Live the Life (LTL) Monday 19 Dec 2016
Jimb376mfp
Posts: 6,236 Member
Everyone says it, but just how do you do it? How do you take the guidelines of the WW program and turn them into a lifestyle you can live every day...from now on? That is what we are here to explore. Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Newbie? Join in! Veteran? Join in! Your thoughts may be just what someone else needs to hear.
Monday --Jimb376mfp (Jim)
Tuesday -- misterhub (Greg)
Wednesday -- minimyzeme (Kim)
Thursday -- leeless511 (Lee)
Friday -- GadgetGirlIL (Regina)
Today's topic: Most Common Misconceptions about Weight Loss (WL).
I am coming up on my four year anniversary on WW (this FINAL time) in Jan. I have learned a lot about WL in losing 148# over the past four year stretch. Now when I hear, read or observe other people's misconceptions about "dieting", WL or what is healthy I ask myself; "Should I comment?"
Being on line here on MFP and on WW Connect I see people struggling and I think if they only knew what I have learned the hard way over four years time. I sometimes try to impart some encouraging words but usually think I'll leave it be.
1. Which are the most common misconceptions you have encountered on line or IRL regarding WL or your own personal WL journey?
2. Do you try to educate or explain why to others why their ideas are wrong?
Monday --Jimb376mfp (Jim)
Tuesday -- misterhub (Greg)
Wednesday -- minimyzeme (Kim)
Thursday -- leeless511 (Lee)
Friday -- GadgetGirlIL (Regina)
Today's topic: Most Common Misconceptions about Weight Loss (WL).
I am coming up on my four year anniversary on WW (this FINAL time) in Jan. I have learned a lot about WL in losing 148# over the past four year stretch. Now when I hear, read or observe other people's misconceptions about "dieting", WL or what is healthy I ask myself; "Should I comment?"
Being on line here on MFP and on WW Connect I see people struggling and I think if they only knew what I have learned the hard way over four years time. I sometimes try to impart some encouraging words but usually think I'll leave it be.
1. Which are the most common misconceptions you have encountered on line or IRL regarding WL or your own personal WL journey?
2. Do you try to educate or explain why to others why their ideas are wrong?
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Replies
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This topic came to me when my 92 yo water aerobics instructor commented that she plans on losing some weight next year. Followed by "I'm going to eat BIG salads." Then she told me how "Bread" was her downfall. I just listened and thought good luck with that "plan".
The idea of eating salads as a panacea for losing weight is a common misconception. The idea of going through life eating salad usually last about a month AT MOST!
Another one I see a lot on WW Connect is the poster who gets very upset with a WI gain after working out at the gym 3X or 4X a week! The idea that going to the gym results in WL is very popular, I think it's something you can brag about. How many people brag "I ate only my allotted points/calories today! Yeah Me!
The one lesson I had to learn over and over again is that WL is NOT linear. A friend of mine recently said "I want (plan?) to lose ten pounds a month to attend her niece's wedding next June. Making personal time/weight loss goals is frustrating at best. I have set some long term goals but as far as when they are achieved will depend on so many factors I have accepted the fact that as long as I don't quit doing what I know is the Better Choice I will continue toward my goals.0 -
When it comes to weight loss, it seems there are more misconceptions than accurate information pout there. Tough to pick a most common theme. In WW I lost track of the number of times I heard (or read on line) that people who had stalled in their weight loss needed to eat more of their points so that they would lose weight. I have never figured out how people thought that particular alchemy was supposed to work, but it just keeps coming back. Heck, I have even heard it espoused by WW MLs.0
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1. Which are the most common misconceptions you have encountered on line or IRL regarding WL or your own personal WL journey?
That it "ends". It never ends. So many people focus on reaching that "goal weight". Yes it feels great. But nothing changes.
2. Do you try to educate or explain why to others why their ideas are wrong?
No. I gave up a long time ago.
It's like teaching a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig. (compliments of a former boss of mine; but words which I remind myself of frequently).1 -
@beachwoman2006 said my thoughts way more eloquently than I ever could.
I sure thought I was cured when lost 40 pounds at age 16. Ha, ha, ha. Gains/losses of 110, 130, and 50 pounds over the next few decades proved the fallacy of that thinking.0 -
I tend not to post on general threads and only give my advice if someone asks me.
Common misconceptions I see:
1) Women must eat 1200 calories a day to lose weight (most likely they need to intake more than that or suffer the consequences of being hangry, binging, and/or giving up).
2) I "gained" muscle this week which is why the scale is up (unless you are lifting heavy and in a "bulking" phase, chances are your gain is at best glycogen in the muscles)
3) Once I lose this weight I can go back to "normal" eating. (Whatever you do when you lose weight you need to carry on into maintenance or those lost pounds will likely find you again)
4) Sugar is poison/Wheat is poison/Fad ingredient of the day is poison (None of these things are poison-celiacs aside- just eat them in moderation)
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Like others I find that excluding one food group to the benefit of others is one big mistake. Of course moderation and of course don't drink all your calories but excluding one of the pyramid foods makes no sense.
Cindy is right about the never ends. I was lucky as I never set a specific goal or "ending point" other than to change my behavior towards foods. How could I possibly know what my "endpoint" might be ahead of time??
Oh yeah eating more and more calories/points to lose more is certainly one of the biggest myths as Dave points out. It can help a bit to prevent bingeing and being honest. True. Also eating more of the steamed veggies and the like can help but more points??? Uh not so much.
So did I have a "wheat belly" or a "beer belly"?? Or a "pizza belly" or just an "I ate too much" belly.0 -
1. Which are the most common misconceptions you have encountered on line or IRL regarding WL or your own personal WL journey?
* I see misunderstanding of the scale and the number that shows up and how it became that number. I see posts stating "I gained & I know why" but the explanation does not necessarily make sense or seem correct based on what I know.
* This is more of a gut feel, but it seems those who have not tried WW attach some stigma to it. Like "I could never do that..." etc. Whereas they will embrace diets revolving around food combinations, food group elimination, vegetarianism etc.
2. Do you try to educate or explain why to others why their ideas are wrong?
* I sometimes try to educate...more often I don't because it is such a mental things that it's hard to break through. I did recently create a post on WW Connect to look at trends versus reacting to a gain or even a good loss. If you understand your trend that is a really great way to eliminate emotion and stay the course.1 -
@podkey - at the moment I have a sweets belly! And today's potluck at work did nothing to help it.
On a positive note, I sent the leftover sweets that I brought home with others. They need a new belly to attach themselves to ;-)
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Misconception- I'm gonna load up on motivation, get disciplined and beat myself into submission until I lose X lbs by Y date because I just gotta do it. I really mean it.
Response- sometimes I would get in this, sometimes not. The gotta do it, motivation and discipline blitz folks are generally just going to do what they are going to do.0 -
In addition to what's already been said, the one that stands out in my mind is when people proclaim 'X Pounds Gone Forever!'. Obviously, it's not gone forever unless one continues to be mindful of their choices, etc.
Whether I say anything depends on the context. These days I'm more likely to read it than hear it. I sometimes offer words of caution just as a reality check, but most of the time, just let it go. I figure people will find out soon enough that as @crewahl told me, 'You're not cured; you're just a fat man in remission'.1 -
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In the Chicago market there is a radio add playing that says something like "you're not fat, you're just bloated. Take this pill and eliminate that sludge that has built up in your system." Oh, and to make it more appealling they add, "if you lose too much weight, only take this pill every other day"
What a load of ****1 -
The biggest misconception is that there is some way out there to defy the basic underpinnings of weight management. In other words, that there is some magic that doesn't require eating less to lose weight.
Do I try to convince others of their errant thinking? Well, if you've been around here long enough, you know the answer to *that* question.0 -
Jimb376mfp wrote: »
@Jimb376mfp , I wish I knew! I know he had some knee work done mid-late summer, got busy with work in early fall and after that he fell off my radar. I keep hoping he'll make his way back here!2
This discussion has been closed.