It's not that hard..

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.

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?

BZAH10 wrote: »

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.

BZAH10 wrote: »

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.

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.

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.

257_Lag wrote: »

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.

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...

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.