It's not that hard..

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?

Replies

PeachyCarol

hotteawhoney wrote: »

I'm still waiting for it to get easy... I never succeeded with losing weight the healthy way. I lost 70 lbs through restricting and diet pills, gained 30 back, and have been trying to lose this 30 for three years. Posts like these make me feel defective and want to revert back to the old way that worked for me...

You're 19. There tends to be a lot of self-examination that needs to go on and hard truths which need facing before you get to the point where you find it easy.

Don't be discouraged.

Maybe you could view this as an opportunity by fleshing out what makes it so difficult for you and trying to work on those issues?

lizzynewm

To quote Neil Degrasse Tyson, "A weightloss book written by Physicists would be 1 sentence long: Consume Calories at a lower rate than your body burns them". So yes, it's definitely simple, but easy? No, not for everybody. It's awesome that it wasn't hard for you, but I'm not sure I agree totally for my own case or many others.

I know you didn't mean it, and I certainly don't mean this in any attacking way (I haven't read through all the pages, but knowing this forum, I'm sure people have already done that) I think by undermining the difficulty of losing weight you are de-legitimizing the struggles some people have. Lots of people have disordered eating habits (binge eating probably being the most common struggle during weight loss, I imagine) and it's simply not easy to stay on a strict diet plan. Lots of people can't deal with counting calories because it brings an onslaught of disordered thinking and just isn't healthy. My own case is pretty complicated, as I lost 50 pounds and gained it ALL back during an extensive chemotherapy treatment... so there's definitely a lot more that goes on than the 1-sentence weightloss book!

Additionally, I think the hardest part is actually getting to that point of making a habit of eating well and exercising. This is probably my 15th time since my treatment ended that I'm saying "okay, this time I'm really gonna do it! I'm gonna get fit again!" Once you're in the routine and there's nothing in your way, it's still hard, but it's fun and the endorphins of working out make it awesome.

afatpersonwholikesfood

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I'd like to see some supporting evidence for the bolded.

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I imagine the National Weight Control Registry would have some info on the successful maintainers. Dr. Lonie McMichael is where I first heard the statement. She's controversial because she's a fat activist, but she wrote her dissertation on medical rhetoric and obesity.

teanahk

Thanks for starting this thread OP. Congrats on the loss.

I've never really tried to lose any weight before now because I was half convinced that it's impossible. Now I'm kind of kicking myself for putting it off for so long, but at the same time I feel kind of guilty that I'm not more miserable about it. I wouldn't call it "easy" either, but definitely not as hard as I was expecting.

PeachyCarol

afatpersonwholikesfood wrote: »

I'd like to see some supporting evidence for the bolded.

I imagine the National Weight Control Registry would have some info on the successful maintainers. Dr. Lonie McMichael is where I first heard the statement. She's controversial because she's a fat activist, but she wrote her dissertation on medical rhetoric and obesity.

Yeah, I've looked there, extensively. All of the success stories (and there are only a few) had a history of weight problems.

So that doesn't exactly back the claim.

Besides, you're the one asserting it. Burden of proof and all that.

Editing. I just looked up Lonie McMichael in a quick search. Found this blog post:

http://www.bigfatblog.com/lonie-mcmichael-it-s-my-health

pertinent quote:

I collect stories of those who successfully keep the weight off: at least 50 pounds for 5 years. So far, in seven years, I have collected seven stories. Of those seven, five gained the weight while pregnant and one while in an abusive relationship. Before these events, none had ever had weight problems; none had ever dieted. Each of them went on one diet and lost the weight, never having to worry about dieting again. Of the one other, she lost weight because of a very potent medicine, and she believes the weight would come back on if she stopped the meds.

When they are talking about that 5%, they are not talking about those of us who dieted for years. They are not talking about us who started out fat. They are not talking about those of us with three (in my case) fat grandparents. They are talking about people who gained weight during a pregnancy, or a short illness, or a period of depression. They are talking about people who are naturally thin - people who normally don’t have to deal with fat and who just got fat for a little while. I have heard that if you have been on more than three diets, your chances of losing weight are astronomically low.

Yeahhhhhh.... not exactly a logically held position nor a scientifically researched one.

I'll stick with the findings gleaned from the NWCR.

fr3smyl

cenandra wrote: »

Congratulations! Its not hard when your mind is focused on it and willing to change. I lost my weight 52+ pounds back in 2008 and have never looked back. It took strength, it took willingness and it took non-excuses for me to do it and I did. So many people want to say I can't lose weight because ...... that is bull. I am proof it can happen if your willing to make the change. I suffer from Type 1 Diabetes, Diabetic Neuropathy and Hypo-Thyroidism don't think for a second I didn't try to lay those excuses on myself, I did. The difference is I was ready for the change, to save my life. Once that decision was made, it was easy to lose the weight and 6 1/2 years later its easy to keep it off. Kinda.

Yay!

callsitlikeiseeit

im almost down 50. its not hard at all. might change the closer i get to my goal weight but so far so good

unknown

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PeachyCarol

shell1005 wrote: »

mamapeach910 wrote: »

afatpersonwholikesfood wrote: »

I'd like to see some supporting evidence for the bolded.

I imagine the National Weight Control Registry would have some info on the successful maintainers. Dr. Lonie McMichael is where I first heard the statement. She's controversial because she's a fat activist, but she wrote her dissertation on medical rhetoric and obesity.

Yeah, I've looked there, extensively. All of the success stories (and there are only a few) had a history of weight problems.

So that doesn't exactly back the claim.

Besides, you're the one asserting it. Burden of proof and all that.

Editing. I just looked up Lonie McMichael in a quick search. Found this blog post:

http://www.bigfatblog.com/lonie-mcmichael-it-s-my-health

pertinent quote:

I collect stories of those who successfully keep the weight off: at least 50 pounds for 5 years. So far, in seven years, I have collected seven stories. Of those seven, five gained the weight while pregnant and one while in an abusive relationship. Before these events, none had ever had weight problems; none had ever dieted. Each of them went on one diet and lost the weight, never having to worry about dieting again. Of the one other, she lost weight because of a very potent medicine, and she believes the weight would come back on if she stopped the meds.

When they are talking about that 5%, they are not talking about those of us who dieted for years. They are not talking about us who started out fat. They are not talking about those of us with three (in my case) fat grandparents. They are talking about people who gained weight during a pregnancy, or a short illness, or a period of depression. They are talking about people who are naturally thin - people who normally don’t have to deal with fat and who just got fat for a little while. I have heard that if you have been on more than three diets, your chances of losing weight are astronomically low.

Yeahhhhhh.... not exactly a logically held position nor a scientifically researched one.

I'll stick with the findings gleaned from the NWCR.

Thanks for finding that. It's absolutely anecdotal, but it is interesting none the less.

I do think that there might be a hypothesis that those who have a situational weight gain might have an easier time maintaining once they return to their previous weight vs. those who have had chronic lifelong weight issues. It's something to consider, but not something I think research supports.

I

Well, if you go to the NWCR site, and read the success story page (http://www.nwcr.ws/stories.htm) , there are just as many anecdotes from people who had long-term weight problems. So I don't find the hypothesis of situational vs. chronic weight issues to have much merit.

Again, remember... this is coming from a conclusion drawn from a biased source who has gathered.... 7 data points. She actually went to far as to extrapolate those 7 data points into applying to the whole population of weight loss maintainers on the National Weight Control Registry.

Not very convincing evidence on which to base anything, and faulty thinking to boot.

barbecuesauce

"When they are talking about that 5%, they are not talking about those of us who dieted for years. They are not talking about us who started out fat. They are not talking about those of us with three (in my case) fat grandparents. They are talking about people who gained weight during a pregnancy, or a short illness, or a period of depression. They are talking about people who are naturally thin - people who normally don’t have to deal with fat and who just got fat for a little while. I have heard that if you have been on more than three diets, your chances of losing weight are astronomically low."

Then why bother collecting the stories? Why bother losing the weight? Why bother with any of this at all? That entire post was a twisted wreck of fat logic and victimhood, with a healthy dash of HAES.

While I put on the weight partially because I was a victim of some circumstances beyond my control, I will not have a victim mentality about my weight loss. I've certainly been on more than three diets. I have two fat grandparents. But not only am I losing the weight, I feel in control about maintaining the loss.

I hope that blogger wakes up and realizes that they are not predestined to be fat. The end game doesn't have to be a size two, but it doesn't need to be a size 26 either.

tracie_minus100

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...

You do not have to exercise 4 hours a day, that's excessive to put it mildly. Why do you have to give up social activities and a vacation? I say this with sympathy...you are making this way harder on yourself than it needs to be. I have an active social life, a full time job and 2 small children, and I've lost over 50lbs through calorie counting and regular exercise. You do not have to give your life up to lose weight. I really am not saying this to be rude so I hope you don't take it that way.

PeachyCarol

barbecuesauce wrote: »

"When they are talking about that 5%, they are not talking about those of us who dieted for years. They are not talking about us who started out fat. They are not talking about those of us with three (in my case) fat grandparents. They are talking about people who gained weight during a pregnancy, or a short illness, or a period of depression. They are talking about people who are naturally thin - people who normally don’t have to deal with fat and who just got fat for a little while. I have heard that if you have been on more than three diets, your chances of losing weight are astronomically low."

Then why bother collecting the stories? Why bother losing the weight? Why bother with any of this at all? That entire post was a twisted wreck of fat logic and victimhood, with a healthy dash of HAES.

While I put on the weight partially because I was a victim of some circumstances beyond my control, I will not have a victim mentality about my weight loss. I've certainly been on more than three diets. I have two fat grandparents. But not only am I losing the weight, I feel in control about maintaining the loss.

I hope that blogger wakes up and realizes that they are not predestined to be fat. The end game doesn't have to be a size two, but it doesn't need to be a size 26 either.

It was the making stuff up to suit her agenda that bothered me the most. She has a doctorate in something. She should know better.

The whole statement that you quoted about "the 5%" was patently false, and based off nothing.

Then adding to her argument with an "I've heard that..." to bolster it as if it were another fact?

WTF?

Nothing she says should be taken seriously with reasoning skills like that. People who are so passionate about cause that they abandon reason have usually slid into the realm of zealotry. Their opinions can usually be dismissed, imo.

missallenxox

i disagree.. well for me. its extremely hard. but we all have different challenges. I'm sure if my thyroid wasn't a b*tch and my hormones weren't out of wack, and i knew sooner that i was allergic to certain foods it would be "easier". But maybe now with the knowledge it will be easier. and not THAT hard ( as hard as it use to be). either way congrats that is a great accomplishment

callsitlikeiseeit

pinklotus_56 wrote: »

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...

You do not have to exercise 4 hours a day, that's excessive to put it mildly. Why do you have to give up social activities and a vacation? I say this with sympathy...you are making this way harder on yourself than it needs to be. I have an active social life, a full time job and 2 small children, and I've lost over 50lbs through calorie counting and regular exercise. You do not have to give your life up to lose weight. I really am not saying this to be rude so I hope you don't take it that way.

yup yup

ive lost 50 pounds in 5 months. and have a social life, went on vacation (where i ate like a pig!), normal levels of exercise (about an hour a day, 3-6 days a week) and calorie counting. and i have a disabled husband, care for my ailing grandfather, 3 kids, a zoo of animals and own a business. oh, and maintain 2 homes.

my life is difficult enough without sacrificing the things that keep me sane.

barbecuesauce

mamapeach910 wrote: »

barbecuesauce wrote: »

"When they are talking about that 5%, they are not talking about those of us who dieted for years. They are not talking about us who started out fat. They are not talking about those of us with three (in my case) fat grandparents. They are talking about people who gained weight during a pregnancy, or a short illness, or a period of depression. They are talking about people who are naturally thin - people who normally don’t have to deal with fat and who just got fat for a little while. I have heard that if you have been on more than three diets, your chances of losing weight are astronomically low."

Then why bother collecting the stories? Why bother losing the weight? Why bother with any of this at all? That entire post was a twisted wreck of fat logic and victimhood, with a healthy dash of HAES.

While I put on the weight partially because I was a victim of some circumstances beyond my control, I will not have a victim mentality about my weight loss. I've certainly been on more than three diets. I have two fat grandparents. But not only am I losing the weight, I feel in control about maintaining the loss.

I hope that blogger wakes up and realizes that they are not predestined to be fat. The end game doesn't have to be a size two, but it doesn't need to be a size 26 either.

It was the making stuff up to suit her agenda that bothered me the most. She has a doctorate in something. She should know better.

The whole statement that you quoted about "the 5%" was patently false, and based off nothing.

Then adding to her argument with an "I've heard that..." to bolster it as if it were another fact?

WTF?

Nothing she says should be taken seriously with reasoning skills like that. People who are so passionate about cause that they abandon reason have usually slid into the realm of zealotry. Their opinions can usually be dismissed, imo.

Her undergrad papers must have been a delight to read, never mind the dissertation/thesis. I've never met anyone so passionate about remaining overweight that they actually evangelized to others on the subject.

999tigger

Why cant people accept even if its not hard for you, then it is hard for many others who happen to be different from you? I dont know you OP so i cant say whether you are humblebragging or being genuine. Weight loss is straightforward but we are all different in how we respond to tasks and we all have different life experiences that may help or hinder the journey, so am glad for you that it was easy, but others find it very hard and frustrating.

kommodevaran

Simple? Definitely, no question. Eat less than you burn, and you lose weight. Determine the correct calorie goal and hit that, adjust if needed, count calories accurately, honestly and consistenly, and you will lose weight.

Easy? For me - most of the time. Very easy. Sometimes, a struggle. Mantaining weight is both easier and more difficult than losing. My approach - this time - has been to make it as easy and effortless and pleasureable as possible. I aim to balance nutrition with yumminess, experimenting to find the right foods and combos for me. I mainly eat the foods I like that don't make me overeat. I don't feel deprived, but in control, and look forward to every meal.

I aim to reduce the hurdles for good decicion making - getting enough food and rest, meal planning, shopping lists, eliminating unnecessary stressors. Very early in the weight loss process, I started to practice thinking like a slim person, emulating some of their eating and exercise patterns, but at the same time do it my way in every aspect.

Routine and habit is crucial for me. I don't have to think, I just do. Changes to routine is a challenge for me. And sometimes I feel the need for something sweet and comforting, or I see something so tempting that I can't resist, or it is just impossible to stop eating. I understand that this is a normal reaction, and I never scold myself or try to amend by undereating later.

257_Lag

I was and am in fact being sincere. If you read the original post you will see that I stated this has been my first attempt at losing weight and I was 257 pounds. I am not a 5'2 woman trying to get from 130 to 120. I have not been a yo yo dieter for years and I have not had struggles with food addiction etc other than the fact that I ate too much of it for way too many years without caring.

I didn't say it should be easy for everyone. I asked if others felt that it wasn't THAT hard and many responded that it wasn't AS hard as they thought it would be. I asked for opinions on that topic and I got them! Good discussion.

Thanks to the people with kind words and best wishes to those that did not/are not finding it easier than expected. I mean that!

ArkMom35

I do agree. It's kind of like raising kids though, while you're in the middle of it, it can be hard and frustrating, but then you wonder where the time went. So yes, if I'd known how easily I could drop 50 lbs I'd have done it a long time ago, though that's not to say that I didn't have days of struggle along the way.

mygrl4meee

I agree. It's not as hard as people make it out to be. I did mine slow though. 100 pounds in 3 years.

SezxyStef

coreyreichle wrote: »

257_Lag 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.

eh you don't need to do all that exercise...

The concept of losing weight is not hard...cico...

People often feel they have to "over restrict" or feel they Have to exercise or exercise too much and make it a lot harder than it has to be.

They want it to be quick, fast etc...people want it "NOW"

If you are prepared for the long haul, some ups and downs and prepared to be patient...it is easy.

But that being said...people become experts at losing weight...why because they don't learn to maintain because of the above.

Maintenance is where you may find it hard...maybe not.

MelodyandBarbells

Another thing that could be easy or hard is meal planning, meal prep, maybe cooking, and consistently eating things that put you at a deficit. Some find it easy, some may find it hard

MommyL2015

I wouldn't say it's hard, necessarily, more than it is annoying. It's not hard to watch what I eat and it's not hard to make myself get up and move more, but it is inconvenient and out of my comfort zone and there are days when I want to say "&%^#@ it.

Getting my kids to pick up after themselves, now that's hard.

kshama2001

Getting my fiance to stop missing home made buttered biscuits is hard

kshama2001

257_Lag wrote: »

I was and am in fact being sincere. If you read the original post you will see that I stated this has been my first attempt at losing weight and I was 257 pounds. I am not a 5'2 woman trying to get from 130 to 120. I have not been a yo yo dieter for years and I have not had struggles with food addiction etc other than the fact that I ate too much of it for way too many years without caring.

I didn't say it should be easy for everyone. I asked if others felt that it wasn't THAT hard and many responded that it wasn't AS hard as they thought it would be. I asked for opinions on that topic and I got them! Good discussion.

Thanks to the people with kind words and best wishes to those that did not/are not finding it easier than expected. I mean that!

I didn't see your post as anything other than genuine

You were clearly talking about your own experience and not extrapolating it to the rest of the world.

jennifer_417

Agree. I mean, yeah it's still hard, but very manageable, and better than anything else I've tried!

slideaway1

Everything is easier than people want you to believe. Things that seem unobtainable are actually closer than you think if you apply yourself and do not get distracted. That goes for everything, health, wealth and happiness. It suits others agendas to make it seem complicated.