Has anyone's lifestyle generally changed since you started the weight loss effort?

I'm somewhat more active than before, although I always liked to walk. I don't use elevators anymore since now I can reach the top without gasping like a dying carp. Biggest changes are just sticking to a diet and exercise plan, and (oddly enough) being more organized in general. I guess once I got one piece of my life in order I wanted to get others too.

Not for me. I went at it a bit differently. I changed my lifestyle pretty dramatically. Improved my home environment, got a better job that allowed me to afford a higher standard of living. (from poverty to lower middle class)

I was already very active but suffered from severe depression and anxiety created by my situation. Eating was unfortunately my only source of comfort. So I ate a lot and since I was poor I ate poor quality in big portions. Once I got rid of most of the causes of my stress and depression I was ready to tackle the nutritional component.

I do find that I get out and do more things on my days off rather than sitting in front of the TV or reading all day. I also have energy to clean house when I get home from work. But again I think these are more related to the improvement in my emotional health and sense of well being.

Yeeessss! Omg especially the taking the stairs thing. You don't even think anything of it. And it's way quicker Lol.
And you literally stop craving crap everyday.
Grocery shopping is fun because you realize you cannn Enjoy your favorite healthy recipes and can't wait to feed different parts of your body. But obviously some days, you don't mind eating crap. But the healthy lifestyle seems more like something to look forward too rather than a chore. After you genuinely appreciate yourself and find what works for you!

Well if there isn't a change, then there's probably little to no results happening.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Completely!! I feel so much better...look better..clothes fit better. Im proud of my achievements. I don't cheat myself. Realizing protein gives so much energy. Ive been focusing on macros instead of just watching calorie intake. Yes its a total transformation in everything. Ive learned so much about control. Noones going to do this but me. Its self respect and Im loving it!

Yep. I'll echo what everyone else has mentioned as well. There are times where I don't even debate a choice like making breakfast [healthy variety] or grabbing a handful of whatever...and there are still some things that will probably require additional time to instill the necessary behavior patterns (i.e., consciously moving more on off-days, because I'm all about a cup of tea and a good book on an off-day ).

All that aside, it's definitely a process, and one that I am very happy about embarking upon. It is totally worth it, and will be for the long-term.

I'm definitely way more active now. I can't stand staying home all day anymore and aim for at least 6 hours of exercise a week, sometimes more, but life happens and I can't fit it some days (or my legs just really need a rest). But if I'm home and I have something to watch on TV, I'll hop on the exercise bike instead of the couch, for example. And if I need a break on the week end I'll go to the gym instead of going shopping or locking myself in my room.

Food wise, I am much better with moderation and my tastes have changed a bit (not for the sweet stuff though unfortunately), but when I'm hungry I could still eat the whole house.

As part of my "lifestyle change" and learning to eat better I registered for a course from the local Health Clinic called Weight Wise which re-trained us about Food and hidden calories. One of the things they stressed is that " Movement Matters" so I learned to swim.
Which led to a challenge by a fellow rookie swimmer to do the local Sprint Tri-Athlon.
This then led to upgrading my Bike and taking up Running with the local running club.
Running led to 3 different races ( 10km ) and at least 2 runs per week with the Club members. A great mix of Speedy Road Runners to Slow Turtles. As other people have said my TV is getting very lonely and dusty.
It is a viscous cycle as my health improves and as my weight has dropped, my BMR and BP have also dropped. The lower BMR means I have to do a little more exercise to keep a small calorie deficit.

More aware of Food Craving Triggers and ways to satisfy the beast without over-indulging.

The main difference to before and now is that I'm much more mindful of myself and my needs. I don't just mean nutritional needs, but I'm actually starting to take care of myself; doing my rehabilitation (which means I go to the gym and lift, and since it's for a reason other than "losing weight" I am much more likely to do it), eating food I enjoy (instead of trying to cut it completely out, I work it into my plan; and if I'm unsuccessful in working it into my plan and stay within my calorie goal, I can accept it and move forward without derailing) and overall just working on changing my mental state (anxiety, panic attacks; not entirely conducive to helping one stay on track).

I still eat the same foods, I'm not much more active (just the rehab really, and that's actually less than I used to do before I got professional help on what to do for my back) but I'm mindful and I approach it differently. There might be other changes that I don't really think about (I might take the stairs more now, but then I often took the stairs before too), and I actually know what I'm going to eat any given day because I prepare in advance.

As for it taking 21 days; I think it actually takes longer and a lot of trial and error before you find something that works for you. How long (and how many errors) depends on the person and the habit.

alien_type0 wrote: »

Have your cravings tamed?

Do you tend to park further and take the stairs out of habit?

Are your cheat days remarkably still healthier than how you used to eat on a daily basis?

I'm just curious, I've heard the "it takes 21 days to develop a habit" but I never really noticed until recently that I generally eat less and eat healthier. Also I'm super inclined to do the physical labor just to burn some extra calories. Need me to move that prehistoric television? Need me to bench press my son to sleep? I'm on it. /flex

I agree 100%! Love the spirit of your post!

Transformed. Exercise is now a habit. We eat out less, and I join fun run events. My confidence has soared. I crave the same foods but I eat less of them.

My excess calories came primarily from binge snacking and "gotta have ___ NOW" moments. So learning to deal with cravings is the primary factor in my weight loss success/maintenance.

1. When I have an intense craving I usually keep putting it off and it goes away after a while. Sometimes it persists for days but the act of not giving the emotion priority in my life gives me power and control. Eventually I may have that cheeseburger, pizza, BBQ, etc. but then I'm indulging from an emotionally balanced place, not in the midst of some binge frenzy.

2. I've gotten good at imagining the negative results of indulging a craving - like having that fast food breakfast when I wanted it: feeling bloated and crappy from low energy levels, that disappointing feeling knowing I've wasted most of my day's calories on low quality food. The results are almost never worth the 20 minute foodgasm.

3. Evaluating what it is I REALLY want when I get a craving to binge eat. Sometimes a food craving just is what it is, but other times when you find yourself wanting to eat for pure recreation or to mindlessly pass the time there's an underlying emotional need or life stressor that needs to be called out. Food won't really ease job stress, relationship issues, or feelings of loneliness or hopelessness. It's the harder way to truly face these things but it's the healthier way in the long run.