What nobody tells you about losing weight
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Hello, I don't quite have the success story yet but I read this post and love the comments. I wish to congradulate all that have found the right path for them. MFP works and I know it, however, I don't stick to it for the time the process needs. Many of you post about it being easier finally and you found determination or similar statements. My question is how/what clicked to change for you guys because that is what I am trying to find at the moment.3
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lemonsurprise wrote: »Wanted to make this thread for motivationial purposes more than anything but they don't all have to be super positive! More of what came as a surprise. I'll start..
- how much confidence it will actually bring, especially when strangers start treating you like royalty all of a sudden!
- Sitting (particularly in baths) and laying (particularly in beds) will become ever increasingly uncomfortable.
- how vain you will become! I can't walk past a mirror without checking how I look nowadays!
Your turn!
Yes yes and yes. And if you cook your own food to be more accurate, I summed it up once as: planning, shopping, chopping, slicing, dicing, cutting, peeling, weighing, cooking
I so agree with how much of the mind cycles and time are consumed in the process and making sure that it continues to work!1 -
trailgirl777 wrote: »Hello, I don't quite have the success story yet but I read this post and love the comments. I wish to congradulate all that have found the right path for them. MFP works and I know it, however, I don't stick to it for the time the process needs. Many of you post about it being easier finally and you found determination or similar statements. My question is how/what clicked to change for you guys because that is what I am trying to find at the moment.
I knew I needed to change my lifestyle permanently when last April, I went on a trip with my mom for my birthday and I was in pain pinched on narrow exit row seats that had a sharp corner digging into my thigh! I like to travel a lot and not fitting in the seat was a shocking wake up call. I had to extend the seatbelt strap all the way too. I just HAD to change permanently! I got a Garmin Vivofit that I started using May 1 and mid May, I discovered MFP, other tools and have been learning and adding more and more as I could handle the changes. It had to be a new lifestyle. I have lost 77 lbs so far, 48 to go! I now live working out and eating healthy!
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trailgirl777 wrote: »Hello, I don't quite have the success story yet but I read this post and love the comments. I wish to congradulate all that have found the right path for them. MFP works and I know it, however, I don't stick to it for the time the process needs. Many of you post about it being easier finally and you found determination or similar statements. My question is how/what clicked to change for you guys because that is what I am trying to find at the moment.
I think you have to hit your "bottom." Ten years ago it was standing on the scale and being 140 pounds. (I'm 5'1" and I was 110 naturally without effort while in living in the Czech Republic.) I set my goal to lose 30 and did. But that was a constant diet in Missouri. So after 10 years, I had gained it back, and more. So that was my next wake-up call this last April. I'm 43 and I weight 147.4. Yikes. Way too close to 150. So this time I set a goal that was more doable: 125. I logged here almost every day. I gave myself 1 day off a month (no worries on going over on that day) and kept my calorie budget as tightly as I could. I got a Fitbit and started really walking. I want to reach my 10K goal on that every day, which is a challenge on a winter weekend in my little house.
So, what is your wake-up call? What it is that says, enough! I didn't like buying size 10 clothes when I knew I was really a size 6. So it was great getting down to where I could wear most of my closet again! Is it the number on the scale, like it was for me? Is it seeing yourself in pictures and thinking "I look wide." I didn't like that.
Or maybe set some sub-goals and stick with it long enough to reach the first. Like one dress-size lost. Then put on those one-size down clothes! When I finally put on my new new formal, I was so happy! I got lots of comments on it at the opera, too. At 126, I couldn't wear it. At 123, I could! I like the way I look now, mostly. I don't look wide in photos. People comment on my skinniness (and I'm not even 110, but more like 118.). Let those feelings help you stay motivated to keep it up! (Wait, didn't I say my goal was 125? It was. To maintain, I kept my 1500 calories per day budget. I can live on it without feeling deprived. This is where it has taken me. Still losing but way, way slower. And I'm good with where I am if I stopped losing altogether at that point. 118-119 is a nice spot!)
Make friends here who can cheer you on and encourage you.4 -
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I can relate to this. People often tell me how I am so lucky. I have a great saying for this " I know it's crazy isn't it? The harder I work the luckier I get" [/quote]
Love this, Definitely going to use it!
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That's funny. I live in AZ and I work inside so I rarely ever wore a jacket. Now I wear one every morning.0 -
I started my own MFP journey almost 90lbs ago & have found this thread to be not only encouraging but on those days I don’t think I can keep going, it’s probably the only reason I do. Please keep your posts coming.
Side effects for me are both positive and, well, unexpected. Collar bones, ribs and a spine? Who would have thought! Extreme cold, a new love of fashion and shopping, and realising reflective surfaces can be very distracting. I love working out & get super cranky if I miss a day, and I have found a new appreciation for just how many calories foods actually contain.
The biggest thing I’ve encountered is the reaction, or non-reaction, of others. Mostly positive, sometimes negative, and often nothing at all. Positive feedback is great because I generally don’t see myself as others see me but I’m pretty sure I look much better now. I’m not keen on the negative stuff – don’t tell me when I should stop losing weight, I don’t seem to recall telling you that you’re obese. And as for those who choose to say nothing, I guess until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes, then you’ll never understand that sometimes that’s the worst one of all.
Every day is a battle which I know each and every MFP user understands. We are all in this together, and it makes me so happy knowing there are others out there who are also striving to make a change for the better. Congratulations to us all for having the will power to start, the strength to continue, and the courage to share with others xx
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I don't know that I've ever posted on here, but I read this thread almost every night - thanks to all of you for helping to keep me motivated!! I love and agree with everything I've read. I've lost 50 pounds total over about 2 years, but got a Fitbit last December and within the last year I have changed my life in so many ways. I'm 54 and have been overweight most of my adult life, so I feel like I'm starting all over, and this time it's much more fun.
I love buying new clothes -and not in the plus section! I bought my first pair of size 10 jeans (I know - vanity sizing, but I WAS in an 18, so I don't care!) and can wear a M/L top, so I can buy just about anything, and I'm loving it! Today I took my daughter to lunch and the booths there are old wooden church pews. For the first time I noticed that my butt has gotten rather bony, and the muscles on the back of my thighs are hard! I bought a rocking chair a couple years ago that I fixed up, then realized that no-one in my family could fit their large rear into it. Guess what? I'm using it now and I fit just fine.
My body has been around a long time and will probably always have lumps and bumps, but I will wear them proudly. At my age, I can only fix so much.....No-one told me I could feel this good and actually enjoy exercise and healthy (mostly) eating! I think I can do this forever .
Thank you all for the motivation you never knew you were giving me - keep it up!15 -
I never imagined that at 47 I would feel better and fitter than when I was 17. Although I was skinny then I wasn't anywhere near as fit as I am now. I couldn't have run 6 miles then but I can now and have done so several times.
It's funny that when I was skinny I never noticed I had a collar bone or hip bones. I never paid attention to them. Now I can't leave them alone.7 -
Dave_GettingFit wrote: »I never imagined that at 47 I would feel better and fitter than when I was 17. Although I was skinny then I wasn't anywhere near as fit as I am now. I couldn't have run 6 miles then but I can now and have done so several times.
It's funny that when I was skinny I never noticed I had a collar bone or hip bones. I never paid attention to them. Now I can't leave them alone.
This! I was just telling my husband that I think I'm fitter now than I was when I was 20. I was always thin, but didn't exercise, didn't like sports, never stepped foot in a gym until this year. Now I love exercising, and get very grouchy when I miss a day. I can't imagine ever going back to what I was before!0 -
And as for those who choose to say nothing, I guess until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes, then you’ll never understand that sometimes that’s the worst one of all.
Every day is a battle which I know each and every MFP user understands. We are all in this together, and it makes me so happy knowing there are others out there who are also striving to make a change for the better. Congratulations to us all for having the will power to start, the strength to continue, and the courage to share with others xx
I know exactly what you mean. Two of my closest friends have said *absolutely nothing* about my change in shape. I know I can't expect everyone to notice but it's pretty obvious - people who see me every day have commented so surely it should be noticeable to people I only see every month or so. I shouldn't allow other people to make me feel bad but... it hurts!2 -
icemaiden37 wrote: »
I know exactly what you mean. Two of my closest friends have said *absolutely nothing* about my change in shape. I know I can't expect everyone to notice but it's pretty obvious - people who see me every day have commented so surely it should be noticeable to people I only see every month or so. I shouldn't allow other people to make me feel bad but... it hurts!
To icemaiden37, I have had the same experience from both friends and family. I think sometimes it may be jealousy, and sometimes people just don't want to say the wrong thing. But please take heart from knowing that the thousands of people who have read or posted here walk your journey with you. We all support & understand your ups and downs, even if others don't. Hold your head high and strive to achieve your goals, because at the end of the day the only person you need to please is you xx2 -
When i first started losing weight, i dispised logging food and exercise. Seemed so tedious and time consuming.
Now days however, logging for the following day is kinda fun. Especially when you have a variety of foods to pick from. Like a fun online strategy puzzle game, mix and match foods, calories/macros until you have successfully kept everything out of the red.7 -
That you end up with too many hangars as you purge your clothes, lol4
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KareninLux wrote: »That you end up with too many hangars as you purge your clothes, lol
Yes, but dont get rid of those... lol - you will end up replacing them with tons of new clothes as you find you can buy clothes you LIKE instead of those that just happen to FIT.3 -
The difficulty of feeling so proud of yourself as you meet those short term goals, then realizing that to the outside world you are still just a "fat" person.12
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icemaiden37 wrote: »
And as for those who choose to say nothing, I guess until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes, then you’ll never understand that sometimes that’s the worst one of all.
Every day is a battle which I know each and every MFP user understands. We are all in this together, and it makes me so happy knowing there are others out there who are also striving to make a change for the better. Congratulations to us all for having the will power to start, the strength to continue, and the courage to share with others xx
I know exactly what you mean. Two of my closest friends have said *absolutely nothing* about my change in shape. I know I can't expect everyone to notice but it's pretty obvious - people who see me every day have commented so surely it should be noticeable to people I only see every month or so. I shouldn't allow other people to make me feel bad but... it hurts!
I've lost almost 5 stone in the last couple of years and one of my closest friends hasn't mentioned it to me at all. She can't not have noticed I look completely different. I used to be a (UK) 18 and I'm now a 10.
I think its for a number of reasons
1. Not knowing how to say it without making it sound like i looked terrible beforehand (i mean i know i did but it can be a bit awkward)
2. Those you are closest too probably don't notice the changes as much as those that you don't see as often as we look beyond how they look and just see the person they are
3. Jealousy, maybe not always but in this case i think its partly that I was always the 'fat friend' and now I'm smaller then her (although not by much) and get a lot of attention that she previously got and I don't think she likes it as I think she knew that going out with me in the past would mean that all of the attention was focused on her.
4. She's not into exercise at all so probably doesn't bring it up as its not something she thinks about. Just because I'm slightly obsessed doesn't mean everyone is and as we never talked about it before why would we now?
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icemaiden37 wrote: »
And as for those who choose to say nothing, I guess until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes, then you’ll never understand that sometimes that’s the worst one of all.
Every day is a battle which I know each and every MFP user understands. We are all in this together, and it makes me so happy knowing there are others out there who are also striving to make a change for the better. Congratulations to us all for having the will power to start, the strength to continue, and the courage to share with others xx
I know exactly what you mean. Two of my closest friends have said *absolutely nothing* about my change in shape. I know I can't expect everyone to notice but it's pretty obvious - people who see me every day have commented so surely it should be noticeable to people I only see every month or so. I shouldn't allow other people to make me feel bad but... it hurts!
I've lost almost 5 stone in the last couple of years and one of my closest friends hasn't mentioned it to me at all. She can't not have noticed I look completely different. I used to be a (UK) 18 and I'm now a 10.
I think its for a number of reasons
1. Not knowing how to say it without making it sound like i looked terrible beforehand (i mean i know i did but it can be a bit awkward)
2. Those you are closest too probably don't notice the changes as much as those that you don't see as often as we look beyond how they look and just see the person they are
3. Jealousy, maybe not always but in this case i think its partly that I was always the 'fat friend' and now I'm smaller then her (although not by much) and get a lot of attention that she previously got and I don't think she likes it as I think she knew that going out with me in the past would mean that all of the attention was focused on her.
4. She's not into exercise at all so probably doesn't bring it up as its not something she thinks about. Just because I'm slightly obsessed doesn't mean everyone is and as we never talked about it before why would we now?
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HappyCampr1 wrote: »The difficulty of feeling so proud of yourself as you meet those short term goals, then realizing that to the outside world you are still just a "fat" person.
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The difficulty of feeling so proud of yourself as you meet those short term goals, then realizing that to the outside world you are still just a "fat" person.
Oh yes. I relate strongly to this one. ...after losing the initial 10-15 lbs and feeling AMAZING only to realize that, well, you're still "fat"8
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