw1ngs wrote: »At one point, I did agree. But now, one year and 70lbs later, I'm struggling. I have better knowledge and habits but my food issues and addiction haven't gone away.
Yeah--I don't consider it addiction, but it's common for it to seem easy for a while and then something to come up that makes me remember why I don't always find it easy.0 -
Put another way, and something that has happened to me twice, actually what made me post the topic - One of your friends comments about your weight loss and asks you how you did it? Was it hard? Do you think I could do it?
Answer A) Sure you can do it. It isn't as hard as you might think. I'd be glad to help you get started if you like.
Answer You can do it but it's really hard. You have to be dedicated, conscious of what you eat, fight your cravings, increase your exercise and be really patient. It was hard work for me to lose the weight I did and I really had to work at it.
Which answer might inspire them to give it a go?
When I first started I didn't really think it would work. I imagined eating an egg and half a piece of toast for breakfast and having to work out a lot. By "easy" I meant WAY easier than I would have thought! Do I "dumb it down" a little to get someone interested? Yup
I like answer A much better.If you make losing weight sound fun (and easy), more people would be inclined to do it.
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Considering 95% of people regain the weight they lose by the 5 year mark, I would say you're counting your chickens before they hatch. So sorry that people compliment you on your weight loss. It must be awful.0
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It's not that hard if you don't have a life. If you are losing weight to have a social life, a relationship, to enjoy more activities, giving up 4 hours a day exercising is no big deal. I am giving up social activities and time I spend with family and friends to fit in those four hours in addition to working a full time job and spending at least six hours a night trying to start my own business and the daily practicing, writing and recording that comes with being a musician. I don't even meet my caloric intake (I'm usually a about 700-900) in trying to schedule meals around when I can work out and everything else I do. I even canceled my vacation because the hotel where usually stay has closed their gym for renovations and everything else is now booked.
Yes, this is so easy...
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MenonWaves wrote: »It's not that hard if you don't have a life. If you are losing weight to have a social life, a relationship, to enjoy more activities, giving up 4 hours a day exercising is no big deal. I am giving up social activities and time I spend with family and friends to fit in those four hours in addition to working a full time job and spending at least six hours a night trying to start my own business and the daily practicing, writing and recording that comes with being a musician. I don't even meet my caloric intake (I'm usually a about 700-900) in trying to schedule meals around when I can work out and everything else I do. I even canceled my vacation because the hotel where usually stay has closed their gym for renovations and everything else is now booked.
Yes, this is so easy...
Uh, you don't need to (and shouldn't) be working out that much, especially when you're not eating enough. Moderation and figuring out how to make this sustainable is a good place to start...
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Honestly, it's not hard. The method is really straight forward and quite simple to understand. Applying it is the hard part and being consistent. It's much easier to fall off track than staying on track.0
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Congratz!
It's all about mentality. I had a huge crutch for emotional eating. It got worse when I had kids. I'd look for any excuse to run for the pantry. Weight loss is easy but the mind will cut you down every time. You have to have the mental strength to balance being healthy and losing weight, balancing fitting what you love with sacrifice for that deficit and meeting your nutrient goals for health. It took me so many years to come out of a mental slump and excuses. Plus, the big quagmire that the fitness industry is I always believed sugar was why I was fat and not overconsumption. Or fast food. Sure, those things can be calorie ridden but put into moderation and a sensible diet, it can fit.
MFP took the mystery away.
Now I get the same reaction and I just leave it be
Don't dismiss your success. It IS hard but those that overcome taste the victory of it.0
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